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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

Burkburnett, TX
Small shrub for shady area
I would like to find a shrub to plant on the north, northeast side of my house, but it will be in mostly shade. It needs to get between 21/2' to 4' tall. Do you have any suggestions please?
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Wichita Falls, TX
Planting Artemisia Cuttings in Texas
I've rooted a number of artemisia plants in water and have transplanted them to pots. They grow so very well in our dry drought-stricken soil and need very little water. I'd like to transition these...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Wildflower seeds for Nocona, Texas
I have a place on Lake Nocona in Nocona,TX and am wanting to buy native wild flower seeds that will take the heat and little water. I have both sunlight and shade. I,m interested in the western prairi...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Drought and Shade tolerant plants for Wichita Falls, TX
I can find lots of information about planting drought tolerant, sun loving native plants, a number of which I've planted over the years. But I can find very little information about drought tolerant ...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Summer-blooming Wildflowers for Wichita Falls, TX
Can you give me a list of some summer-blooming (June, July, August, maybe September) wildflowers that I can plant in my flower beds in Wichita Falls, TX and tell me when the best time is to sow the se...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Need suggestions for plants for a bird/small wildlife refuge in Wichita Co, TX.
With our continuing drought in North Texas, I'm planning to transform my small backyard into a bird/small wildlife "refuge". What types of native plants and grasses can I plant in dry, hot Wichita ...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Problems with hibiscus tree in Wichita Falls, TX
My Hibiscus trees have black spots on the leaves. What might this be and what is the remedy?
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Wichita Falls, TX
Evergreen screening tree for Wichita Falls TX
Recommendations for a screen plant. Dry. full sun. 20 to 30 ft.high. evergreen. Wichita Falls, TX location.
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Wichita Falls, TX
White spots on Hibiscus leaves
My hibiscus trees have white spots or splotches on the leaves. What is it and what can I do to get rid of it? Also, the birds are eating my tomatoes faster than i can grow them. I've used the owl &...
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Wichita Falls , TX
Smarty Plants on Hesperaloe parviflora
On the home page of this website (right of center) there is a plant with the long stems and pink flowers and with green pods or seeds, also. Could you please tell me the name of this flower? We have ...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Native grasses for horse grazing in Wichita Falls, TX
What are the best horse grazing grasses to plant in the Wichita Falls, Texas area?
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Wichita Falls, TX
Planting wildflowers from Wichita Falls, TX
Hi, Thanks so much for the answers you give! You've been very helpful to me in the past. I have two quick questions: 1) I have been harvesting seeds from my wildflowers. I wonder when the best time...
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Wichita Falls, TX
Planting time for Helianthus annuus in Wichita Co., TX
I need to know when is the best time to plant sunflowers in the Wichita Falls, Texas area? Thank you for your time.
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Lawton, OK
Fungi in the flower bed
Found a strange thing in my flower bed, while tilling. It was egg shape, white, with a little purple, soft but tough like leather on the outside, with a small 2 inch root. Curiosity got me so I cut it...
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Lawton, OK
Native plants threatened by invasives in Oklahoma?
What are some native plants in Oklahoma that are being threatened by invasive species?
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Lawton, OK
Looking for a Drummond Red Maple in Lawton, OK.
I would like to buy a female Drummond red maple from a local retailer but it's Jan.12 and those he has in stock are leafless with just the beginnings of buds showing. They are about 20 feet tall and ...
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Lawton, OK
Planting distance for non-native crepe myrtles in Lawton OK
We just bought Tonto Crepe Myrtle trees. I was just curious how far away from the house we should plant them.
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Lawton, OK
Safety of hyrbrid and non-native trees for dogs and horses from Lawton OK
Are Arrowwood Viburnum tree, Sargent Crabapple tree & the Washington Hawthorn tree safe for dogs & horses?
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Comanche, OK
Wildflowers for a large backyard in Oklahoma
I have a large back yard in full sun. What native flowers should I plant here?
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Comanche, OK
Plant called cow shade or cow weed that is poisonous
There is a plant called cow shade or cow weed, not exactly sure. It kills whitetail deer. I would like to know the name of the plant and the specifics. If you could help me it would be greatly appreci...
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Bowie, TX
Plants to stop erosion on sandy slope in north central Texas
We have severe erosion problems that lead to a deep ravine. There are deer in the area and the soil is sandy on a slope. What would be the best long term solution to stop or control this erosion. Th...
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