Native Plants
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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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| Yellowing leaves on non-native Hibiscus rosa-sinensis July 03, 2006 I purchased a chinese hibiscus hiros small tree and after 1 month the leaves keep turning yellow. What's wrong? It's in a large pot and never outside below 60 degrees. Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Alternatives for non-native, invasive Dianthus spp. July 02, 2006 We're landscaping our 1963 ranch house in Austin, and we're trying to balance low water and wildscape concerns. Being just across the street from Shoal Creek means we're staying away from anything ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native Mandevilla July 01, 2006 I have purchased 2 Red Riding Hood Mandevilla's. The tag on it says it blooms spring to frost, full sun, ave size is 8 feet tall & spreading. I live in the Tampa FL area. Does this plant grow as a sh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native, invasive Arctium minus in New York June 13, 2006 For as long as I can remember, my family has been picking and eating a wild plant which we and other Italian families call " cardoons". I've often heard to it referred to burdock but no one knows t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplant of non-native Lathyrus tuberosus in North Carolina June 13, 2006 I have a tuberous sweetpea vine that grows wild on our property. When would be a good time to move this plant to a better location? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Best vegetables to grow in San Antonio June 06, 2006 What vegtables are the safest bet for growing in San Antonio? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native Easter lily, Lilium longiflorum June 03, 2006 I have a white lily that is in a pot and has already bloomed four flowers. will it bloom again? Can I replant this outside right now or what should I do with it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Height of non-native gardenias May 29, 2006 How tall does a gardenia tree get? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Inadvisability of allowing native orchids to cross-breed May 17, 2006 Hello LBJ Native plants helper! This is the perfect place for me to ask a question that has been very perplexing to me. I live in Northern California and am doing research for naturalization of the te... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive, non-native Paulownia May 03, 2006 Hi. We would like to plant a fast growing tree that will provide shade for our house. What do you think of the Paulownia tree (Empress Tree) as a possibility for the Austin area? If this is not a g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting of non-native Vitex April 29, 2006 I live in El Paso and have a fifteen year old vitex tree planted too close to a mesquite tree in my backyard. As a result of this, the vitex has failed to thrive. My question is this: can I replant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Sandankwa viburnum (Viburnum suspensum) damaged by freeze April 16, 2006 We live in Georgetown. My Sandankwa Viburnum seem to have been affected by the late freeze. There are now very few leaves and no flowers/buds. Should I cut the plants back, leave them alone, or giv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on care and transplant of non-native Bamboo in North Carolina April 15, 2006 I am considering transplanting some bamboo from my backyard to my side yard in Northern Randolph County, Central Piedmont, North Carolina. Could you offer me any pointers on a direct ground to gro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native, non-invasive Thunbergia alata March 30, 2006 I'm trying to find the proper name for Climbing Blackeyed Susan, or Blackeyed Susan Vine. We had one on a trellis and it was beautiful, but I'm told that it is an undesirable weed. Any info apprec... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native alternatives for non-native, invasive bamboo in New York March 26, 2006 I hope you can help me. This is not about wildflowers. I'm interested in planting bamboo as a screen (25'+). I know all the pros/cons and would need to have a nursery to put in barrier. I need some... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of non-native Nothoscordum borbonicum in Louisiana March 26, 2006 There were some small white flowers that grow everywhere in Shreveport and probably elsewhere. Mother called them Crows Feet. I see them if I am home in the Springtime, smell them too. Is Crow's foot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibly escaped non-native Buddleja davidii in Missouri March 15, 2006 About 3 years ago my wife and I were traveling thru southeastern Missouri and stopped at a road side rest station on Interstate 44. While we were there we noticed a shrub about 4 to 5 feet tall with p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Cape Honeysuckle, Tecomaria capensis March 13, 2006 I am trying to find general information on the Cape Honeysuckle or "Tecomaria" bush/plant. Is is related to the actual Honeysuckle Plant? What is it's care, propogation, sun tolerance, water requ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems getting desert western US plant Stanleya pinnata to bloom in England March 13, 2006 I am having trouble getting my Princes plume (Stanleya pinnata) to produce a flower and then go to seed. Do you have any advice on triggering flowering in this plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Mandevilla care March 08, 2006 I have a mandevilla and it looks like there are about 5 plants in one pot. Can it be separated without killing it? And, if it can be separated how should it be done? The plant is about 7" high and i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Locating toxic, non-native, invasive Castor Bean seeds March 04, 2006 Where do I find castor bean seeds? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native, invasive Bauhinia variegata March 03, 2006 I live in Fellsmere just south of Melbourne and we have about 5 orchid trees on our property; one is fairly tall, about 20 ft, and the others are about 6 ft tall. My smaller ones have several air p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Many different species called February 07, 2006 I know from researching that Dusty Miller is drought tolerant. But, I tend to water too much when I do get irrigation water. Will it stand this? (clay soil, near a very young globe willow, southern ex... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Cultivation of non=native Brugmansia sanquinea January 04, 2006 I have had an Angel Trumpet since spring 2004, I keep it indoors in about 5 hours of sun a day. It is about 5 feet tall and was loaded with leaves. At Christmas time I had to move it from the front wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native acacias for Washington State January 03, 2006 Hello! I have been unable to find any sources for the seed of Prairie Acacia, Acacia angustissima var hirta. Var angustissima, from tropical America, is in cultivation, but I think it is tender to col... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hardiness of non-native Lycium barbarum for Saschatewan December 19, 2005 Lycium barbarnum. What is its hardiness and where can it be grown? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Lists of native plants in Rome, Italy area November 27, 2005 Do you know anywhere that I can find a list of native plants in Italy, especially in the Rome area. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of non-native, poisonous oleanders November 11, 2005 How do I propagate oleanders? Can the cuttings be rooted in water? Or is it better to use rooting hormone and stick the cuttings in the soil? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Hours of darkness for non-native poinsettia to bloom October 28, 2005 I have a poinsettia from last Christmas still alive. I was told to get it so many hours of darkness. Do you know how many hours? When would be the best time to start displaying the plant again? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Pinguicula October 28, 2005 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. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native, invasive, poisonous Chinese yam October 16, 2005 I found a vine in my yard [central Indiana] which I believe is Dioscorea oppositiflora and I wanted first to confirm my identification and second to find out about edibility [especially of the airborn... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant Care for Plumeria October 15, 2005 I have a plumeria that is getting too tall for my small patio. How I should cut it back and can start the cuttings into new plants? Does the original plant need any special care when it is cut back? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on fungal attack October 12, 2005 I have three plants that have been getting fungus on their soil and I've tried to get rid of it by scraping it off, watering it less and more sunlight. It's two coleus and a begonia. I don't know... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native and non-native Wandering Jew and Four o Clocks October 10, 2005 I am looking for information on 2 separate plants in my yard. The names that people have given me on what they are is as follows: Wondering Jew Four O'Clock View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native Indian Banyan Tree October 06, 2005 I was given a Ficus benghalensis (Indian Banyan Tree) cutting, rooted in water. I need advice on how to plant it, what kind of dirt, best type of pot ie. plastic, glass, etc. The cutting is 1 foot i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native, invasive Datura sprouting from compost September 26, 2005 Hi, I have a plant growing out of some compost we purchased this spring and no one can tell me what it is. It's about 4 ft. tall, the stem is maroon like rhubarb and it produces 4-5 in. tubular lig... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon) August 30, 2005 I am moving into a new home and have been told that the two plants in my front yard are called Hearts of Sharon. I need to know how to care for them and when and how to prune them so that they dont gr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native or non-native hibiscus for Kansas August 13, 2005 I recently purchased a 10" Hibiscus flowering plant and would like to know how to care for it. How much water and sunlight does it need and how long I can expect it to live? It is a beautiful plant a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Pittosporum August 05, 2005 Need to know if "PITTOSPORUM" (TOBIRA VARIEGATA) will grow in my area of SE OK. I have purchased two of them and the nursery said that they would do great. Just needed an extra opinion. Than... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on dogwoods August 05, 2005 I am interested in the worldwide distribution of the dogwood family/cornus. Specifically, I am interested in whether or not there are indiginous species on the Indian Subcontinent. Is there a resour... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native calla lilies July 15, 2005 How should I protect my calla lilies during the winter? If it helps you any, I live in South Carolina. And also will too much water hurt them? We have had massive amounts of rain. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on women trying to conceive July 10, 2005 RE: Eucalyptus. Is this bad for women trying to conceive? The smell is very powerful. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Caring for non-native Peace Lily July 04, 2005 I have given my closet plant too much miracle gro and the leaves are drooping really bad. What do I need to do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Oleanders June 11, 2005 I have 3 Nerium Oleanders. In the winter they come indoors, and are under grow lights. They are in big pots. We just put them outside on patio, and they don't look good. They still have green tips ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum) June 07, 2005 How do you care for an Easter Lily once the flowers have fallen off? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Locations where non-native Mimosa trees grow May 23, 2005 Where do mimos trees grow? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasiveness of non-native gooseneck yellow loosetrife in Maine May 12, 2005 I live in Maine, and purple loosestrife is invading our habitat. It outcompetes native species. Does gooseneck loosestrife have the same damaging qualities? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive, non-native Eragrostis cilianensis, stink grass March 22, 2005 I am writing a children's book for Darby Creek Publishing about smelly plants and animals. I have read that Eragrostis cilianensis is one of the few bad-smelling grasses. Would the purpose of the o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Asclepias curassavica March 09, 2005 I have some plants given to me by a neighbor, here in Florida. She says they are called Butterfly Reel or by another name Asclepias Curassavica. I have been unable to locate any info. on this plant. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Walter Ernest Jones February 24, 2005 My parents are both huge gardening fans and for a mothers day present I would like to find a plant for her garden that has a connection with "walter ernest jones". Any part of this name would be gr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning time of non-native oleander February 11, 2005 When and how should I trim oleanders that turned brown after our first freeze? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Kokias January 27, 2005 I am searching for seeds of different Kokias (Kokia cookei, K. drynariodes and K. kauaiensis) and Thespesias (Thespesia grandiflora, T. thespesioides, T. nerifolia and T. popul... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of native blackhaw or non-native ligustrum in Austin January 16, 2005 I have a native tree in my yard, ca.15-20 feet tall, that has glossy, rounded dark leaves and small clusters of dark purplish berries. (It also has very weak limbs - perhaps grows too fast for its ow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Littleleaf Boxwood and native alternatives for Baltimore January 06, 2005 I am looking for a small hedge or shrub, that will look nice year round, and won't get too large. I live in Baltimore, MD. I have heard of Winter Gem Boxwood. Will this prove hardy in my area? H... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasiveness of non-native Lonicera fragrantissima in Austin November 21, 2004 A couple of years ago I mistakenly bought Lonicera fragrantissima (winter bush honeysuckle), thinking it was native. I have since discovered that it is native to China and considered invasive... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Disposal of non-native chinaberry and ligustrum and their seeds October 06, 2004 I've got some chinaberry and ligustrum in a section of our lot that I am going to remove to make room for native plants. Both have berries, & I was wondering if running them through a chipper will ha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native, hybrid petunias August 31, 2004 I have a beautiful Petunia Tiny Tunia Violet plant which has been flowering nicely (in sun and shade environment). Suddenly, a few days ago, it began to look like it's dying--stalks all dried out. Is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on Gloxinias August 20, 2004 How do I care for my newly acquired Gloxinias? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on non-native, invasive pampas grass February 12, 2004 Our neighborhood is doing a community landscaping project and pampas grass has been suggested. Is there a good article related to invasives that specifically mention pampas grass? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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