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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

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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Lecanto, FL
Goldenrod not blooming in Lecanto FL
My goldenrod(fireworks) grows only like a groundcover(3" tall) and does not flower. It is in full sun in my garden in Lecanto, Florida(zone 9A). What could be wrong? Thank you.
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Citrus Springs, FL
Does the Dyschoriste oblongifolia attract snakes ?
Does the Dyschoriste oblongifolia (oblongleaf snakeherb)attract snakes?
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dunnellon, FL
Desert willows in Florida
I'm in Dunnellon, FL and I'm growing several chilopsis linearis from seeds, but they are coming in long, tall with very few leaves. and continuously fall over from their lanky growing ways. Any idea...
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Dunnellon, FL
Peppervine fruit in wild grapes for jelly from Dunnellon FL
We picked some wild grapes for making jelly. We have about 8 cups of juice. We think about 4 or 5 berries from the Peppervine might have gotten in with the wild grapes. Is this enough to make the ...
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Dunnellon, FL
Jelly from wild grapes with a few peppervine berries from Dunnellon FL
Thank you for your quick response to my question. Due to your answer, I am going to make jelly from this juice.
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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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Dunellon, FL
Origin of name of hybrid Ilex x attenuata
Could you please tell me where Eagleson, or also called Eagleston Holly got its name ?
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Brooksville, FL
Grass information for Brooksville FL
Do you have any suggestions of seeding rates,row spacing, or size of plugs for restoration of Panicum rigidulum or Panicum abscissum? Basically interested in a pasture planting with cutthroat gras...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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
Eastern Red Cedar Roots
Would an Eastern Red Cedar root system damage underground irrigation pipes?
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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
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
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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