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
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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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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Summerfield, FL
Texas wild olive for Summerfield FL
I want to buy a Texas Wild Olive for my home in Summerfield, Fl. My landscaper brought me a regular olive tree saying he had never heard of a Texas Olive Tree in our area. I have looked on line withou...
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Ocala, FL
Height of non-native gardenias
How tall does a gardenia tree get?
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Ocala, FL
Blossoms blowing off non-native navel orange tree from Ocala FL
Why do the blossoms blow off navel orange tree?
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Ocala, FL
Eastern Red Cedar Roots
Would an Eastern Red Cedar root system damage underground irrigation pipes?
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Ocala, FL
Plant identifcation
I have 3-4' high plants, spaced out thick red-greem stalks, w/slender long dark green leaves, several round "single" light lavender colored flowers 1&1/2" in circumference continuously bloom. Butt...
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Ocala, FL
Native ground cover to replace grass in Florida.
Where can I find a list of ground covers to replace my grass. I live in the south of Ocala Florida.
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Ocala, FL
Itchy hands from handling Lantana plants
I am in Ocala,FL. I pick up with my hands branches from a cut down Lantana Plant. My hands are very itchy, what can I do. THANK YOU FOR YOU.
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Ocala, FL
Non-native Bird of Paradise plant (Strelitzia reginae)
I have two Bird of Paradise plants on my lanai (Marion County, FL) and they are both in large pots. Nobody but me seems to like them at my house and I have been asked if I could trim all the leaves o...
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Ocala, FL
Dog-safe Privacy Screen for Ocala, FL
Am desperately searching for fast growing privacy that would be non toxic to dogs in Ocala, Florida (zone 9 I think). Wanted Leland cypress but due to toxicity it won't work.
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Center Hill, FL
Hedgerow plants non-toxic to horses
What would be a good, fast growing, hedgerow plant that is NON-POISONOUS TO HORSES? Thank you.
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Inverness, FL
Safely killing Paedeeria cruddasiana Prain (sewer vine)
Is there anyway to safely kill Paederia cruddasiana Prain (sewer vine)? Thank you!
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Inverness, FL
Wildflower gardening for Citrus Co., Florida
I live in Citrus County Florida, on the north central, west side of the state. I hope to start a wildflower meadow in my natural back yard. Can you recommend good wildflowers to grow, and where to g...
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Inverness, FL
Care for non-native plumeria in Inverness FL
I have several plumeria plants that I planted in the ground this spring. I will soon need to dig them up and store them in the garage for the winter, as I left some last year that died with the frost...
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Webster, FL
Plant identification
Could you please identify a plant with a scalloped elephant ear type leaf, wooden base with oval areas where old large wooden roots from above the ground have fallen off.
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Webster, FL
Failure to bloom of Magnolia in Webster FL
Do all Magnolias Bloom? I live in Central Florida - transplanted a Magnolia 7 1/2 years ago. It is a beautiful tree - very healthy - at least 10-12 ft. It has never had a bloom!! I have another li...
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Hernando, FL
Plant identification of chenille-like plant in Florida
I live in Central Florida. I have a small, 8-10 inch plant that grows wild in the yard and has a 1 to 1-1/2 inch, bright red, feathery flower on it. I can't seem to find it on the internet and I'm ...
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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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Dunnellon, FL
Air layering with Spanish moss from Dunnellon FL
Is it possible to air layer plant cuttings using Spanish Moss instead of Sphagum Moss? I have a yard full!
Thanks
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