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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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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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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

Hurst, TX
When to harvest bluebonnet seeds in Hurst TX
Can I harvest the Blue Bonnet Seeds now (April) or do I have to wait until they dry up & pods begin to open?
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Chattnooga, TN
Why will my Butternut trees not produce nuts in Tennessee?
I have 2 butternut trees planted about 20 ft from each other. I see the long blossoms on each tree but I have not gotten any nuts from either tree. I do not know if I have a male and female or if th...
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Chattanooga, TN
Selenicereus anthonyanus, Rickrack or Fishbone Cactus
A friend of mine gave me a plant he said was a rick rack plant. I have tried to research it on line with no luck and I don't know the scientific name...any help?
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Chattanooga, TN
Identification of plant from childhood
I am trying to locate and identify a plant from my childhood (I'm 65). It was either a small tree or possibly a tree formed hedge like plant. It had small roundish leaves scattered on tiny limbs simi...
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Red Bank, TN
What habitat would my Antennaria solitaria like in Red Bank, TN?
I want to know what habitat my mystery plant will like- sun, shade, dry or moist. I think it is an Antennaria solitaria or Little Pussytoes. I got it at a native plant sale here in Chattanooga. It has...
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Ooltewah, TN
20 years to bloom
My girlfriend and i have come up with an interesting question, we were wondering if there is a plant in existance that takes over 20 years to bloom, and how many different kinds (if any) there are? We...
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Lafayette, GA
Cross pollination of non-native poinsettia
I have a poinsettia that I have had for about 5 yrs. that has always flowered red. Last Christmas I was given one that was white. During the summer I put both plants in my green house side by side. Th...
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Cleveland, TN
Peak times for viewing wildflowers in Texas
We are planning a trip to Texas to see wildflowers this spring. I have time off March 17-25. Would you expect to see much in bloom then? What area might be the best to visit? Does anyone put reports o...
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Cleveland, TN
Pollinating Pawpaws
We have many good sized pawpaw trees in our area but they never bear any fruit. I've checked them at different times in the fall over the years but no fruit. Someone told me that the flowers were po...
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Delano, TN
Can I make my large pecan trees produce larger nuts?
I have 2 older large pecan trees about 40' tall but the nuts are very small, only about 1 1/2". What can I do to get larger nuts?
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Altamont, TN
Native Suppliers Directory
we are a wholesale wetland plants nursery.we'd like to be added to your wetland plant suppliers list. thank you tammy sons tn nursery 12845 state rt 108 altamont tn 37301 931-692-4252 www.wetl...
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Adairsville, GA
Shrubs for area around underground storm shelter
We want to plant shrubs around our underground storm shelter to divide it from our parking area. Obviously, this is to avoid having someone drive on top of the shelter. What native shrub to North GA ...
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Adairsville, GA
Removing invasives plants in Adairsville GA
We just moved into a new house and kudzu, greenbriar and poison ivy are trying to take over. I pulled what I could out of the trees, cut everything off at the base of the vine. I even tried digging ...
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Ellijay, GA
Removal of Invasive Mint
The herb Mint is taking over my flower garden. How can I kill this out? Thank you,
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McCaysville, GA
Edible Plants for North Georgia
We are planning a forest food garden in the hollers of the N GA Mountains. Which edible fruit, nut, berry, herb and creepers would be best for this reddish, clay-like soil? The food garden is in...
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Cherry Log, GA
Native Azaleas for Southeast USA
Where can I purchase wild azaleas?
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Blue Ridge, GA
Identification of groundcover plant in north Georgia mountains
Was trail riding in N GA mountains - saw pretty ground cover plant ? vine - small green leaves with whitish borders almost look like clover leaves and has small bright red red berries - this was Aug 2...
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Morganton, GA
Planting ornamental cherries in GA
What is the correct way to plant ornamental cherry trees in N. Georgia Mountain clay soil? Which is the hardiest variety?
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Silver Creek, GA
Are berries of American Beautyberry poisonous?
I have an American Beautyberry Plant and I need to know if the purple berries are toxic - we have dogs and I wouldn't want them to eat them. Thanks for any information you may have on this plant.
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Waleska, GA
Evergreen shrubs native to North Georgia
I am looking for native plants (shrubs) that will stay green during the winter in North Georgia. We are completing a xeriscape landscape plan as a demonstration site and have many native plants donate...
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Canton, GA
Hardiness of Mexican bush sage in USDA Zone 7
I have a Mexican Sage (salvia). I need to know the care of it especially because it is a gift and the plant is about 5 ft. With the weather and the red clay I don't know if I could plant it or just ...
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