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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

Chappell Hill, TX
a source for fruitless olive (non-native) trees
I was given a "mexican olive" several years ago which is doing very well. This one is non-fruiting and I would like to have another that is non-fruiting but cannot find one. Cordia boissieri see...
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Chappell Hill, TX
Wild Texas olive trees in Chappell Hill TX
Are wild texas olive trees male and female? Mine is evergreen with no olives. I would like to have another that is evergreen and has no fruit but all I find are deciduous and have fruit.
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Chappell Hill, TX
Starting transplants of native Pleopeltis polypodioides
I would like to know how to start Pleopeltis polypodioides (resurrection fern) growing in my oak trees. I have a source for the plants but do not know how to start the transplants on the limbs of the...
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Chappell Hill, TX
Latest time to mow bluebonnets from Chappell Hill TX
The past few years, my bluebonnets have been overwhelmed by tall grass. I could have solved this by mowing later, but I was always afraid of mowing new bluebonnet plants. When is the latest time I can...
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Chappell Hill, TX
Identification of Bidens aristosa (Tickseed sunflower) in Texas
I think the ID of the plant I submitted a description of yesterday is Tickseed Sunflower (Bidens aristosa). Thanks.
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Chappell Hill, TX
Plant identification
I am trying to name a pink fall blooming wildflower. It is growing in a ditch and has several blooms on a stalk about 4' tall.
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Chappell Hill, TX
Need suggestions for plants for a privacy screen for a pecan orchard in Chappell Hill, TX.
Mr. Smarty Plants, My family has just begun converting our land in Chappell Hill, TX (Washington County) into a pecan orchard. We had to clear a lot of the overgrowth around the edge of the proper...
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Brenham, TX
When to reseed wildflowers in a drought year?
My acreage with extensive wildflowers was mowed in 2010 before annuals had seeded. Only a few returned this year. Considering the predicted lonterm drought should I postpone reseeding this fall?
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Brenham, TX
Bluebonnet party for April 17 in Brenham TX
I wish to have a Bluebonnet party. I planted seeds in the spring and fall and the plants have come up like crazy. Given our unusual weather, when can you predict they will peak.?? I was planning t...
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Brenham, TX
Oak tree with browning leaves in Brenham TX
I have a large oak tree in my small back yard. I also have a sprinkler so the tree has been receiving some water. Nevertheless, some of the leaves are turning brown in patches. Would drip watering ...
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Brenham, TX
Optimum mowing times for wildflower garden
I live in Washington County and have 4 acres that contain both an abundance of spring wildflowers and native grasses (silver and little bluestem, Texas grama). The homeowners restrictions require that...
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Brenham, TX
Native plants for deer
I live on 5 acres near Brenham and want to plant FOR the deer, without using non-natives. I leave unmowed islands of Buffalo grass, little bluestem and many native forbs. I know they are using it for ...
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brenham, TX
More on bluebonnets
Do bluebonnets, being a legume, contribute anything beneficial to the soil?
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Brenham, TX
Plants for shady area in Brenham, TX
I have an area which receives shade all day, but gets a lot of sun just before sunset. What sorts of plants would do well?
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Brenham, TX
When to mow after bluebonnets bloom in Brenham, TX
I live in Brenham, TX, and thanks to spreading 80 pounds of bluebonnet seeds last fall, we had a very small but promising showing of bluebonnets this March and April. The bluebonnets still appear to b...
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Brenham, TX
Optimum mowing time for acreage with spring wildflowers
I have several acres where wildflowers grow in the spring, & would like to know when and how often to mow this field for optimum blooms?
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Brenham, TX
Drought and Fire Resistant Plants for Round Top, Texas
Dear Mr. Smarty Pants Do you have any advice on plants which are drought tolerant and fire resistant for a central Texas location near Round Top Texas? Thanks
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Brenham, TX
Turk's Cap and Pavonia insect problems
My Turk's cap and Pavonia lasiopetala (rock rose) plants both have quite a few leaves that are skeletonized in appearance. I do not see any insects on the underside of the leaves. What could be cau...
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Hempstead, TX
Planting native yaupons on fence line for privacy
I live in the country and someone bought the place next door and is building a house close to me.(150 yards) I want to plant yaupon trees on my fence line. Can I get seeds somewhere? I have yaupons ...
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Hempstead, TX
Seeding the banks of a large pond
I have a 2 acre surface pond that is mostly a hard clay bank all around. The water level is way down and I will begin filling it very soon. I need to somehow being affordable, plant something or thing...
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Hempstead, TX
Source for Orbexilum from Hempstead TX
I am looking for a source of plants or seed for a Texas native plant: Mountain Pea, orbexilum sp. (nova). Thank you,
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