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.
Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.
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
Winter Park, FL
Groundcover for Orange County, Florida
I live in Central FL (Winter Park)and I have a small, mostly sunny (no trees) backyard next to a large in-ground swimming pool which fills up with the leaves of my neighbor's oak trees. The backyard ...
view the full question and answer
Winter Park, FL
Drought tolerant ground cover for Winter Park, FL
I'm looking to replace my lawn with a drought tolerant ground cover. I do not have a watering system.
view the full question and answer
Maitland, FL
Growing bluebonnets from seed in Maitland FL
Can I grow bluebonnets from seed in Maitland? The soil is quite sandy, and I do have sunny, dry places to grow them.
Are there any special requirements necessary away from their native habitat?
view the full question and answer
Maitland, FL
Wildflower programs on our highways
Do you have any statistics about the wildflower program on our highways? We are wanting information about economic savings by not mowing so much, or pollution reduction by not mowing. Any help would...
view the full question and answer
Orlando, FL
Seed planting of Crossvine from Orlando FL
Seed planting of Bignonia capreolata - Tangerine Beauty. I have seed pods. Do I plant how deep and should I put in a plastic bag with a wet papertowel in the refrigerator and let it sprout? ...
view the full question and answer
orlando, FL
Availability of non-native Elijah blue fescue
I'm looking for Elijah blue fescue. Do you sell?
view the full question and answer
Orlando, FL
Groundcover plants for erosion problem in Orlando
Hi, I live in Orlando, and have a terrible erosion problem on one side of my back yard. Every time it rains, I lose my yard under the fence! The area is part sun. Can you please suggest a plant or ...
view the full question and answer
Orlando, FL
Nut tree for Florida
Hi!
I would like to plant a nut tree in Orlando, FL. What would you recommend?
view the full question and answer
orlando, FL
Treatment of mealy bugs on house plants
I have some house plants that have a "fungi" that has appeared and spread from one to the others. I believe it is killing the plants. It is a white fuzz the is sticky to the touch. when i whip it...
view the full question and answer
Orlando, FL
Seeds and seed pods of bluejacket (Tradescantia ohiensis or Hyacinthus orientalis
I have lots of bluejacket flowers in my yard. I keep looking for the seed pods but can't find any seeds. Where are the seed pods located on the bluejacket flower? Thanks.
Lew Dallas
view the full question and answer
Orlando, FL
Thorny plant for fenceline security
What kind of thorny plant or vine would you suggest to place along a fence for security purposes
view the full question and answer
Orlando, FL
Health of pond cypress
Is there a common reason pond cypress trees vary greatly in their apparent health in similar conditions? I have 7 of them on my property, only two look healthy, one died and fell down recently. The lo...
view the full question and answer
Orlando, FL
Native plants to replace St. Augustine over septic area
Hi. We're new to Orlando, FL and need some help with plants that would be suitable to grow over our septic field. It's on the west side of the house, full sun.
We live in a subdivision that r...
view the full question and answer
Orlando, FL
Will the blooming stalk of my century plant eventually tip over? Yes
I have a century plant in bloom. Will the stalk eventually tip over? Would appreciate any Internet references on the subject.
view the full question and answer
Orlando, FL
Care of Ixora by lowering soil pH
I have a bunch of Ixoras that the leaves are turning brown, before I pull them out, is there any kind of treatment to save them? I have used insecticidal soap several times but there has been no impro...
view the full question and answer
Orlando, FL
Fertilizer burns on non-native St. Augustine grass
We put summer guard fertilizer on our lush St. Augustine grass and it didn't get watered in after application. As a result we have burned the yard badly in patches. What can we do to correct proble...
view the full question and answer
altamonte springs, FL
Care of non-native Navel Orange tree
What kind of care does a Navel Orange tree need? Mine looks really bad this year, not much fruit and small fruit.
view the full question and answer
Winter Springs, FL
Care of lemon cypress from Winter Springs FL
Please send me information on care of lemon cypress plant. I have one in small container on my patio. Should I take it in the house? Send any helpful information on its care. Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Oviedo, FL
Why won't my Jacaranda flower in Oviedo, FL?
I have a Jacaranda tree that is 12 years old and and nearly 30 feet tall. It is a beautiful healthy tree that has never produced flowers. How can I get my tree to bloom?
Thank you
view the full question and answer
Ocoee, FL
Plant identification for Florida
I am looking for the name of a plant that has long stalks and wispy long leaves with large round purple flowers on the end.
view the full question and answer
Winter Garden, FL
Plants for pool area in Florida
My husband and I have a pool with 4 planters and are looking for plants that we can put into our screened in pool area. We live in Central Florida and looking for ideas of plants that are slow growin...
view the full question and answer