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

new zealand, Other
Growth process of plants
How does a plant grow?
view the full question and answer

Tauranga, NZ, Other
Yucca elata flowering in Tauranga, NZ.
I have two huuuuuuge Yucca elatas in my garden. One of them flowered spectacularly last year - a 15ft stalk that grew so quickly you could hear it, and then burst into a cloud of waxy cream flowers. M...
view the full question and answer

Auckland, NZ
Smarty Plants on Americas national plant
What is America's national plant? (please answer this a.s.a.p because i can't figure it out and it's for homework)
view the full question and answer

St. Johns, NF
Low-growing plant for grave in boggy Newfoundland
I am looking for any suggestions on what type of plant I can plant on a grave. It is very boggy (peat)land. I want something that is hardy & not too tall. We have about 8 weeks of summer, July & Augus...
view the full question and answer

Sydney, Other
Plant for a salt water pool in Australia
What plant is a perfect plant for small areas around a salt water pool?
view the full question and answer

Sydney, Australia
Irish Strawberry tree care from Sydney Australia
Hi I have an Irish Strawberry tree - AKA Arbutis Enedo. I have had it for a couple of years now, I have it planted in the ground quite healthy soil, I feed it Dynamic lifter (chicken manuare/pellet f...
view the full question and answer

Sydney Australia,
Gift plant for a new arrival in Texas.
To Whom it May Concern, I am writing to you from Sydney, Australia. My sister is moving to Texas and I wanted to give her a native plant as a present. Is there anyway I could arrange that with you, or...
view the full question and answer

Sydney, Australia
Do plants grow better under artificial or natural light?
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, So do plants grow better under artificial lights, or sunlight???? and if so what happens when they are growing? Which seedling sprouts first??? What happens as they grow? I a...
view the full question and answer

Melbourne, Australia
Worms found in Agave used in tequila
Hi, I am a writer and have been trying to find some referenced information regarding the moth larvae/'worms' associated with Agave and some mezcal beverages - specifically, Hypopta agavis, Aegiale ...
view the full question and answer

Melbourne, Australia
Scale on Agave attenuata from Melbourne, Australia
I have an agave attenuata in a pot. It has been attacked by scales. I have been spraying it every 3-4 days at night with a chemical sold to me by the local gardening store. It's not helping and I am...
view the full question and answer

Brisbane, Australia
Identification of an Australian tree.
i have a tree i cant seem to find any info on, the tree has large almost heart shaped leaves with pinkish veins running through them, its not shiney anywhere, sort of a mat finish,the edges of the lea...
view the full question and answer

Adelaide, Australia
Source for American barberry in Adelaide Australia
I am trying to find a source/s of the American barberry (Berberis canadensis). I am interested in root stock but particularly in a supplier of the fruit (berry). I have tried everything and someone su...
view the full question and answer

Townsville, Australia
Gaura dying from Townsville, Australia
My passionate pink Gaura appears to be dying. It had a beautiful blooming period & now is going backwards. What is happening? I have pruned it, but don't know how to save it.
view the full question and answer

PAGO PAGO, Samoa
Science project on invasive plants in American Samoa
What is an experiment I can do on invasive plant species for a science project? What are some main invasive plant species found in American Samoa? Where can I go to find more information on invasive ...
view the full question and answer

PORT HEDLAND, SD
Native plants of Rome
I am researching the native plants of Rome but I can't get anything get anything else besides olives. Can you help me to find some more?
view the full question and answer

Davao., Philippine
Does molasses make glutinous corn palatable from The Philippines
What would be the effect of molasses in the growth of glutinous corn?? Does molasses make the plant palatable?
view the full question and answer

Cagayan de Oro , Philippine
Question about Allamanda cathartica
how would i prove that allamanda cathartica is an antidote for anti-tetanus in a cheaper way?
view the full question and answer

Waikoloa, HI
Plants that donkeys won't eat
What plants/trees do donkeys NOT like? I live in Hawaii on the Big Island and they visit once a week in my yard. I like them but would prefer that they stay just outside. Unfortunately they like my...
view the full question and answer

Hilo, HI
Non-native Concord grapes in Hilo, Hawaii
Hi, I live in a area that does not freeze over winter, and humidity is quite high. Do you think that Concord grapes will fruit?
view the full question and answer

Koloa, HI
Shrubs for Privacy Fence in Hawaii
I live in Hawaii and need to create some privacy along a wall of my house. The septic drain field is 5' away and I am looking for 6'-8' shrubs that have shallow roots. Would something like cordyline f...
view the full question and answer

Koloa, HI
Tahitian gardenias (Gardenia taitensis) salt and wind resistance in Hawaii
Are Tahitian Gardenias salt tolerant? We live on a rocky coastline in Hawaii and we get a lot of salt spray.
view the full question and answer