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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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Questions From Near You

West Union, IA
Erosion control in West Union IA
Erosion control and native grasses/plants for steep, shady slope in northeast Iowa. We are building a house in northeast Iowa (near West Union in Fayette County). The road that was graded to the ho...
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Dubuque, IA
Plants for steep slope in shade in Iowa
I work for a small non-profit shelter here in Dubuque, Ia. that has a very steep slope behind the building that needs some sort of plant or grass planted to stop erosion. The slope gets little to no s...
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Dubuque, IA
Are dusty millers perennial in Dubuque, IA?
I have dusty millers in my front yard. Last fall I did nothing with them as I wasn't sure if they will return or not. Do the dusty millers continue to grow year after year and should I cut them dow...
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Dubuque, IA
Landscaping recommendations for site in Dubuque, IA
I need a seed recommendation. Here are the variables: Location: Dubuque, IA (east Central Iowa) Soil type: Sandy to sandy and gravelly. Part is a riverbank facing east. Steep bank then flat to ...
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Cedar Rapids, IA
Plant identification, possibly genus Lonicera
My friend found a plant growing in her timber (in Iowa). It has round green leaves with groups of green balls (seed pods?) growing in the center of the leaves. The stems appear to attach to the cente...
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Cedar Rapids, IA
Information on non-native Knock Out Rose
I am trying to find out some information about a Knock Out Rose. I dont know the scientific name for it. I have been to different web sites to find pictures, size etc. and can find nothing. Any help ...
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Cedar Rapids, IA
Will potted tulip rebloom next year
We bought tulips that were in bloom in small pots in May, and planted them in the back yard. Now my friend tells me they will not come up and bloom next spring, that you must only plant tulips as bul...
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Montfort, WI
Plant Identification in Montfort WI
There is a small orange flower plant that grows wild along highways and in uncut yards in northwest Wisconsin--We are visiting in Siren, WI and have tried to dig some up and take home to SW WI. They d...
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Winona, MN
Winter damage to yucca in Winona MN
This past winter was hard on my established yucca plant and most of the foliage has discolored and it is not very pleasing to look at. What should I do about the discolored portion? Should I remove ...
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North Liberty, IA
Leaf problems on oaks in North Liberty IA
My oak trees (young and old) are showing leaf problems. Is there a disease or insect causing oak tree disease?
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Gilman, IA
Preplant dip for wildflowers from Gilman IA
I am growing wildflowers in a greenhouse for wholesale spring sales. The very tall varieties such as cimicifuga stretch very quickly. Do you know of any chemical treatments as a preplant dip that have...
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Iowa City, IA
Alternative for sedges for turf-like lawn in shade
When it comes to a turf-like lawn in shade, is it pretty much sedges or nothing among native options? By the way, I write from up north here in Iowa. Thanks!
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Iowa City, IA
Why are there no low-mow lawn grasses composed of only native fescues?
Dear SP, Most blends of ecograss I see are a combination of non-native and native fescues (and sometimes buffalo grass, blue grama, etc.). Why are there (apparently) none that are composed entirely of...
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Iowa City, IA
What to do about grass dying under pin oaks in Iowa
We have 2 pin oaks about 15 years old in our front yard. The grass has started dying out under and around them. What can we do?
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Iowa City, IA
Is Milium effusum 'aureum' native to North America from Iowa City, IA
I have seen the cultivar grass milium effusm aureum described as a native of both Europe and the N. America. Both continents HAVE a subspecies of m. effusum. Which is more accurate; is MEA a cultivar ...
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Fort Mc Coy, WI
Possible source of dermatitis in Wisconsin
I hunt in a Marshy area in central WI. I have had a breakout on my skin that is not from poison ivy. There is a plant that has pine like needles on it that look like dried up pine needles that is ye...
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Grinnell, IA
How to Deal With Goutweed?
Hi, I'm wondering what plants (groundcover) would best compete against goutweed. It's coming up all around some existing potentilla shrubs and some nice bulbs and prairie perennials. I would hate to...
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Grinnell, IA
Difference between Erigeron strigosus and E. annuus
How can you tell the difference between Erigeron strigosus or Erigeron annuus. Does one have more flowers on it than the other? Thanks.
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Grinnell, IA
Annual Native Plants for Interplanting in Iowa
I'm looking for suggestions for annuals that will flower from seed or from spring plants. I want to use them to fill in the space around newly planted coneflowers and asters that I fear will look spa...
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Grinnell, IA
Short to Medium Height Grasses for Iowa
What short to medium height native grass can be planted in late fall at the same time I sow my wildflower seed?
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Wellman, IA
Sap of mulberry similar to sap of maple for syrup from Wellman IA
Can the the sap of the mulberry tree be used to make syrup similar to maple Syrup?
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