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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - April 22, 2008
From: Austin , Texas, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Trees
Title: Clipping of beans from newly planted Tecoma stans
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I purchased a Esperanza Plant in a pot from a nursery in April of 2008. We planted it and it is doing fine, but came with blooms and beans. Do I need to do clip or prune the beans at this stage of growth?ANSWER:
Tecoma stans (yellow trumpetbush), also called Esperanza, is an excellent West Texas native plant, hardy in mild winters to Central Texas. This article by Dr. William F. Welch on the Esperanza (Tecoma stans), from Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University, gives more details on its care. The seed pods appear right after blooming, throughout the growing season. If you are not interested in propagating the plant using seeds, you might as well clip them off. Possibly this will inspire the plant to produce more blooms, to produce more seeds, to produce more plants..... And it will likely look more tidy, too.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Is Viburnum rufidulum monoecious or dioecious?
July 28, 2014 - Is Viburnum rufidulum monoecious or dioecious? Your database does not address this for most plants.
view the full question and answer
Trees native to North Georgia
September 26, 2008 - What trees are native to North Georgia, (Blue Ridge Mountain, Elijay, Helen) area? Need info. for daughters school report.
view the full question and answer
Drought resistant small tree for Ft. Worth TX
May 22, 2013 - I am looking for suggestions for a small tree (no more than 25 feet max)that is drought resistant but can handle a little irrigation and a lot of wind. Something showy is a plus. Grouped with salvias ...
view the full question and answer
Leaves on new water oak turning brown from Matagorda TX
May 30, 2013 - We had water oaks planted in January when they had no leaves. Leaves came on but are now turning brown.
view the full question and answer
Need to find a place to buy Western Soapberry in Paris, TX.
May 05, 2012 - Where is the closest place to purchase a Western Soapberry tree?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |