Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
6 ratings

Wednesday - March 11, 2009

From: Richardson, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Shrubs
Title: Trimming a rock rose in Richardson TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I have a Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala)in my garden. I cannot find any information on how to trim or whether I should trim this plant. If so when? Mine is pretty much growing all over the place and I'd like to shape it up some.

ANSWER:

Pavonia lasiopetala (Texas swampmallow) or rock rose, among other common names, is ordinarily only woody at its base. It definitely benefits from pruning, and if you don't want volunteers coming up under your shrub, deadhead the blooms before they form seed. To keep this plant blooming and prevent legginess, it can be pruned throughout the growing season. Because it is herbaceous above the woody base, it can be trimmed back pretty hard before the foliage appears in the Spring. Continuing light pruning throughout the growing season will maintain denser foliage, keep it from sprawling and encourage more blooms. The pavonia is said to be short-lived, 3 to 6 years, but can be easily propagated from seedlings or softwood cuttings. It is considered hardy from USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 9, and Richardson appears to be between Zones 7a to 8a. You obviously have it in a warm, sheltered spot, and it should do just fine.


Pavonia lasiopetala

Pavonia lasiopetala

Pavonia lasiopetala

Pavonia lasiopetala

 

 

 

More Shrubs Questions

Use of cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens) for tea
February 20, 2006 - Back in the 50's when I spent the summers with my grandmother south of Hondo, Texas, she use to pick leaves from the cenizo (purple sage) bushes, dry them and then brew them for tea. I asked one of m...
view the full question and answer

Low-Maintenance Hedge for Massachusetts
February 17, 2014 - I want to put in a native low-maintenance hedge in a sunny spot with plants that can take dry soil. I would like the plants to grow to less than 4 feet wide. It can be an informal hedge, but I don't ...
view the full question and answer

Name for paloverde look-alike near Colorado Springs
July 26, 2011 - I don't know where this plant comes from. However, I am wondering what the name of plant of the following description would be. It is a shrub, about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It grows in zone 6 t...
view the full question and answer

Are American Hazelnuts Self-Fertile?
November 06, 2014 - I planted an American Hazelnut a couple of years ago that I ordered from a catalog. Is this plant self-fertile or do I need to plant another one? I have seen conflicting information on this subject.
view the full question and answer

Trees for clay soil from Charlotte TX
August 25, 2013 - We have an area in our yard that even Esperanzas won't grow. It is near another that does great. Six Esperanzas are planted in a north/south row about with 10' between plants, the southern most plan...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.