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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

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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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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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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Bagram Air Field, Other
Introduction of possibly invasive Texas wildflowers to Afghanistan
I'm in Afghanistan right now, and at the USO over here there's a small garden where some service members have seeds sent from home to plant. I don't see any Bluebonnets so I asked my grandparents t...
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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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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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Delhi, India
Why do sunflowers turn towards the sun?
Why do sunflowers turn towards the sun?
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Delhi, India
Donation of seeds of Silphium Terebinthinaceum to India
Hi, I am located in India. I am planning to plant Silphium Terebinthinaceum in my garden in India. Please let me know who can donate me seeds to India. I need 20-30 seeds.
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Notre Dame, IN
Time of year for wildflower viewing in Northern Indiana and Michigan
I used to live in the southern US but now live in Northern Indiana and was wondering if wildflower fields will be blooming here and in Michigan by early May (I was hoping to do some rural exploring th...
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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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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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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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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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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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Vienna, Austria
Is western soapberry (Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii) dioecious?
Hi! I found different information on the flowering habits of the western soapberry, Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii. Is it dioecious or polygamo-dioecious or none of them? I have some little seed...
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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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Vienna, Austria, Other
Propagating Carya illinoinensis in Vienna, Austria
I'm interested in growing and propagating the pecan, Carya illinoiensis for my area (Austria). Northern pecans are the better choice. Are trees grown from seed (no northern pecan origin) also as har...
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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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Kolkata, India
Butterfly plants for Kolkata, India
I am from Kolkata, India. I have a garden of 200ft x 50ft size, mostly shadowed by big trees. I want to attract butterflies in my garden. Can you please let me know the flowers / plants I plant for bu...
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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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Frankfurt, Germany
Problems with rhododendrons in Germany
I am writing with questions about rhododendrons. I purchased four small rhododendron/azalea hybrids in April. Because I had to prepare the garden before planting them, I left them in the pots they cam...
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