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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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Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

Questions From Near You

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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Spring Hill, FL
Muhly grass slow to green up from Spring Hill FL
Have lots of muhly grass planted 3 yrs ago. This yr about 1/3 are VERY slow. Still look like hay stacks. No pattern in the bed. You mentioned pesticides being too close?
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Spring Hill, FL
Butterfly egg kit from Spring Hill FL
Could you please tell me all native plant(s) I can buy for my Sons Painted Lady Butterfly kit (eggs are going to hatch soon)and I don't know what to buy for the baby caterpillars to eat. I contacted ...
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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
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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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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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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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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Hudson, FL
Will Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) roots cause problems in a leach field?
A new neighbor is concerned my Arbovitae's root system will go into his leach field. His house has been there also for the same amount of time as the tree and the field. The tree is 45 years old. Do...
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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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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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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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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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Lutz, FL
Straggler daisy as a ground cover in Florida
I live in Hillsborough county,FL. My yard has two large oak trees and is very shady. I am looking for a shade resistant ground cover that will do well for a yard used by children to play. I was told...
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New Port Richey, FL
Non-native Asclepias curassavica
I have some plants given to me by a neighbor, here in Florida. She says they are called Butterfly Reel or by another name Asclepias Curassavica. I have been unable to locate any info. on this plant. ...
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NEW PORT RICHEY , FL
Cottage pink
What is the flower cottage pink?
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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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Holiday, FL
Florida shrub with tiny green pumpkin-like fruit
I live in Central Florida and have a fast-growing shrub with long stems. The leaves are similar to sassafras and from a distance the red flowers resemble those of a geranium. It has pods that look l...
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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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