Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Sunday - November 28, 2010
From: Dallas, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Browning of non-native Plectranthus in Dallas
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I live in Dallas and planted 'Mona Lavender' which is now brown and limp after overnight temps in the low 30's. Is it dead or will it come back? Do I need to cover these plants during the winter months? What care should be taken with these plants?ANSWER:
Turns out 'Mona Lavender' is not, as we first thought, a selection of the Meditteranean plant Lavandula, but instead is a Plectranthus native to South Africa. Since the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plants are being grown, this falls out of our area of expertise. However, we found an article from Texas A&M Cooperative Extension, Bexar County on Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' which has answers to your questions. Since it is a tropical, it definitely should have been brought in, especially as far north in Texas as Dallas, and we don't know if it will recover.
Pictures of 'Mona Lavender' from Google
More Non-Natives Questions
Replacing non-native invasives with native grasses and wildflowers from Round Rock TX
April 04, 2012 - I have a small piece of property (1.5 AC) East of Austin, Texas that get's overgrown with weedy vegetation (johnson grass, dandelion, and some tall yellow flowering plant that I see all over the medi...
view the full question and answer
Drought affecting non-native Zoysia grass in Austin
November 06, 2011 - Due to the extreme drought here in Austin this year and the watering restrictions our Zoysia lawn has suffered and appears to be dead in many areas of our lawn. Will it come back? Is there anything w...
view the full question and answer
Identity of plant at funeral that smells similar to honeysuckle
April 04, 2013 - What plant or flower smells similar to honeysuckle?
I live in Ohio and I smelled some kind of flower or plant at a friends funeral last spring that smelled similar to honeysuckle. It was...
view the full question and answer
Disease problems of non-native Weeping Willow
August 16, 2006 - Could you please tell me why my weeping willow has got pink coloured leaves and seems very dry the bark is splitting and seems full of wood worm?
view the full question and answer
Replacement for non-native St. Augustine in San Antonio
May 26, 2011 - I have a large oak tree on one side of my front yard. St. Augustine grass does not grow there because of the shade. What do you recommend as a replacement for the St. Augustine? I would like to send...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
