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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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

Questions From Near You

Mount Airy, NC
Plants for a moist, wooded area in North Carolina
I am looking to plant some native flowers in a wooded area in Surry County NC. The chosen location is fully shaded beside a creek. The water table typically sets about 2 feet below the surface of th...
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King, NC
What is white sticky substance in the Mandevilla vine?
When I was watering my Mandevilla one of the vines broke and there was a white, sticky substance that came out of the vine. I was just curious as to what that is.
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Winston-Salem, NC
Privacy Screening of House Next Door in NC
Hello, I live in the house my parents bought in 1971 in Winston-Salem, NC. The house beside me is an eyesore and for sale at a very low price. I am afraid the condition of the house and yard next door...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Plants to stop creek bank erosion in North Carolina
Hi: I live in NC where most of the dirt is clay based. I have a small creek behind my house that is eroding. The creek overflows when there is a heavy rain and as a result, gradual erosion. My g...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Need a tree with a tap root for a small flower bed in Winston-Salem, NC..
Dear Mr Smarty Plants, I am looking for a tree 6-10', somewhat spreading, could flower (not essential) to serve as a focal point in a small bed with small shrubs and perennials. I need a tree with ...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Can I Divide Rudbeckia in July in NC.
How do I transplant Blackeyed Susans so I can add them to other parts of the bed. I started with one and it is crowding out other plants, so I would like to transplant to other parts of the yard.
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Winston-Salem, NC
Live Oak Leaf Drop in North Carolina
We planted a 15 foot, approx. 3" caliber live oak tree last summer and it seemed very healthy throughout our unusually cold winter in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. (Winston-Salem). Now it's ...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Control of invasive vine in North Carolina
Hi, I live in Piedmont NC, have vines that twine around my shrubbery and are impossible to pull out of the ground w/o breaking because they are so thin/delicate. The leaves are maple-like (3 lobes), ...
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Winston-Salem, NC
Replacing non-native Paulonia tomentosa in North Carolina
What could I plant in my Winston-Salem, N.C., yard in place of the paulownia tomentosa which is there now (it was NOT something I put there; I only figured out what it was a couple of years ago -- I g...
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North Wilkesboro, NC
Plant identification
On our farm we found a plant that we had never seen before. It has long stems coming from center ground level and is about 3 feet tall, looks like a fern from far off. The leaves (length of finger) ...
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Harmony, NC
Looking for seeds for Styrax americanus.
I am looking for a source I can purchase Styrax americanus seed, preferably wholesale but if not a retail source. Can you suggest a place. thank you
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Harmony, NC
Seed for Kosteletzkya virginica, salt marsh mallow
I have a nursery in North Carolina. We are looking for a reliable seed source for kosteletzkya virginica salt marsh mallow. We are www.campbellfamilynursery.com
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Harmony, NC
Source for seeds of Aniscanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
I am Kevin Campbell of Campbell Family Nursery. I wish to try some of your native flame acanthus or wrights desert honeysuckle. Aniscanthus quadrifilus wrightii Ii believe. Do you know of a seed sourc...
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Harmony, NC
Possible source for seeds of American beautyberry and Eastern sweetshrub
I have a nursery growing native plants in North Carolina. I would like to find a source to purchase seed for the white berried American beauty berry and Calycanthus floridus athens, can you suggest a ...
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Pulaski, VA
Indoor Lantana Care from VA
I have a Lantana plant. When I moved it inside, it was fine. Then I watered it too much. Is it possible to replant( to dryer dirt) in the winter time. Is has been in the 30's here, but inside 68. ...
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Stokesdale, NC
Fast-growing hedge for North Carolina.
I am looking for a fast-grownig evergreen hedge that can be kept no taller than 6 feet. It will be grown in partal sun facing north
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Kernersville, NC
Does Wax Myrtle Have a Taproot?
Does a wax myrtle have a taproot?
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Kernersville, NC
Problems with blueberries from Kernersville NC
My blueberry plants have no leaves or scrawny ones. I have 13 plants, 5 of them are like this.
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Kernersville, NC
Groundcover for Road Frontage in NC
I need a fast growing ground cover or perennial flower for 1,000 feet of road frontage about one acre that will choke out weeds. I do not want to do much ground prep or any ground prep. I do not want...
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Oak Ridge , NC
Tentative identification of Viola sagittata
I am trying to find name of wildflower, Violet growing in adjoning woods. I have not been able to find it on internet. The non-basal leaves are very irregular in shape, grow to six inches, no two ali...
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Dublin, VA
Trees for privacy shield in Dublin, Virginia
What are the best trees to plant for privacy in a small yard?
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