Native Plants
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - April 01, 2008
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Foliage of non-native Japanese maple tree
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
My Japanese maple tree (1 year old) is bright red in early spring. Then it turns green. Is there a way to keep this tree red?ANSWER:
The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. Since the Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) is native to Japan and South Korea, it is out of the area of our expertise here. We were able to pick up a couple of pieces of information that might be of use to you. One source said that the Acer palmatum would retain its color better if it was sheltered from afternoon sun. Another held that different cultivars (cultivated varieties) retain color better than others. This website from Floridata can probably help you with more information.
More Non-Natives Questions
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 the full question and answer
Care of potted non-native geraniums
July 26, 2009 - I live in lower Michigan (Mt. Clemens) and recently purchased 2 small, potted geraniums. They are a beautiful vibrant red in color. As the blooms wilt and turn dark, should I snip that part off the st...
view the full question and answer
Landscaping a new yard in El Paso, TX
July 01, 2010 - I am starting my back yard, we want to plant some sod grass and shade trees. We were doing some research and came across the Paulownia and the Royal Empress tree. I like them since they grow very fast...
view the full question and answer
Pruning Leggy Santolina
January 30, 2016 - We are members of the society and have loved your section offering advice. We have green santolina that is becoming quite leggy. I would like to prune them to get them more compact come spring and sum...
view the full question and answer
Red Shrimp Plant Poisonous for Dogs?
March 07, 2015 - Is the Red Shrimp Plant poison to dogs?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |