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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!

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Questions From Near You

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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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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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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Ada, OK
Will buffalograss thrive in Ada OK?
Would buffalo grass thrive in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, where my sandy loamie soil struggles with summer droughts?
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Atoka, OK
Smarty Plants on Pittosporum
Need to know if "PITTOSPORUM" (TOBIRA VARIEGATA) will grow in my area of SE OK. I have purchased two of them and the nursery said that they would do great. Just needed an extra opinion. Than...
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Eufaula, OK
Duplicate of English holly for Eufaula OK
I wish to have a shrub that would duplicate the red berries and foliage of English holly. Tolerance of cultivation is also desired.
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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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Wanette, OK
Rust spots on non-native red tip photinia
I live in Oklahoma and my red tips have rust spots on leaves and some plants are losing leaves. This is a clay soil; can you give me any info. on how to solve this problem?
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Shawnee, OK
Identification of bush/vine with purple berries
I was clearing fence line and came across this plant it looks like a Bush but underneath grows like a vine it has long broad leaves that reminded me of Polk salad but it grows berry clusters the berri...
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Shawnee, OK
Is it possible to eat one nightshade berry and live?
Can I eat one nightshade berry and live? I am 18.
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Sulphur, OK
School children planting trees native to Oklahoma and North Texas
Hello, I'll be going into grade school classrooms to teach children how to plant trees. Perhaps they will each plant a seed in a cup to take home to plant in their yard. I may even be able to get see...
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Sulphur, OK
Why do the leaves of my potted Esperanza plant look droopy?
My Esperanza plant leaves look droopy. I have it in a big pot and have for 3 years.
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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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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
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
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
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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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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Ft. Towson, OK
Native tree for cemetery in Western Oklahoma
My siblings and I are wanting to plant a tree next to my Mother's grave at the cemetery. It is in Western Oklahoma so hot sun and constant high wind are both considerations to choosing the right tree...
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