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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

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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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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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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Opa Locka, FL
Removal of leaves before transplanting
Before transplanting a plant, is it a good idea to remove leaves?
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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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Miami, FL
Non-native ixora full of weeds in Miami FL
My Ixoras are full of weeds look like some kind of berry. Is there a way to get rid of them?
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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
Removing leaves before transplanting from Miami
What is good idea to remove some leaves before transplanting a plant??
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Miami, FL
Palm trees turning orange in Miami
Why are my palm trees turning orange?
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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
Groundcovers for Miami FL
What is a ground cover that does not need mowing or a lot of water and survives in South Florida heat and is also native to the area? I would like to turn my lawn into a more natural self-sustaining a...
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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
is the rainbow Eucalyptus poisonous to horses in FL?
Is the Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree poisonous to horses?
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Miami, FL
Miami gardener needs to know toxicity of Cordia boissieri
Hello. I have a question about Cordia boissieri. Is it toxic for humans (all parts of the plant)? I want to plant it in South Florida, in an area with children.
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Miami, FL
Placement of lemon cypress tree in Miami, FL
Where is the best place to have a lemon cypress tree? indoors or out? Presently in south Miami climate, Scott's potting soil, clay pot, with good drainage.
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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
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
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
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
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
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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