Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers Nan Hampton, Jimmy Mills and Barbara Medford to be the culpable and capable parties. Yet, others think staff members Damon Waitt, Joe Marcus and Philip Hawkins might play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Questions From Near You
Goldsboro, NC
Holding soil on a bank in Goldsboro, NC
I live in Goldsboro, NC on a small ridge with a very steep bank on one side of our property. What native plants can we plant on the bank to help hold the soil. Also, what would be best to plant on t...
view the full question and answer
Goldsboro, NC
Correcting overgrown Savannah holly in Goldsboro NC
I have an overgrown Savannah Holly. How do I go about correcting?
view the full question and answer
Goldsboro, NC
Transplanting an immature Sweet Bay Magnolia
Hi Mr. Smarty Pants:
I just found what I think is a Magnolia Sweet Bay growing wild next to an oak and a pine tree in my back wooded yard. It has blooms on it and is about 2 feet tall. There are tw...
view the full question and answer
Goldsboro, NC
Fast growing shade tree for Goldsboro NC
What is a good tree to plant in Goldsboro North Carolina to provide shade and a fast growing tree?
view the full question and answer
Goldsboro, NC
Identification of strange tiny creature in plant water
I have a house plant rooted in water. I has been for over a year and the plant seems healthy, I change the water often and keep it clean. I now have noticed that something is growing it. A fish type o...
view the full question and answer
Kinston, NC
Searching for nursery with yellow nutsedge in NC
I'd like to plant yellow nut sedge as a cover to stop erosion in a lot. Where can I buy yellow nut sedge plants near Kinston, North Carolina? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Kinston, NC
Can Flame Acanthus grow in North Carolina, from Kinston NC
Can I grow the flame acanthus (humming bird bush) in eastern North Carolina. If so where can I find it.
Thanks,
view the full question and answer
Clayton, NC
Safe branch length of oaks in Clayton NC
I have 2 very large oak trees in my yard and I am concerned about the length of the branches over the house and driveway. Most seem larger than 4" in diameter. What is a safe length for these branc...
view the full question and answer
clayton, NC
Need a good plant for Clayton, NC.
What would be a good plant for Clayton,NC for this time of year. I would like for it to come back every year so I don't have to replant. I have several full sun areas that I need to cover in the fron...
view the full question and answer
Dunn, NC
Native plants for part shade in North Carolina
I'm thinking about planting a border in front of my house. It's on the north side, so it's fairly shady. One of the main problems with this is that I don't like many common shade plants, so it's ...
view the full question and answer
Knightdale, NC
Changing color of non-native crape myrtles
How do you change the color of a bloom on a crape myrtle tree?
view the full question and answer
Knightdale, NC
Need a shrub to conceal a privacy fence in Knightdale, NC.
Could you recommend a medium-sized shrub/bush (max height of 6-7 feet) to plant along a privacy fence (purpose is to conceal the fence from the street view per HOA)? I live in Zone 8.
view the full question and answer
Garner, NC
Need native plants to place in chicken coop in Charolette, NC
Hi, I live near Charlotte, NC. I'm looking for native plants that I can plant in my chicken coop that will produce food for the chickens. If they also produced some delicious food for me, I wouldn't...
view the full question and answer
Garner, NC
Transplant shock in pecan tree in Garner NC
I transplanted a pecan tree about 3 weeks ago & been watering it 3 times a day. The leaves are turning brown & crumbly before I water it. After I water it, the leaves are brown but I can scratch the t...
view the full question and answer
Buies Creek, NC
Why will my Plumbago not bloom in Buies Creek NC?
I purchased a plumbago about two weeks ago with w few old blooms. I pinched them off, and my plant has not bloomed since. I understand they bloom profusely, and have witnessed it myself. Why isn't...
view the full question and answer
Angier, NC
Zinc tolerant plants for sunny area
I have a very high zinc soil in an all day sun area.
Any suggestions as to what kind of flower can I grow successfully?
Zone 8
Thank you
view the full question and answer
cha, NC
Lantana induced rash
What should I use for a rash caused by a Lantana scratch on my arm
view the full question and answer
Wade, NC
Need plants for privacy screening in a campground in Wade, NC.
Landscaping a campground tent area, need evergreen to grow to ground, narrow in width but will reach height for privacy. There is a wooded tree line along wall that produces shade during summer. Any...
view the full question and answer
RALEIGH , NC
Host plant for butterflies in North Carolina
What is the best host plant for butterflies in North Carolina?
view the full question and answer
Raleigh, NC
Problems with non-native crape myrtle from Raleigh NC
I have two crepe myrtles that were planted last year, did well all summer long. We had some freezing weather and this spring their buds are brown with little white flakes(very sparingly) and no leaves...
view the full question and answer
Raleigh, NC
Evergreen shrubs for full sun in North Carolina
We need suggestions for native NC evergreen shrubs that will grow well in full sun for a school garden. Most of what I've found likes part shade. We need something that will not be over 10 feet or ca...
view the full question and answer