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

Wichita , KS
Skunk cabbage to repel rabbits in Wichita KS
I would like to find a skunk cabbage plant or oil of skunk cabbage to drive away rabbits from my garden.. It does work for several yrs ago I purchased a plant from a garden shop but can not find it no...
view the full question and answer

Wichita, KS
Curvularia blight in buffalograss in Kansas
Our buffalo grass is infected with a fungus called curvularia. How can we treat it?
view the full question and answer

Wichita, KS
Lake Plantings and Geese
I live on a small lake in Wichita, KS and we are over run with Canada geese. I would like to plant flowers around my patio (which is not allowed to be fenced off). Are there any flowers or plants that...
view the full question and answer

Wichita, KS
Colorful shrubs for Kansas
I would like to plant some bushes or shrubs on the front side of our house which faces east. I would like them to grow 5' tall and provide beautiful color or blooms. What would be best for my locat...
view the full question and answer

Wichita, KS
Plants for northern exposure in Wichita, KS
What are good plants for the north side of the house with acidic soil in Zone 6, Wichita, KS?
view the full question and answer

Wichita, KS
Shade ground cover under honeysuckle from Wichita KS
Hi! I know this is a bit odd, but I am trying to find a nontoxic, good ground covering plant that can live in the shade while competing with the roots of a whole bunch of honeysuckle. I have a few ide...
view the full question and answer

Wichita, KS
Advice on grasses under walnut trees
Little advice on grasses: I am prepared to plant zoysia under two walnut trees. Forgot about juglone-is this a good idea?
view the full question and answer

Wichita, KS
Hardy Tree for Kansas
I'm hoping to find a tree that is hardy and will survive all rough seasons in Wichita, KS. The spot is in front of a northern exposure window.
view the full question and answer

Wichita, KS
Trees for home in Kansas
I am needing help planting trees in my yard. It's a new construction home and I would like a tree that won't get into the septic system easily. Also, I have to plant 3 other trees as well due to the...
view the full question and answer

Newton, KS
Wintering of non- native jasmine in Newton KS
Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I received a gorgeous jasmine for mothers day and I planted it in my front yard in the flower area close to the house. Can I keep it there all winter or do I need to dig it up a...
view the full question and answer

Newton, KS
Overseeding sprig planting of native grass in Kansas
Can I overseed a Sprig planting of native grass in Kansas in the Fall?
view the full question and answer

Hutchinson, KS
Dead portions on oak tree in Hutchinson KS
I have an oak tree on the property I just moved into. One tree is healthy, the other has a dead side or almost dead. It did have some new green leaves on the dead branches but not many. What should...
view the full question and answer

McPherson, KS
New growth on Amur Maple turning black in McPherson, Kansas.
Re: Amur Maple bushes Approximately 2 yrs old, 4 ft tall. New growth at the end of some branches is turning black. Plants are mulched with grass clippings. We live in Kansas. Thanks for any info....
view the full question and answer

Tonkawa, OK
Native trees or shrubs for privacy in Tonkawa, OK
I live in North Central Oklahoma and I want to plant trees or shrubs along 100 ft of creek to create privacy. I would like them to grow at least 15 to 20 ft tall. What would you recommend for this l...
view the full question and answer

Madison, KS
Identity of pink bell-shaped flowers in Kansas
I have a beautiful array of pink bell shaped flowers with a white shaping on the inside of them they are about 2 feet tall. I cant seem to figure out what they are.
view the full question and answer

Salina, KS
Plant with dark black/purple berries in a cluster
Today at our local dog park we noticed a bush/vine that's been growing up the fence is producing berries. It didn't flower at all. The berries look to have started out green and now are changing t...
view the full question and answer

Fredonia, KS
Leaves turning brown in Fredonia KS
Leaves turning brown.
view the full question and answer

Fairfax, OK
What are the green round growths on the edges of my oak leaves in Fairfax, OK
round growths on the edge of oak leaves. ranging in size from a pearl to a lime. ranging in color from pale green to lime green. hollow, small ones appear to contain one small gnat sized seed. the la...
view the full question and answer

Great Bend , KS
Dog wallowing in damp area in garden from Great Bend KS
I Have a wet area in my back yard that is close to my house. and off my patio there is a water hydrant,gas meter, electrical for my hot tub, my sprinkler valves and pump all there. My dog digs throug...
view the full question and answer

Lebo, KS
Leaves on 3 year old maple turning brown in Lebo, KS.
Hello, one of our five Maple trees which is is 3 yrs. old now, we saw a week ago that the leaves started turning brown and dropping. My question is: Will the tree survive this and return healthy next ...
view the full question and answer

Bartlesville, OK
Plant for privacy hedge in Oklahoma that is not poisonous to dogs
Hello! I am looking to put a privacy hedge fence in my yard. I love the look of American Holly, however, I have a dog who eats everything so I worry that this will not be a wise choice with the b...
view the full question and answer