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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 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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Sunday - April 15, 2012

From: West Valley City, UT
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Non-Natives, Propagation, Shrubs
Title: Non-native lilacs for Salt Lake City, UT
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Is the weather in Salt Lake City UT good enough to plant a lilac bush root? If not, how long should I wait?

ANSWER:

Syringa vulgaris (lilac) is native to southeastern Europe and eastern Asia and therefore out of the range of expertise of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants, which is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they grow naturally. This USDA Plant Profile map shows lilac growing in the proximity of Salt Lake City. As far as when to plant, since it is not native and will not appear in our Native Plant Database, here is an article that should help you: Growing and Planting Lilac Bush Plants.

 
 

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