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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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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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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

Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Black fungus on non-native ixora from Palm Beach Gardens FL
We have 7-8 ixora plants that are side by side and all have developed a black fungus or substance on them. The substance is not only on the plant, but has spread to the wall they are adjacent to. Ca...
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Jupiter, FL
Chlorine tolerant plants for planters near pool in Florida
I am looking for planting ideas for two planters next to our hot tub/pool. Plants need to withstand chlorine from pool, not attract bees, and take full sun. We are in South Florida. The planters ar...
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west palm beach, FL
Toxicity of non-native, invasive Wedelia trilobata
Could you tell me if Wedelia trilobata is toxic to animals? It grows so voraciously where I am that I am wanting to use the whole plant to feed to my large tortoises (who are also voracious for edibl...
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West palm beach, FL
Plant identification
When we moved in to this house, we planted many plants in the front landscaping. After they grew, it became too crowded. We had to move some plants to the backyard. The problem is, we have a plant tha...
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West Palm Beach, FL
Is non-native Ixora poisonous to horses?
My horse was eating an ixora bush at a park in south florida. Is the Ixora shrub poisonous to horses?
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West Palm Beach, FL
Source for book on Mimosa pudica from West Palm Beach FL
Where can I find the TickleMe Plant Book -the guide for growing the sensitive plant mimosa pudica seeds?This is the plant that plays dead when touched.
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Royal Palm Beach, FL
Care of non-native dracaena potted plant
Last summer I was given a corn plant that stands about 6ft tall. About 2 weeks ago it began to flower. Over time I've had maybe 3 or 4 of these plants and never had any of them bloomed. Is this no...
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Royal Palm Beach, FL
Containerized citrus foliage deformed
I have three 2-year old potted grapefruit trees that have recently developed problems with the emergence of new leaves. The new leaves are stunted, deformed, often with wavy edges. Although it did ...
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Royal Palm Beach, FL
Use of Ilex sp. by Seminole Indians to make black drink.
Ilex myrtifolia: can the leaves be used as tea? Seminole indians made a black drink reputed to be made of holly leaves.
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Palm Beach, FL
Problems with non-native Ficus Pumila
I have successfully maintained Ficus Pumila trees indoors for many years. Over the last year my two indoor,5' (in container) ficus trees have developed large brown lesions that turn "papery" befor...
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Lake Worth, FL
Is black olive (Bucida buchera) toxic to people or dogs?
We have what we think is a black olive tree growing in our front yard, which I keep trimmed to about 4 feet high. A bird dropped the seedling in my garden, so I'm not quite sure it's a black olive,...
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Lake Worth, FL
Need erosion control in Granite Falls, NC
In Granite Falls, NC we have a sloping area at the end of the driveway that needs plants that will keep the ground from eroding. What do you suggest?
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Lake Worth, FL
Fruit fly maggots attacking non-native Grumichama in Lake Worth FL
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants How do I prevent fruit fly maggots from attacking my Grumichama fruit?
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Lake Worth , FL
Nativity of Salvia coccinea (scarlet sage)
Is Salvia coccinea native to Florida? In wikipedia they say it is native to Mexico.
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Atlantis, FL
Illegal to remove an orange blossom from ground in Florida from Atlantis FL
Is there any law that prevents someone from removing an orange blossom from the ground in Florida?
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Boynton Beach, FL
Watering for Scarlett Milkweed in Florida
I have a Scarlett Milkweed and it was doing very well until this last week. It now has yellow leaves that are falling off and no flowers. It says on the tag that the water is low once it is establishe...
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Boynton Beach, FL
Hedge border for Boynton Beach FL
Seek recommendations for planting in zip code 33437: 2-2.5' high, dense formal hedge border: minimal care, full sun, sandy, 1-2x/wk irrigation. Is Ficus Green Island Microcarpa suitable? Other rec...
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Boynton Beach , FL
Source of seeds for non-native euphorbia peplus from Boynton Beach FL
Where can I buy Euphorbia peplus? (milkweed) seeds, sap used in treating skin cancer?
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Delray Beach, FL
Can hazelnut trees grow in South Florida?
Can Hazelnut trees grow in South Florida?
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Delray Beach, FL
Smarty Plants on Gloxinias
How do I care for my newly acquired Gloxinias?
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Delray beach, FL
Problems with hibiscus in Florida
Have a hibiscus in Florida. It has always done beautifully planted in the ground. This year, it has developed something where the branches are sort of white, and the buds (and ends of branches) look ...
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