Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Ask Mr. Smarty 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.

Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.

Subscribe online now
Mr. Smarty Plants would give Wildflower magazine two thumbs up...if he had two thumbs.
Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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

Chisholm,, MN
Pruning of Hamelia patens, Firebush
I have a Hamelia Patens (Fire Bush) it says it will grow to 12 feet high and 5-6 feet across. Can I keep pruning it to about 5 feet without damaging the shrub?
view the full question and answer

Aurora, MN
Toxic effect of mulberry fruits and sap
What would be the toxic effect of the unripe fruit of the mulberry tree or the white sap?
view the full question and answer

Duluth, MN
Starting a sweet potato in water in Duluth MN
I am trying to start a sweet potato plant in water. I noticed 3 days after it's in water, there is white finger like(hairy) areas at the tip of the bottom of the potato and also on the sides. I have...
view the full question and answer

Duluth, MN
Can berries of non-native Fuchsia plant be eaten from Duluth MN
Are the berries of the Fuschia plant edible?
view the full question and answer

Superior, WI
Using cattail fluff to stuff pillows
Me and my children filled a pillow case with cattail feathers today and brought it home. My mother says that it is going to get or attract bugs. Are there any dangers in this little project? Than...
view the full question and answer

Iron River, WI
Wildflowers blooming in northern Wisconsin in July from Iron River WI
What wildflowers are in bloom late July in northern Wisconsin, in the Bayfield and Douglas counties?
view the full question and answer

Grand Marais, MN
Edible forest garden for northern Minnesota
I am planning an edible forest garden for northern Minnesota. Can you suggest a list of plants that are native to this area. We are in zone 3a or 3b. Thank you!
view the full question and answer

Frederic, WI
Prime wildflower bloom viewing times in Texas
I am planning to drive from Wisconsin to San Antonio in the spring. My schedule is flexible, so I would like to time the trip with the wildflower bloom. I grew up in Texas, but I can't remember when ...
view the full question and answer

Ironwood, MI
Prunus subhirtella deer resistance in Ironwood MI
Is the double flowering prunus pendula subhirtella deer "food"?
view the full question and answer

Ramsey, MN
Getting rid of sandburs in horse pasture in Minnesota
How do I get rid of sandburs in my horse pasture?
view the full question and answer

Coon Rapids, MN
Leaf drop from maple tree in Minnesota
I have about a 30 ft maple tree in my yard, last fall I trimmed it pretty good because the branches were getting low where you could not walk under it or get grass to grow. This is the 2nd time in abo...
view the full question and answer

Hugo , MN
Care for large trumpet vine in Hugo MN
I was recently given a large Trumpet vine that has been growing in the same place for the last 25 years.I have replanted it and given it a large trellis to grow on.I live in central Minnesota. My ques...
view the full question and answer

Blaine, MN
How to get rid of plants spreading fluffy seeds
I live in Blaine, MN next to a Lake. The "buffer zones" next to the lake are filled with native grasses, weeds & wildflowers. We are trying to identify a plant that blooms July with lavender flowe...
view the full question and answer

Chetek, WI
Plants for a Steep Bank in Wisconsin
We live on a lake with many white and red pines. The steep bank needs something not adversely affected by a buildup of pine needles to hold the sandy soil in place. The bank faces west and the pines ...
view the full question and answer

North Oaks, MN
Native plants both deer resistant and good for erosion from North Oaks MN
We have several partially sunny areas on hills that are prone to both deer and erosion. Our goal is to reduce runoff in an effort to preserve the watershed that provides tap water to many citizens of ...
view the full question and answer

Brooklyn Park, MN
Limiting erosion around pond from Brooklyn Park MN
Minnesota resident, wants to find plant limit erosion from pond?
view the full question and answer

Maple Grove , MN
Replacing river birch from Maple Grove MN
How soon after taking out a river birch clump tree and grinding the stump would we be able to plant a new birch clump?
view the full question and answer

Sand Creek, WI
Erosion on sandy bank in Wisconsin
I live in Sand Creek Wisconsin. As the name states SAND. I have a problem with rain eroding the sand hill sides. Looking for some type of plant or plants that will help with the erosion problem.
view the full question and answer

Rockford, MN
Grasshopper-resistant landscape plants?
We have a ton of grasshoppers in our area. I would like to plant bushes and flowers that the grasshoppers will not eat. Can you suggest any??
view the full question and answer

North St Paul, MN
Will my Lisianthus survive the winter in Minnesota for another growing season?
Do you know if Lisianthus plants planted one year, will come back the next year? We bought 6 gorgeous healthy plants last summer from a MN grower. We enjoyed them all last Summer and are wondering if ...
view the full question and answer

Golden Valley, MN
Control of invasive non-native Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard)
What can I do to control garlic mustard that has moved into my wild area and what should I plant to combat this aggressive plant? Ostrich ferns, Pagoda dogwoods and emerald hemlocks have been recommen...
view the full question and answer