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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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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

Checotah, OK
Identification of vine with gourd-like fruit
We live on a farm, and I have noticed a vine that has leaves like grapes, but produces this flower, and a fruit that is rather large, shaped like a gourd, right now green in color. It is growing over ...
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McAlester, OK
Failure to bloom of non-native Althea in Oklahoma
I have 2 Althea bushes that will not bloom. For the past 2 years, they become covered in buds, which eventually yellow, but never open. The buds are fully developed. This year the branches have starte...
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Muskogee, OK
How to eradicate non-native invasive Houttuynia cordata from Muskogee OK
I have planted a very invasive plant called houttuynia and cannot get rid of it! It is very stinky and the stems break off easily at the roots. I cannot dig it up anymore - it is all over in my flow...
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Muskogee, OK
Problems with non-native zucchini in Muskogee, OK
In the awful heat of this summer I am still getting zucchini to produce. But, once it grows about 3 inches, it gets yellow on the ends and dies. Am I watering it too much? (I have sprayed for bugs ...
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Muskogee, OK
Ants in vegetable garden in Muskogee OK
I have ants in my vegetable garden this spring - I think because of all the rain. I think they are the culprits that ruined my spinach and swiss chard. They have left all the lettuces alone..but you...
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Muskogee, OK
Evergreen hedge non-toxic for horses and goats in Muskogee, OK
I live in northeastern Oklahoma. I am trying to find an evergreen hedge, 6-8 ft in height, 4-6 ft spread that is not harmful to horses or goats. Everything that I have found is for Zone 8 or 9.
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Muskogee, OK
Digging sassafras roots in Oklahoma
When should I dig sassafras roots in eastern Oklahoma?
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Haskell, OK
Cultivar of Cercis Canadensis from Haskell OK
We have a Hearts of Gold Redbud that first had dark edges to many of its leaves (about 2 weeks after planting). It now has multiple leaves w/ medium-dark brown spots on them. Are we looking at some ...
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Stuart, OK
Low growing annuals for OK shaded slope.
I have a heavily shaded slope on the north, west, and south side of my home. Can you suggest some low growing annuals (flowering, or not) that would allow me to beautify my property.
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Wagoner, OK
Can a Texas Mountain Laurel grow in Northeast Oklahoma?
I was born and raised in Texas but am now living in Northeast Oklahoma. I miss the smell of Texas mountain laurels in the spring. Is there any way of getting one to grow here?
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Wagoner, OK
Possible identification of Hydrocotyle bonariensis
I went to Pedra Island two years ago I saw a plant that grew around the beach. It has a perfectly round leaf that has the stem in the middle of the back side of the leaf. It has small yellow flowers. ...
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Bixby, OK
Problems with a Sherman (Shumard?) Oak from Bixby OK
We have done extensive research on oak fungi/diseases/pests could be affecting our Sherman Oak tree but we are stumped. The leaves are falling off and have some sort of moldy bunch within the leaf it...
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Bixby, OK
Survival of yucca plant mowed down in Oklahoma
I have a yucca plant that came from a very old plant of my late father, and had transplanted it 6 years ago and it came back every year and bloomed. This morning I went outside and noticed my husband...
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Wewoka, OK
Is conium maculatum safe for cataracts from Wewoka OK
My doctor has prescribed conium maculatum for my cataract problems. Is this safe to use in the eyes?
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Broken Arrow, OK
Hummingbird Bushes for Broken Arrow OK
I am looking for bushes that attract hummingbirds. I live in Broken Arrow, OK. Can you recommend some?
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Broken Arrow, OK
Can trimmings from non-native globe willows be planted from Broken Arrow OK?
We have 2 globe willow trees in our back yard. We trim low hanging branches. Can we take these cut branches, -plant them and have it grow into a new globe willow tree?
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Sapulpa, OK
Native alternative for Japanese Red Maple in Oklahoma
Mr. Smarty Plants, I am looking for a native alternative to a Japanese Red Maple. I would like a small tree that I can put in my front garden that will not pose a security risk my being overgrown and ...
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Tulsa, OK
Erosion control in lawn in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! I have an erosion control question. I have a growing problem with erosion on one side of my house. The soil from the side of my house slopes down about 8" in about 3 feet to ...
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Tulsa, OK
Native plants for southwest exposure in Tulsa OK
I want to plant something in a bed on the South side of my house with some Western exposure. The space is in a bed that would share space with a Red Tip Photinia (next to the house)& liriope( on the ...
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Tulsa, OK
Looking for a redbud sized tree to plant in Tulsa OK.
I am looking for a native tree about the size of a redbud to place in my prairie bed in Tulsa Oklahoma, wildlife friendly trees preferred, thanks!
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TULSA, OK
Hours of darkness for non-native poinsettia to bloom
I have a poinsettia from last Christmas still alive. I was told to get it so many hours of darkness. Do you know how many hours? When would be the best time to start displaying the plant again?
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