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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

Lakeland, FL
Dirt around bald cypress in Lakeland FL
Dirt around trunk of cypress.. Our tree is a Bald Cypress. We dug a hole to install a jacuzzi and put the dirt/clay around the trunk of the cypress to level the area out. I also laid several flag s...
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Lakeland, FL
Controlling live oak sprouts in Lakeland FL
We had a live oak taken down last year. We now have sprouts we cannot get rid of and they continue to multiply invading the lawn. We did not have this problem so much when the tree was there. Is ther...
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Lakeland, FL
Plant identification
I have a plant that looks like a suculent tree with a canopy like an umbrella. It grows every summer & is no more than 5 ft tall. It has tiny spines on it's trunk, which has white spots on it. the en...
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Lakeland, FL
Dirt piled up around trunk of cypress tree in Lakeland FL
I have a 30-40 foot cypress tree that has just started looking like it is dying..limbs on top are drooping badly. In April of this year we put probably 3 feet of dirt/clay around the bottom of it, wa...
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Lakeland, FL
Asclepias with whitish discoloration
I have red/scarlett milkweed planted in my yard. The leaves have a whitish discoloration on the top of some of the leaves and it is spreading. What is it? What do I do about it?
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Lakeland, FL
Identity of vines in Florida
Hello, I have 2 different types of vines growing in my shrubs. They are very pretty and I like them I just want to know if they are poisonous or if they will take over my shrubs. I have not been able ...
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Lakeland, FL
Erosion control from Lakeland FL
What native Ground cover is best for erosion control on slope of lake-front? Prefer not too invasive for this northern facing area behind a seawall and near large Oak tree.
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Lakeland, FL
Growth rate for eucalyptus in Florida
How fast does eucalyptus grow in Florida?
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Winter Haven, FL
Plants to grow in shady sand in Florida
We live in central Florida (directly between Orlando and Tampa). Our yard is mostly sand for soil and difficult parts in shade almost all day from large trees. What ground cover (grass) and hedges can...
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Brandon, FL
Screening plant for wall in Florida
Hi Mr. Smarty Pants, I live near Tampa, FL and I want to put a line of privacy plants/hedges along a brick wall. The wall is 6' high with openings in the top 3' of the wall. The length of the w...
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Brandon, FL
Can you grow Texas bluebonnets in Florida?
Can you grow Texas Bluebonnets in mid-Florida?
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Riverview, FL
Plant identification
I was just in Alabama this weekend and all alongside the road-side were these georgeous pink flowers. I finally stopped to pick one and thet are even prettier up close! The stem is smooth and leafle...
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Wesley Chapel, FL
Ground cover for damp areas
I am looking for a cover ground plants that tolerate damp areas. Any suggestions?
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Wesley Chapel, FL
Transplant shock in non-native crape myrtle from Wesley Chapel, FL
I just bought a 12 ft. crape myrtle and planted it, giving it plenty of water I think. After 3 days the leaves are wilting and flowers are falling off.
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Gibsonton, FL
Do palm trees put off a toxic smoke when burnt?
do palm trees put off a toxic smoke when burnt
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Tampa, FL
Need shrubs to plant alongside a swimming pool in Tampa, FL.
I Have a 3 1/2 foot gap between my pool screen and back fence. This gap runs about 30 ft. long. I would like to place small trees to look beautiful and to grow 6-8 ft. high to screen out my neighbor...
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Tampa, FL
Deer resistant groundcover for Tampa, Florida
I live in Tampa, FL and have a deer problem. I was wondering if you would give me some suggestions for deer resistant ground covers that are hearty and flower but most of all "DEER RESISTANT"!!! ...
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Tampa, FL
Lantana failing to bloom from Tampa FL
I reside in central Florida. I have planted several lantana the orange,red,yellow type. I don't have proper species name. They have been in the ground 3 weeks with 2" of potting soil around root ba...
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Tampa, FL
red maple bark damage by squirrels
We have two acres of land, largely covered by various oaks and cherry laurels -and, after many hours of cutting down chinese tallow trees..finally some red maples. Our problem is that we also have a s...
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Tampa, FL
Privacy Hedge Suggestions for Tampa, Florida
My back wall is made of stone and is about 6' high. We are very close to a busy road. I need a plant that will reach about 7-8 feet high or a hedge to reduce some of the noise. What plant/hedge would...
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Tampa, FL
What grows in Tampa FL
Please let me know what grows in the backyard in Tampa, FL to provide screening and privacy?
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