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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - June 18, 2012
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Trees
Title: Graywater with soap on trees and shrubs from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I previously asked you about using rinse water from our top loading washer to water trees and flowers. I have two more questions: Can I use the soapy water to water trees and shrubs? Then I get an extra 10 gallons per load. Also, our Dynamite Crape Myrtles have a pink edge on the flowers. Is this normal?ANSWER:
We pretty well emptied our basket of information on this subject in our previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer. You might go back and read the links we gave you in that one to refresh your memory.
As for your crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica (crape myrtle) is native to China, Korea and Japan, so we would have no information on its growth habits. Mr. Smarty Plants specializes in plants native not only to North America but to the area in which those plants grow natively. Here is a whole page of pictures of Lagerstroemia indica 'Dynamite' that you can check for pink edges.
More Trees Questions
Toxicity of catalpa wood?
June 05, 2012 - Is the sawdust from cutting up a catalpa tree or the smoke from burning the wood toxic?
Thank you,
view the full question and answer
Removing leaves before transplanting from Miami
August 27, 2009 - What is good idea to remove some leaves before transplanting a plant??
view the full question and answer
Huisache blooms when freeze is over
May 02, 2005 - I live in San Antonio, TX and have heard that when the Huisache blooms all danger of frost or freeze is over. Is that true? And, this year to date (April 22, 2005) we have not seen the Huisache bloo...
view the full question and answer
Need a Replacement for Chinese Tallow tree in Austin, TX
November 26, 2014 - I live in Austin and have a large Chinese Tallow in my front yard. I would like to cut the tree down, but it provides shade to my home. I was hoping to start growing a native fruit/nut tree near the C...
view the full question and answer
Identification of native dogwoods in Williamson Co., TX
March 12, 2007 - Hi Mr/Mrs SmartyPlants
What are the small-ish wild trees that are blooming so beautifully now? They are practically covered in pretty white blossoms. I've always called them dogwoods but in the vari...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |