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.
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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
Sunny Isles Beach, FL
Florida hanging vine with occasional red tongue-like leaves
I live in south Florida and I used to grow a hanging vine that had green slender leaves and an occasional red leaf that looked like a tongue that protruded horizontally from the plant. do you know wha...
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North Miami Beach, FL
Mosquito repellant plant?
Is there such a thing as mosquito repellent plants? If so, what are they?
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North Miami Beach, FL
Identification of shrub in Florida
Hello Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have a question about identifying some bushes. The bushes I have seen through areas of Florida and they seem to be used most often as natural fences. These are the charac...
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Biscayne Park, FL
Wild flowers in North Texas for October wedding from Biscayne FL
I am getting married in north Texas in October. I want to use wild flowers in addition to daisies. Which ones are in bloom in early oct? I've heard using flowers in season are more reasonably priced....
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Opa Locka, FL
Removal of leaves before transplanting
Before transplanting a plant, is it a good idea to remove leaves?
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Edgewater, FL
Sap from agave causing reactions from Edgewater FL
Not only was I stuck with the century plant thorns and needle like ends when I was digging up its pups, but I also broke the carrot-like root of a few when I was transplanting and got the white sap on...
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Davie, FL
Identification of wildflowers in Wyoming
I have taken some photos of wildflowers in Wyoming and although I have looked in several books and this website, I am still unable to identify a few. 1) very small white and lt. blue flower with 5 sep...
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Davie, FL
Seeding south Florida native wildflower meadow
Information about seeding a south Florida native wildflower meadow. Have only found information north Florida.
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Miami, FL
Vine with red berries in North Carolina
I found a plant/ vine pink teardrop with red berries in the Pusgah Forest in North Carolina and no on knows the name of it. I have a photo, can you help?
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Miami, FL
Does music affect growth of necklace pod plants?
Does music affect the growth of the necklace pod plants?
this is for a science project! Please help!
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Miami, FL
Edible Plants of Florida
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants
My name is Gabriel Bedoya; Im anthropologist, with large experience in research of traditional culinary, symbolic systems and native kitchens. Due to my experience in those s...
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Miami, FL
Purchase source for non-native Aerva Lanata plant
I am looking for a place where I could buy the Aerva Lanata Plant, would you happen to know?
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Miami, FL
Groundcovers for Miami, FL
I live in Miami, Florida. I have a medium size Bismarck Palm in my front yard. What would be a good ground cover other than grass around this palm?
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Miami, FL
Shriveling agave from Miami Florida
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Most upset - My beautiful agave (wish I could have submitted an image) has stared to misbehave. The once first liquid filled leaves, are starting to look more like the skin ...
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Miami, FL
Locating ruda plants in Florida
Where I can find or who sells Ruda plants?
in the Miami, Florida area ?
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Miami, FL
What is more important for plant growth; sunlight, water, soil or what?
What is more important for plant growth generally. Sunlight, water, good soil what ? please write back I need an answer I am 13 doing a science project.
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Miami, FL
Information about non-native Night Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)
Hello, I have been trying to identify a shrub that has been in my backyard for many years, and I happened to come across your website. I was able to identify the plant as Night-Blooming Jasmine, but t...
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Miami, FL
Non-native Ruda plant drying up in Florida
I have a RUDA plant at work, but do not know if I am putting too much water on it, it is about 1 meter high but I think is drying up. How often do I water it? I'm in Miami Fl.
Thank you.
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Miami, FL
is the rainbow Eucalyptus poisonous to horses in FL?
Is the Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree poisonous to horses?
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Miami, FL
Removing leaves before transplanting from Miami
What is good idea to remove some leaves before transplanting a plant??
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Miami, FL
Problems with non-native Canary Date Palms from Miami FL
Hi: The fronts of my canary date palm, which I planted about 6 years ago, has been getting brown from the bottom of the tree and working itself towards the top for the past several months now. The b...
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