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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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Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

Questions From Near You

Ames, IA
Source of article on Great St. Johns-wort (Hypericum ascyron)
I found the following comment on your database when reading about Hypericum ascyron: Comments: The scattered distribution of this plant in Ontario is thought to match historical aboriginal encampment...
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Ames, IA
Harvesting bittersweet from Ames IA
How do I harvest my bittersweet?
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Johnston, IA
Host plant for Northern Pearly Eye butterfly
Can we add to the host plant information for Elymus hystrix (Bottlebrush grass)? The grass is host plant for the Northern Pearly Eye butterfly (Enodia anthedon). It would be great to share this info...
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Urbandale, IA
Deer resistant native plants for Eagle Scout project in Urbandale IA
Mr. Smarty Plants, My son is planning his Eagle Scout Project doing some landscaping for the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary. The facility has asked him to use only plants native to Iowa. Can you su...
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Des Moines, IA
Plants for a Steep, Sunny Slope in Iowa
I am looking for plants native to Iowa for a steep, sunny slope or groundcover.
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Des Moines, IA
Problems with non-native African violets in Des Moines
My violets have stopped blooming after years and have developed a growth in the middle of the plant. Can I save these plants and how can I revive them. Thank you, I am desperate to salvage them as the...
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Prairie City, IA
Transplanting trumpet creeper in Prairie City, IA
I have a Trumpet Creeper that I would like to transplant. How do you do that?
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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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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
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
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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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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Seymour, IA
Can poisonous seed of wild plum be safely removed after steaming from Seymour IA
I read on a related questions that you said the pit/seeds of all wild plums are poisonous. My question is this, can I juice the entire fruit for making jelly without removing the pit first? I have a s...
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Ida Grove, IA
Wintering over a Cuphea ignea in Iowa Zones 4-5
I have a Cigar Plant, or a cuphea. I live in Iowa and need to know how to take care of this plant. Does this plant die and that's it, or does this plant come back year after year?
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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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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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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
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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Oakland, IA
School Rain Garden in Iowa
Could you recommend plants for a rain garden to be installed on a middle school campus in the Council Bluffs Iowa area???? Many thanks!
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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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Brighton, IA
What shade trees and shrubs are safe to plant around horses in Iowa?
I need to know what shade trees, flowering trees, shrubs and flowering shrubs are safe to plant around horses in Iowa. thanks
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