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
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - April 23, 2011

From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Can Dicentra exemia survive in Texas from Houston
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Is the Houston/Austin area too hot to grow "Bleeding Hearts" dicentra eximia (King of Hearts) They seem to grow in the wild in Maryland, Virginia, and Tennessee.

ANSWER:

About all we can tell you is that this USDA Plant Profile map for Dicentra eximia (Turkey corn) does not show it growing anywhere close to Texas, period. Its habitat generally is considered to be the southern mountain forests. It likes shade, and a moist acidic soil. Follow the plant link above to see what else our Native Plant Database has to say about it, and then read Pink Fringed Bleeding Hearts from Paghat's Garden. The funny thing is, in terms of USDA Hardiness Zones, acidic soil (in Houston), and shade requirements, you should be able to grow it in Houston, but it doesn't seem to be happening. If you can lay your hands on some for propagation, and are willing to respect the cultural requirements, it might at least be worth a try.

From our Native Plant Imsge Gallery:


Dicentra eximia


Dicentra eximia


Dicentra eximia


Dicentra eximia

 

 

 

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Weeds from neighbor's yard are a problem.
May 11, 2015 - Our neighbor has let his front yard go wild. Many of these native wild plants are very invasive. How can I stop their spreading into our yard? There are too many to try & keep up with pulling them as ...
view the full question and answer

Does a cenizo really predict rain in Austin?
July 18, 2009 - Mr. Smarty Plants, folklore has it that the flowering of Cenizo (aka Barometer Bush) is a predictor of rain fall. The Cenizo in South Austin is blooming profusely right now. Does this portend a Noac...
view the full question and answer

Native perennials for Missouri City, TX
March 19, 2014 - I checked all the questions for my area and still need help. What are some native perennials for southeast Texas
view the full question and answer

Bringing Non-native Cannas out of Winter Storage
February 15, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Plants - Is it possible to force canna tubers? Would placing them on a heating pad help? I am in Ohio - zone 5. Thank you
view the full question and answer

Managing non-native invasive creeping yellow cress in Rio Medina TX
January 10, 2012 - Due to my lawn mower dying and waiting for the shop to fix it my yard got a bit overgrown. I was walking around the yard looking at the blooming wildflowers and have discovered that one of them is Ror...
view the full question and answer

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