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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members 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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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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Monday - June 08, 2015

From: Elgin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Shrubs
Title: Are Texas Sage plants being harmed by nearby Rosemary.
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

For 6+ years I've been growing Rosemary shrubs interspersed with Texas Sage. For the past two years the Texas Sage has been looking sickly and have not produced any flowers and the Rosemary is becoming huge. My question is: could the Rosemary be depleting the soil? If so, is there something I could add to the Texas Sage to help it, or should I try to transplant it?

ANSWER:

As Rosemary grows larger, it does tend to deplete the resources around it.  It is very likely that your Rosemary is causing the decline of your Texas Sage.  Annual addition of a thin layer of decomposed compost along with increased water in dry times might help, but chances are your Texas Sage will continue to decline from its proximity to your Rosemary.

 

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