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
Ada, OH
Aging non-native weeping willow in Ohio
We had a weeping willow now for about 15 years and it was doing fine until this summer. It has new branches sort of but a lot of the older ones are dying. There are leaves of course and they are sti...
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Elida, OH
Tulip trees losing bark in OH
We have two tulip trees in our yard that are losing their bark at the base of the trunk. I am careful with the mower keeping away from the tree when I mow. What could the problem be and what can I d...
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Rushsylvania, OH
Are non-native Cleveland pear trees poisonous to dogs in Rushsylvania, OH
Are Cleveland pear trees poisonous to dogs?
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Tiffin, OH
Resourses that are being taken away - Tiffin OH
What are resources that are being taken away from humans and organisms?
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Bucyrus, OH
Fragrant night blooming plant
My Grandmother use to have a night fragrant night blooming plant that she referred to as "baby Jesus being born" when it bloomed.
Are you familiar with anything of this nature?
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Troy, OH
Late leafing and early leaf-drop of Ohio buckeye tree
We recently bought a house which has an ohio buckeye tree in the back yard. It stands about 40 feet from a large creek in Troy, Ohio. The tree is about 30 feet tall. A strip of the bark is missing....
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Mount Gilead, OH
Fungus type problem on native blackeyed susans in Ohio
I have black eyed susans that have recently developed a black fungus type problem in the bottom and on the leaves. The flowers are now wilting and dying. What is this and how can I stop it from possib...
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Perrysburg, OH
Native tree for Perrysburg OH
Can you recommend a small tree 15-20 feet for Perrysburg Ohio that does not produce seeds/berries/nuts etc, has large leaves and is pest resistant? Low maintenance
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Monroeville, IN
Grasses in Allen County, Indiana
Do you have images of Northeast Allen County, Indiana grass specimens with i.d.? I am a student teacher and am putting together a nature hunt list for my students.
Thank-you,
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Powell,, OH
Horse-friendly plants for Powell OH
I am looking for horse friendly plants, i.e., shrubs, trees, bushes, etc. that can be planted in wet area in Ohio. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
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Dublin, OH
Black bugs on Autumn Joy sedum in Dublin OH
How to get rid of tiny black bugs on Autumn Joy sedum?
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Bellevue, OH
Deadheading a petunia and why
Can you please tell me the correct way to de-head a petunia and why?
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Oak Harbor, OH
Photo of plant Beggar Tick
I am looking for information and a photo of the plant Beggar Tick.
Thank you.
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Hilliard, OH
Eliminating suckers from roots of Moraine locust in Hilliard, OH
We removed a large Moraine Locust tree and also the stump. Now little trees from the roots are coming up. How do we get rid of these so something else can be planted?
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Hilliard, OH
Poison ivy in Hilliard OH?
I found a plant with five jagged leaves growing close to the ground in the trees of Ohio. Is this poison ivy or a similar plant?
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Toledo, OH
Erosion control in Ohio
We live on the north side of the Maumee River in Toledo, OH. We are looking to plant something low (3' max) that will stabilize the very steep hill leading down to the river, preventing erosion. Wo...
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Toledo, OH
Possible reasons for yellowing leaves in seedlings in Ohio
I have a problem with my seedlings. They start yellowing of one leaf then die. When I remove the leaf another one starts. I have photos. I have two differant seedling plants and they are experiencing...
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Toledo, OH
Vascular plants and mosses from Toledo OH
Why do vascular plants grow taller and thicker than mosses?
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Toledo, OH
Plants for a shady front border in Ohio
My front flower bed faces the North. For the past 2 yrs. I lost 5-6 perennials. What can I plant that will make it with little sun. I don't want hostas nor ferns, nor short ground covers. I want col...
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Toledo, OH
Plants wilting too quickly in Toledo OH
The garden I have had recent issues with plants wilting all too quickly. I would like to know what types of plants would be hearty for the climate in Toledo, Ohio. I have a partly sunny front yard and...
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Toledo , OH
Hummingbird plants for OH
We live in Toledo, Ohio and would like to have a Hamelia patens or firebush to attract hummingbirds; we are in their migration path. Would it survive outdoors or do we need to pot and move it indoors ...
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