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
Friday - June 07, 2013
From: Nashville, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Shrubs
Title: Difference beteen two non-native photinias from Nashville TN
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
What is the difference between red tip phontinias and fireball phontinias. I read that fireballs are also called red tips but I thought that red tips grow to like 12 ft. and the tag on the fireball I just bought says it grows to 3-4 ft.? I want the variety that grows to 12 ft.ANSWER:
Please read this previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer. Then, please consider using plants native to the Davidson County area, in the north central part of Tennessee. We will go to our Native Plant Database and, scrolling down the page to use the Combination Search, designate Tennessee for State, "shrub" for habit and 6 ft. to 12 ft. for Height. Since we don't know how much sunlight the area you want to plant has nor your Soil Moisture, we will have to leave those blank, but you could do your own search putting in whatever requirements you have. We will give you a sample list, first checking to make sure each shrub we choose is, indeed, native to your area.
Shrubs for Tennessee:
Amorpha fruticosa (Indigo bush)
Calycanthus floridus (Eastern sweetshrub)
Corylus americana (American hazelnut)
Lindera benzoin (Northern spicebush)
Philadelphus inodorus (Scentless mock orange)
Physocarpus opulifolius (Atlantic ninebark)
Rhus aromatica (Fragrant sumac)
Rhododendron canescens (Mountain azalea)
Viburnum acerifolium (Mapleleaf viburnum)
You can follow each plant link to our webpage on that shrub to find out its growing conditions, moisture and soil needs and bloom time. If you have difficulty locating thse native plants in local nurseries, go to our National Suppliers Directory, put your town and state or just your zipcode in the "Enter Search Location Box and click on GO. This will give you a list of native plant nurseries, seed suppliers and consultants in your general area. All have contact information so you can check for availability before you go shopping.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Recovering neglected garden space from Grapevine TX
March 22, 2014 - I live in Grapevine TX (Dallas). I just moved into a house where almost the entire large backyard is covered by oak trees that shed tons of leaves throughout our mild falls/winters. The yard has not...
view the full question and answer
Removal of non-native invasive Ligustrum japonica from Austin
February 14, 2012 - I bought a house that I am slowly turning into a native garden, but as a teacher, I have a really small budget. One entire border of my backyard (30 feet) was planted with evil Ligustrum japonica. I l...
view the full question and answer
Possible maple scale on non-native mophead hydrangeas from Newport RI
August 07, 2013 - I have a mophead hydrangea that has small white cottony tufts under the leaves and on the stems. I believe this is maple scale. Is there a home remedy I can use to rid this disease?
view the full question and answer
Will a Texas Mountain Laurel thrive in a 4'x4'x4' brick planter. pl
September 14, 2015 - Would a Texas Mountain Laurel thrive in a 4'x4'x4'x4' brick planter with a drain at the bottom? It will get full sun all day. If not, would a Green Cloud Sage or a Waxleaf Myrtle work? Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Plants for a condo garden in Decatur GA
February 12, 2009 - I recently moved into a condo in Decatur (just outside Atlanta). I am now working on the back yard - just a patio and dirt right now. It is a small space and is shaded much of the day but does get s...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |