Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Questions From Near You

Gladstone, VA
Non-native banana trees
I recently planted two types of Banana trees, a Darjeeling and a Giant Nepal. I know that both are hardy to my zone 7 but that the Nepal needed heavy mulching. My first question is how long will it ta...
view the full question and answer

Lynchburg, VA
Plants for steep slope in Virginia
Please help! Looking for landscaping ideas for a very large Steep hill. Features: slope is approximately 45-60 degrees, clay soil mixed with fill dirt, lots of deer, partial sun, seeking minimal maint...
view the full question and answer

Farmville, VA
Volunteer bluebonnets in Farmville VA
I have two small Texas bluebonnet plants that came with no instructions as to how to plant them regarding soil or sun. Everything I read has to do with seeds, can you please help me? Thank you.
view the full question and answer

Buena Vista, VA
Smarty Plants on fungal attack
I have three plants that have been getting fungus on their soil and I've tried to get rid of it by scraping it off, watering it less and more sunlight. It's two coleus and a begonia. I don't know...
view the full question and answer

Buena Cista, VA
Plants native to South Florida and the Caribbean
What are the plants native to South Florida and the Caribbean?
view the full question and answer

buena vista, VA
Herbalism and Native American EthnoBotany
What plants cure diarrhea?
view the full question and answer

Cumberland, VA
Plant identification
Found thorny bush in woods near my home that I need to identify. It is a tall shrub (approx. 10 feet) that has very large thorns on its green branches. I don't see any flowers yet. It doesn't appear...
view the full question and answer

Natural Bridge Station, BC
Source for seeds of non-native poinsettias from British Columbia
Hello, I would like to grow my own Christmas poinsettias from seed. Do you know where I may be able to purchase seeds?
view the full question and answer

Waynesboro, VA
Could hickory leaves be used as seasoning from Waynesboro VA
I have a hickory tree. If I pull a leaf off and rip it then smell, there is a strong wonderful scent of hickory much like when I rip a mint leaf there is a strong smell of mint. So my question is, can...
view the full question and answer

Waynesboro, VA
Plants for birds in Virginia
Hi there, I would like to plant some bird-friendly shrubs in my backyard, here in the Shenandoah Valley. I have read that birds like winterberries, and I think they are gorgeous. But, this is mid-Fe...
view the full question and answer

Crozet, VA
Short evergreen shrub for Virginia
I have been looking everywhere for an evergreen shrub that is 3-4 ft. in height, non-poisonous to humans, and that thrives in zone 7 to no avail. Please help!
view the full question and answer

Charlottesville, VA
Can Crataegus viridian be grown in Houston, TX?
I am looking to plant Crataegus viridis (species or cultivar "Winter King") at a location in full sun in Houston. Many places I've found online say that it is hearty through Zone 9, but others have...
view the full question and answer

Charlottesville, VA
Riverbank retention in VA
I need some groundcover/bank retention for a Virginia riverbank in mixed sun and shade. I want to plant something native to VA. the area is out of the water but subject to occasional (4-5 times per y...
view the full question and answer

Charlottesville, VA
Plants for a bank too steep to mow
Like the inquiry made in late June of 2008, mine involves a bank that is too steep to mow. However, ours is facing south. I am looking for a native grass, plant or groundcover. Any suggestions? ...
view the full question and answer

Charlottesville, VA
Sources for Paronychia virginica in Virginia
Greetings, I noticed that you have Paronychia virginica for sale in your spring plant sale. Despite the plant sharing the name of my fair state, I've been unable to find a source for it. Given...
view the full question and answer

Charlottesville, VA
Non-native impatiens from Charlottesville VA
Question about type of impatiens. My Alabama mother grew these and called them touch-me-not. They grow about 2 feet tall and blooms grow UNDER the leaf canopy up the stem. Colors I have are pale pink ...
view the full question and answer

Charlottesville, VA
Tip Dieback on Lonicera sempervirens
I have a Lonicera sempervirens (coral honeysuckle) vine in Virginia which does well early in the season, but then around July, the very tips of its shoots (just the last 1-2 inches) wither, turn black...
view the full question and answer

Charlottesville, VA
Purple Passionflower as a native in Charlottesville VA
Is it possible to grow purple passion flower as a perennial in zone 7? I am looking for hummers and butterflies to be attracted by the plant. Thank you.
view the full question and answer

Charlottesville, VA
Plant to hang over and cover a wall
HI! this is a stumper for me! I have a 6 foot wall bracing a hill on one side and a lawn on the other. It is currently cement and I would like to find something to cover it --evergreen would be the...
view the full question and answer

Charlottesville, VA
A tree for fall color in VA
I need a small to medium-sized tree for enclosure/privacy screening. I'm looking for a fast-growing, deciduous tap-rooted tree for a lawn area about 30-40' away from an existing mature Linden, and ...
view the full question and answer

Charlottesville, VA
Edible Plants for a Virginia Rain Garden
Can you recommend edible plants that would be appropriate for use in a rain garden? I'm located in Charlottesville, VA, but this can be in general as well.
view the full question and answer