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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.

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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.

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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!

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Wednesday - July 06, 2011

From: Beaufort, SC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Shrubs
Title: Non-native bougainvillea in Beaufort SC
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Bougainvillea-Can I grow these in Beaufort SC?

ANSWER:

Bougainvillea is native to South America, from the Brazilian coasts west to Peru. 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 areas in which those plants grow natively. We could find no indication of what USDA Hardiness Zone they are hardy to (Beaufort Co. is in Zone 8a), but apparently they can be grown in the Southeast with care. Here is an article from Texas A&M Horticulture Aggie Horticulture on Growing Bougainvilleas.

 

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