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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!

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Questions From Near You

Cape Town , S. Africa
Planting a non-native Solandra nitida in Cape Town, South Africa
How long does it take a Cup of Gold (Solandra Nitida) to flower when planted from a cutting. The site is against a North facing wall. It gets afternoon sun. Plant looks healthy and is approximately ...
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Mozambique, Other
Controlling Thermopsis rhombifolia (buffalo bean) in Mozambique
Dear Mr. Smarty, Please,can you assist. We have a plot on a dam in Mozambique. It has been invaded with Thermopsis rhombifolia (we call it buffalo bean), it is very hardy and if you fall in it or j...
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Cairo, Egypt
Non-native Centaurium spicatum, family gentianceae
I need to know every single detail about centaurium spicatum family gentianceae.
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Manama, Bahrain
Gardening in Bahrain
Hey, I'm living in Bahrain where the climate is really hot and the soil is kinda very salty. I've got my mango tree in the ground already, transferred it 2 months ago from the pot. I've noticed the...
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Cordoba, Argentina
Planting Mountain Laurel grown from seeds in Argentina
Hello, I was transferred to Cordoba, Argentina 2 years ago from San Antonio, the climate hereis similar to S. TX, anyway I brought some mountain laurel seeds with me and they have been in 2 gallon pot...
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RAANANA-ISRAEL, Other
Smarty Plants on Pinguicula
Does any plant of the genus Pinguicula (butterworts) grow wild in israel--maybe in Mount Hermon or Upper Galile?. israeli carnivorous plant society couldn't give me a clear answer about this issue. ...
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Irbid, Other
Growing conditions for non-native Thlaspi caerulescens
I want to know what is the best condition for growing Thlaspi caerulescens and what is its life span. Thanks
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Arabian Gulf,
Epiphytic or halophytic trees and shrubs
Hello I was searching on this issue, but couldn't find what I really want, and I would be great full for your assistance. Please could you help me to find the scientific name for the "Trees" or...
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Pune, India, Other
Contacts with botanical illustrators
I am interested in preparing 3D (stereoscopic) illustrations of plants and flowers. Can you give some contacts with botanical illustrators for guidance? Are there any guidelines about botanical illust...
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Chennai, India
Use of North American native in India
I got mail from someone who is living in U.K asking me to co-ordinate for getting the "Silphium terebinthinaceum seed" from various places for one Pharmaceutical company as a business. Is it the com...
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Italy, TX
Transplanting native bluebells in Texas
Hello Smarty, Italy TX here again! Your advice on crape myrtles has inspired me to try harder, but now I have a question about a TRUE native wildflower,the Texas Bluebell, growing in my pasture. I ca...
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Hyderabad, India
Obtaining bark of Larix laricina from Hyderabad India
I am in need of Larix laricina (Bark) for my research work. Please let me know how to procure it.
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Taipadas - Canha - Portugal, Other
Growing Variegated Century Plants in Portugal
Hello Mr. Smarty Plants, I am contacting you from Portugal, because of century plant(Agave americana). I had one of that plants and I collected the seeds, which I planted, but I am quite disappointed ...
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Kozya Stena, Bulgaria , Other
Smarty Plants on Rohel’s saxifrage
Hi, can you help? Do you know what is a plant named: Rohel’s saxifrage? "Bulgaria - Cenral Balkan National Park - Kozya Stena (Chamois Wall) Reserve was established on December 22, 1987. With an a...
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Jodhpur, India
Tree with taproot for Jodhpur India
I am a resident of India. I need information of a tree with tap roots to grow in my backyard. We have moderate to hot climate here. It needs to be as small as possible due to lack of space. It'd be g...
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Nagpur, India
Effects of greywater on plants and soil
What are the biochemical effects of greywater in plants and soil, because both are related. The effects can be harmful and as well as beneficial, can you give me the details of that?
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Milan-Italy, Other
Alkalinity-tolerant grasses
Dear Sirs - Are you aware of any grass species that could survive in strongly alkaline soils (ph from 10 up to 12) Thanks a lot.
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Bordeaux,, France
Entities adopting threatened species as symbol
Please could you tell me about any nations, cities, towns or villages which have adopted a threatened species as their flagship or totem, and are attempting to save it? I am drawing up a list of such...
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Lépaud, France
More information on Malvavaceae from French botanical garden
hello thanks for the reply in your garden all of yours Malvaceae interested us but priority for this species could you help us ? regards Fabrice Absous Allowissadula holosericea Bastardia ...
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Lépaud, France
Request for seeds or cuttings for Malvaceae from French Botanical Garden
hello We create a botanical garden devoted to the Malvaceae, can you help us by sending us seeds or cuttings? friendly the director jean-marie Jolicard botanical garden beaulieu 23170 Lépaud F...
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Vienna, Austria, Other
Sapindus drummondii or Rhus aromatica for Austria
Hy! I'm from Austria/Europe, and interested in some North American native plants specially. It would be great if you can help me with my two questions: Sapindus drummondii I read from different...
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