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
Monday - May 18, 2009
From: Indianola, WA
Region: Northwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Problems with peonies in Indianola, WA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
My 5 year old peony plant didn't come up. I thought it was dead so I dug it up. I found a clump of thick roots. I separated them, and then realized these were probably the bulbs. It is the middle of May by Seattle. Can I save these? There is no growth showing on the bulbs, I have about 10 to 15 of them.ANSWER:
There are 2 members of the Paeonia genus native to North America. While Paeonia brownii (Brown's peony) is native to Washington, Paeonia californica (California peony) is not. So, we're thinking you are asking about Paeonia lactiflora, which is native to Siberia, China and Japan. It is the large, showy flower you usually think of when you consider peonies. At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, we are focused on the care, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being grown. Since the Paeonia lactiflora is non-native to North America, we will have no information on it in our Native Plant Database. Hopefully, there will be information in this Garden Helper site, Paeonia lactiflora that will give you the help you need.
More Non-Natives Questions
Non-Blooming Bridal Wreath Spirea in PA
April 23, 2015 - We have 12 - 15 Bridal Wreath Spirea across our backyard. We have lived here for about 10 years (the plants longer). They have always bloomed except last year (2014) several didn't bloom and this y...
view the full question and answer
Failure of non-native mock orange to bloom
June 12, 2008 - We have a mature mock orange shrub that is very healthy but has not bloomed at all. What can we do?
view the full question and answer
Pruning non-native oleanders
September 28, 2011 - I have an oleander that has become to "leggy". I read the pruning instructions, but where I want to prune, there are not any leaf nodes. Can I trim below at the base, or will I hurt the plant? I ...
view the full question and answer
Micro clover for groundcover
March 10, 2012 - Hi there! I am interested in overseeding my lawn with a micro clover mix.. however, I cannot find any information on the web about how it might act here in Central Texas. Do you have any experience wi...
view the full question and answer
Alternatives to non-native, invasive Pampa grass
August 11, 2006 - Could you please tell me if Cortaderia Selloana is "zone 4" hardy? Also how to start Opuntia Humifusa from cuttings? Do I let them stand upright dry and with no soil until they form the callous? Ple...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |