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
Hamden, OH
Transplanting butterfly weed in Hamden OH
I have tried transplanting butterfly weed from it's native location to my yard and each time the plant wilts and dies.
Any suggestions?
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Minford, OH
Grasses for sloped clay hillside in Ohio
I have built a new home located on a hillside, our soil has a tremendous amount of clay in it. We have a sloped hillside that flows within 25 feet to the back door. The area is wooded and therefore ...
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Jacksonville, OH
Plant identification
I bought a double knock-out rose bush and planted it in my yard. A year later a weed-like plant started growing beside it. It has very thorny leaves, stems and stalk. Little purple flowers are grow...
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Geneva, OH
Plants for a wet area in Ohio
I have a lot of water in my front yard are there any kind of plants that I can plant to drink up some of the water? I live in North East Ohio
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Lancaster, OH
Propagation of Baptisia from Lancaster OH
My Baptisia has gone to seed. When can I plant these seeds? Do they need strat? (zone 5)
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Lancaster, OH
Bringing Non-native Cannas out of Winter Storage
Mr. Smarty Plants - Is it possible to force canna tubers? Would placing them on a heating pad help? I am in Ohio -
zone 5.
Thank you
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Ironton, OH
Identification of vine in Ohio
We were in our school's back yard and we found a vine that has green leaves and has a purple stem and we were just trying to figure out what is was? Can you help us out with that!
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Stockport, OH
Cuttings from beautyberry from Stockport OH
My beauty berry is starting a new growth about 2ft from main plant, can I dig this and part of the root without hurting the main part, if so, when?
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Ashalnd, KY
Non-native Coleus canina, animal detererrent
I had purchased a plant about 4 years ago at Lowes that I planted in my flower gardens that was a pet deterrent. I cannot remember the name of that plant now? I have spoke to Lowes and others and I am...
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Canal Winchester, OH
Growing Plumeria in Ohio
Can I grow plumeria in Ohio? We were in Hawaii this past week and I brought two plants home to try to grow. Thanks a bunch.
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Lockbourne, OH
Will a cut back yucca grow back in Lockbourne OH?
I live in Ohio and recently I cut back all my plants to prepare for winter. I am wondering if my Yuccas will grow back. I cut them to ground level so only a little bit of the leaf is showing. I was...
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Pickerington, OH
Trimming iris leaves in Pickerington OH
I recently trimmed the stems and leaves of my iris plants in late May - I realize now this was a bit early. The leaves are still about 3-4" out of the ground. I would like to half them and move som...
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Reynoldsburg, OH
Can Texas bluebonnets grow in Reynoldsburg Ohio?
I am a transplanted Texan now living in Central Ohio. I am tired of having to accept only pictures of the bluebonnets growing along the highways in Texas now and want to know if the weather is suitab...
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Grove City, OH
Plants to compliment pine trees in Ohio
We just moved into a new home, the backyard has a above ground island with 5 pine trees (fairly young ones, not big) between the trees are some piney looking shrubs, there is a lot of open space on th...
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Kenna, WV
Plants for bridge foundation erosion control in WV .
There is a stream on my property that I must cross to get to my house from the road (stream is about 6 - 8 feet wide, with 5 to 6 foot banks). I've recently had to have the bridge repaired, and the ...
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Columbus, OH
Deadheadidng of gaillardia
How do I maintain gaillardias? Specially, do I deadhead them?
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Columbus, OH
Plant identification
I have a random flower growing out of my rabbit's grave and I can not identify it. Nothing like it grows around us and I didn't plant anything there. The petals are white. There are five of them. Th...
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Columbus, OH
Shrubs for privacy in wet area in Ohio
I am looking for flowering shrubs for Ohio that reach 8-10 feet and can handle wet feet. I am trying to avoid building a wall for privacy and would like to use flowering shrubs instead.
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Columbus, OH
Native plants for flowers in rocky area in Ohio
We have just built 4 raised beds on a slope in our backyard on Scioto River. The site is an old quarry so rocky soil below our raised beds & gets full sun majority of day from about 11am-7pm summer ti...
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Granville, OH
Native Plants for Shaded North Slope in Ohio
I have a shaded north hillside which needs erosion control plants. Mostly moss and very thin grass grows there now. Please help!
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Nitro, WV
Tree with orange flower blooming in August in West Virginia
There is a tree with an orange flower in West Virginia. The orange is at the top of the tree and it blooms in August. I've searched your sight but cannot find it. Thanks!
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