Native Plants
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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.
Support NPINHelp grow the Native Plant Information Network by giving to the Plant Database Fund or subcribing to Wildflower magazine.
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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Questions From Near You
Nashville, GA
Fast growing shade trees safe for livestock in pasture in Nashville GA
I would like a list of fast growing shade trees that are safe for cows and horses in a pasture.
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Valdosta, GA
Memorial garden in Georgia
I would like to plant a memorial garden in memory of my mother. She loved butterflies and bulbs blooming. Our backyard is shaded by large oaks and pines. A pool is located to the right, a large fire...
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Valdosta, GA
What is the fast-growing vine with white flowers growing in my yard? Field bindweed perhaps.
We moved into an existing home with some plants growing that grow very quickly, 1ft. per week, they flower a white to cream colored bloom and when the bloom falls it leaves a olive looking ball. In th...
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Valdosta, GA
Native vs. Invasive Experiment
I asked you earlier about my group's experiment on native vs. invasive plants in Valdosta. Here are what we chose to work with..native: spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) and invasive: wild taro (Col...
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Valdosta, GA
Native vs. invasive photosynthesis and CO2 exchange.
My group is conducting an experiment on invasive and native plants in Valdosta, Georgia. Are invasive plant species better adapted to live in Valdosta than native plant species? How do invasive specie...
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Jennings, FL
Where plants can be purchased in Jennings, FL
I would like to know where I can buy some plants to plant on my property to grow?
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Sanderson, FL
Blazing stars plants in Sanderson, FL
I planted some blazing stars & they did not come up.What is the best way to start them out?
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Lake City, FL
Are there drug cartels on the bluebonnet trails from Lake City FL
We plan to fly to TX to see bluebonnets but do not know if the weather and forest fires have destroyed them. If not, can you estimate the peak bloom time?
We are 75 and 81 and move around rather s...
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Lake City, FL
Is Loropetalum poisonous to horses in Lake City FL?
Is loropetalum poisonous to horses? I know it is a member of the witch hazel family but cannot find a definitive answer about loropetalum itself.
Thank you!
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Lake City, FL
Shade tree with no roots to interfere with patio in Lake City FL
I have a 4x4 area surrounded by cement patio but would like a tree for shade that does not have roots that will mess up the slab.
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Waverly, GA
May I send a blueberry picture for ID?
May I send a digital photo of plant for confirmation that it is a wild blueberry?
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Moultrie, GA
A stinging plant in Moultrie, GA?
Mr. Smarty Plants,
I was walking along in my lawn in some flip-flops and my foot barely grazed my ankle. As soon as it had happened, I felt this horrible pain, like a million tiny, invisible splinter...
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McAlpin, FL
Are Black Olive trees safe to have in pastures in Florida
I am trying to find out if Black Olive trees will be safe to have in our yard and/or pastures. We raise cattle, goats and horses. We need to find some good shade trees that are safe for our animals ...
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Jesup, GA
Non-native eleagnus from Jesup GA
An elderly farmer has told me about a plant called Alley Agnes, but I can't find any plant by this name anywhere. He doesn't know another name for it, says it's what everyone has always called it i...
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jesup, GA
Fast-growing native trees that are safe for horses
What trees can I plant that are fast growing for shade and, most importantly, safe for horses?
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Jesup, GA
Caterpillars devouring Blue Wild Indigo in Jesup GA
I have a false blue indigo growing in my garden. Every spring it gets defoliated by Genista moth caterpillars. It usually doesn't put out new growth until the next spring. This summer, it has put ...
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Kingsland, GA
Plant identification
Purchased foliage plant - no one knows its name.
Leaves (stems) are bright green and 10" tall.
Has "babies" like a spider plant but leaves (stems) are wider and thicker. Has a "rib" to them in...
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Bryceville, FL
Information about Lady Lupine (Lupinus villosus)
Dear Mr.Smarty Plants,
Lady Lupine grows in our yard in northeast Florida, and I would like to learn more about it, especially the stages it goes through, like now the purple petals themselves are c...
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Thomasville, GA
Need a drought resistant, maintenance free tree in Thomasville, GA.
I have been through many tree forums and asked several nurseries about a good tree to plant but nobody has provided an adequate answer and I hope you can help. I live in SW Georgia (Zone 8) and need ...
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Thomasville, GA
Living fence line from Thomasville GA
I would like to create a natural fence line on my property in South Georgia. They need to be pretty dense and horse, cow, goat friendly, growing to a height of about 4ft, preferably quickly! Do you ...
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Monticello, FL
Landscaping trees and shrubs non-toxic to dogs from Monticello FL
We're landscaping and need advice on large and small evergreen trees and shrubs that are native to or will flourish in North Florida. We plan to put in a treeline (large and semi-large trees) as wel...
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