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
Paisley, FL
Identification of shrub with red berries in Florida
I purchased a plant/shrub at a yard sale in central Fl. They told me it was a native plant. It looks like a holly with the red berries but the leaves are not like a holly. They were all over the yar...
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Sorrento, FL
Identification of a plant with bumpy red fruit
I have a bush with red berry like pods on it. They are about 3/4 of an inch bumpy round with a big seed inside. The leaves are smooth and oval shape. Please let me know if it is poisonous or not, and...
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DeLand, FL
Problems with redbud in DeLand FL
My native Redbud trees leaves are turning yellow and a sucker branch has died. What could it be?
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DeLand, FL
Information about Berlandiera spp. from DeLand FL
I am looking for information (something cool) about green eyes,
Berlandiera spp. Information such as any medical use or story associated with the plant. Thanks
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Deland, FL
Slow growing, non-native Viburnum sandanqua in Deland FL
Hi. I live in central FL, and planted sandankwa viburnum as a hedge 3 years ago. I was told they would grow quickly, but they are growing very slowly, although they look healthy with deep green leaves...
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Orange City, FL
Wildflowers for a shady yard in Orange City, FL
Hello,
I am trying to plant wildflowers in my tree-shaded backyard that will not only kill the existing grass, but will also withstand the winter freezes in central Florida.
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Cassadaga, FL
Lantana poisonous to people, animals
Mr. Smarty Plants,
I read your response to the woman with the cow eating her plants over her neighbors fence. Just so you know- Lantana is poisionous. To humans and cattle. You recommended it as a...
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Deltona, FL
Low temperature non-native Bauhinia variegata can withstand in Florida
I have a Bauhinia variegata,I reside in Florida. What is the temp it can withstand in winter? And if it is below freezing, what can be done to protect them from freezing?
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Deltona, FL
Trees to replace some non-native invasives in Deltona FL
I would like to replace 3 large ChinaBerry & 3 large Chinese Tallow trees in my good sized back yard with some local wildlife friendly trees native to the Deltona area(first area.) What do you recomme...
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deltona, FL
Pruning of Bauhinia lunarioides
I have a Bauhinia variegata..when is the best time to prune it? it tends to grow horizontally..where do you clip off the limbs?
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Deltona, FL
Freeze damage to non-native Philodendron selloeum in Deltona FL
My philodendrons selloeum died this past winter in the freeze,came back slowly this spring and now are suffering with very small deformed leaves. Some do grow but are getting large brown dry areas on ...
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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.
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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.
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Osteen, FL
Safe grazing for donkeys and goats from Osteen FL
I am having a very difficult time trying to find shrubs, hedges, plants, flowers, or trees etc. that are safe for donkeys and goats. We live in Zone 9 and have a small farm. I've had to pull every ...
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The Villages , FL
Desert willow for Florida?
I, too, am interested in the desert willow tree. I reside in central Florida, 32162. However, Mountain States Nursery does not ship east of Texas. May I have a listing of other nurseries also.
T...
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The Villages, FL
How to grow tulips and daffodils in Central Florida.
My question is how can you grow tulips and daffdoils in central Florida, just south of Ocala, a place called the Villages? I am from the Washington, DC area and truly miss these flowers, any help wou...
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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...
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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 ...
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