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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.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

Questions From Near You

Pleasant Garden, NC
Carolina Jasmine failing to turn green in Pleasant Garden NC
We planted Carolina Jasmine last year and it did great. This Spring we only have about 2-3 small green leaves beginning on the vines. We did not cut them back in the Fall. Is it time for them to be tu...
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Greensboro, NC
Care for non-native mandevilla in Greensboro, NC
I bought two potted mandevilla vines last year and read on a website for winter care to cut the vine back at least a foot from the soil. However this spring going into summer it has barely produced an...
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Greensboro, NC
Patience for slow-growing Baptisia
I have three different varieties of well established Baptisia that I have had for several years ... none of them bloom. One of my plants got a very small flower in April, but just pooped out after th...
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Greensboro, NC
Planting times for aquatic plants from Winston Salem NC
I need to know the correct time of year to plant the following pond plants Swamp Rose Mallow, Southern Blue Iris, Soft Rush, American Bur-reed, American lotus, Woolgrass and Duck Potato Is it better...
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Greensboro, NC
Assistance in photographing Turnera diffusa in Rio Grande Valley
Do you know where I can photograph a specimen of Turnera diffusa Willd. ex J.A. Schultes var. aphrodisiaca? I'll be in Texas in May and it is on my list to try and locate. I understand it grows in ...
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Greensboro, NC
Groundcovers & Shrubs for Shade in North Carolina
Mr Smarty Pants, My neighbor planted cypress trees as a border between his yard and ours and it is sucking up every drop of water and nutrient. We also have a purple plum in the area which creates ...
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Greensboro, NC
Care of butternut trees (Juglans cinerea) with bumpy growths
I have two small butternuts, around 3-4 feet. One has developed very 'bumpy' reddish growths on the leaves that are actually stunting their growth. What do you think it is and what can i do to sto...
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Greensboro, NC
Odor and flavor of oils in Mints as insect repellants
I am trying to find information on "How does mint plants repel insects" It's for my grand daughter's science project. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you
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Archdale, NC
Planting non-native peach seed from Archdale NC
Planting and watering peach seeds. Can you give advice for my 12 year old who has recently planted some peach seeds in our yard in Archdale NC? Is the fall okay for planting? Watering instructions? I...
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Trinity, NC
Information on care and transplant of non-native Bamboo in North Carolina
I am considering transplanting some bamboo from my backyard to my side yard in Northern Randolph County, Central Piedmont, North Carolina. Could you offer me any pointers on a direct ground to gro...
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Ramseur, NC
Non-native Ornithogalum longibracteatum (Pregnant Onion)
Dear Sir, I have a plant called a Pregnant Onion. It looks like an onion and it has babies develop on its body and the surface peals off like an onion. It's leaves grow to about a yard long and th...
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Oak Ridge , NC
Tentative identification of Viola sagittata
I am trying to find name of wildflower, Violet growing in adjoning woods. I have not been able to find it on internet. The non-basal leaves are very irregular in shape, grow to six inches, no two ali...
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Kernersville, NC
Does Wax Myrtle Have a Taproot?
Does a wax myrtle have a taproot?
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Kernersville, NC
Groundcover for Road Frontage in NC
I need a fast growing ground cover or perennial flower for 1,000 feet of road frontage about one acre that will choke out weeds. I do not want to do much ground prep or any ground prep. I do not want...
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Kernersville, NC
Problems with blueberries from Kernersville NC
My blueberry plants have no leaves or scrawny ones. I have 13 plants, 5 of them are like this.
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Graham, NC
Identification of vine with red flower
I have a "vine" that flowers. When it "blooms", it begins with a reddish/yellowish/orange ball about the side of a dime. The ball bursts open and a small red bloom emerges. It looks like a carn...
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Graham, NC
Research on Native vs. Non-Native Plants
I am doing a research project on comparing and analyzing the effects of non-native plants vs. native plants on the environment and surrounding ecosystems. The end result of my project will be to desi...
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Stokesdale, NC
Fast-growing hedge for North Carolina.
I am looking for a fast-grownig evergreen hedge that can be kept no taller than 6 feet. It will be grown in partal sun facing north
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Winston-Salem, NC
Control of invasive vine in North Carolina
Hi, I live in Piedmont NC, have vines that twine around my shrubbery and are impossible to pull out of the ground w/o breaking because they are so thin/delicate. The leaves are maple-like (3 lobes), ...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Need a tree with a tap root for a small flower bed in Winston-Salem, NC..
Dear Mr Smarty Plants, I am looking for a tree 6-10', somewhat spreading, could flower (not essential) to serve as a focal point in a small bed with small shrubs and perennials. I need a tree with ...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Live Oak Leaf Drop in North Carolina
We planted a 15 foot, approx. 3" caliber live oak tree last summer and it seemed very healthy throughout our unusually cold winter in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. (Winston-Salem). Now it's ...
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