Native 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.
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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.
Questions From Near You
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...
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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....
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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...
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Newton, KS
Overseeding sprig planting of native grass in Kansas
Can I overseed a Sprig planting of native grass in Kansas in the Fall?
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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...
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Manhattan, KS
Source for Bumelia lanuginosa in Kansas
Do you know of a source of Bumelia lanuginosa? I would like to include it in a future landscape construction project on the Kansas State University campus.
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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...
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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...
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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?
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Wichita, KS
Curvularia blight in buffalograss in Kansas
Our buffalo grass is infected with a fungus called curvularia. How can we treat it?
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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...
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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.
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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...
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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...
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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?
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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...
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Hedron, NE
Newly planted magnolia in Hedron NE
We planted a Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' in our landscape about 2 weeks ago. It is approx 7' tall. My question is should the leaves on it all be turning brown and crisp already or are doing some...
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Hebron, NE
Penstemon digitalis not blooming in Hebron, NE.
My Beardtongue plants are too close together. Can I transplant my Penstemon digitalis now, even though the plant is approx. 20" tall? It is not blooming.
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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.
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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 ...
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Topeka, KS
Fast-growing shrub or tree to block dust from dirt road
I live on a dirt road in Northeast Kansas. Could you recommend a fast growing, low maintenance shrub/bush or small tree that will form a barrier to block the dust from the dirt road? It will be plante...
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