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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - October 29, 2011
From: San Francisco, CA
Region: California
Topic: Non-Natives, Shrubs
Title: Root growth on non-native Pittisporum Tobira from San Francisco
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
How do the roots grow and spread for the Pittosporum Tobira shrub? I have one that is about 20 feet tall and wonder how to care for it? Do you have a picture of how the roots grow?ANSWER:
The Pittosporum 'Tobira' is native to southern Japan, China and Korea and therefore does not appear in our Native Plant Database. Mr. Smarty Plants does not recommend any plants not native to North America or to the areas in which those plants grow naturally. Since we cannot help you, you might read this Botany.com website on Pittosporum.
More Non-Natives Questions
Failure to thrive of non-native Purple Orchid Tree
March 09, 2009 - We planted purple orchid tree Texas,zone 9 two weeks ago and all leaves turned brown.My husband used root stimulator with enough water as the instructions said.We took all brown leaves off and now it...
view the full question and answer
Yellowing of fronds on Sago Palm
March 27, 2007 - Our Sago Palm now has all yellow fronds from the Winter frosts.
Should they be cut off? Will the plant grow new fronds from the bottom to replace the ugly looking ones that are there? And why do I se...
view the full question and answer
Failure to thrive of closet plant
August 13, 2008 - I have a closet plant that is old and was doing fine and then started having droopy leaves. It needed to be in a larger pot so I transplanted into a larger pot with new potting soil. It continues to...
view the full question and answer
Ants in vegetable garden in Muskogee OK
May 25, 2011 - I have ants in my vegetable garden this spring - I think because of all the rain. I think they are the culprits that ruined my spinach and swiss chard. They have left all the lettuces alone..but you...
view the full question and answer
Removal and disposal of very invasive non-native water hyacinth
September 07, 2007 - I was given some Eichhornia crassipes, don't know how to care for them. Do you put them in some potting soil then put the pot in water? When do they bloom? Can they stay in the water during winter in...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |