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topicquestion
Manzanita Not Growing Well
July 11, 2016
Dear Mr Smarty Plants, I have a four native Dr. Hurd manzanitas growing in my yard, which I planted three years ago. Three seem quite happy with lots of foliage. The fourth has foliage only on this ye...
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Trees for Privacy Screening in Central Texas
July 11, 2016
I live in Cedar Park, Texas and have a neighbor who likes to have parties. I need a evergreen tree/hedge that will provide privacy and sound barrier. We have some wax myrtles but they don't work. We ...
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Shrub for Shady Austin, Texas Backyard
July 11, 2016
I am looking for a colorful shrub or bush for my drab backyard in Austin. It won't get much sun and I want something native that detracts bugs if possible.
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Drought Resistant Privacy Screen for North Side of Austin Texas House
July 10, 2016
We live in the densely populated Mueller development, where there's barely 3 feet from our home to the 6 foot high privacy fence between us and the house next door. Since the houses are 2 stories, we ...
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When Should I Prune Texas Sage?
July 07, 2016
How and when do you prune Texas sage to encourage thicker foliage?
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Shrubs for Privacy Fence in Hawaii
July 06, 2016
I live in Hawaii and need to create some privacy along a wall of my house. The septic drain field is 5' away and I am looking for 6'-8' shrubs that have shallow roots. Would something like cordyline f...
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Savannah Holly True to Seed?
July 03, 2016
I read your information on Savannah holly. Does this mean that none of the berries will produce a Savannah holly (Ilex x attenuata) but will either be Ilex cassine or Ilex opaca seeds? Thanks so much...
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Bird Attracting Shrub for NH
July 03, 2016
I am trying to attract birds to my newly built home's front yard. I have no foliage out front near our picture window. I live in Londonderry, NH. What bush or shrub can I plant that will attract bird...
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Problem with Adding 5 inches of Mulch and Soil Under Juniper
July 03, 2016
My landscaper added about 3" of mulch and 2" of dirt under my ashe junipers to create a planting bed. Several have turned gold/yellowish this winter including a female tree. They are still flexible an...
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Shade Shrubs for a NJ Slope
June 27, 2016
I live in central NJ and have a 15' shaded slope behind my home with a creek on the bottom. The slope erodes a little every year and I want to plant native plants on the slope to stop the erosion. Wha...
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Sophora seeds to give away
April 13, 2016
When we moved to TX years ago we bought a mountain laurel so we could have the beautiful purple flowers and were disappointed when the flowers every year were white (with a few purple ones here and th...
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Red bugs have appeared on my Texas mountain laurel
April 10, 2016
What should I do about the red bugs on my mountain laurel?
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Need to identify Cherry laurel varietyin Bee Caves, TX
March 29, 2016
I recently had cherry laurels installed in my yard for privacy. Unfortunately, the landscaper does not know what type of cherry laurel they are. The tag from the tree says Che-Com which to me might in...
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mixed species privacy hedge in Central Texas
March 24, 2016
I need to plant a privacy hedge along a fence line. I am in east Austin, blackland prairie soil. The soil is rich, usually at least moist but not soggy, and I find lots of worms when I dig. The fen...
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When to Prune Desert Willow in Texas?
March 18, 2016
I just learned I should have pruned back my desert willows. It's early March in North Texas. Is it too late to prune now? They are not leafing out yet.
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Identification of evergreen bush with red berries
March 17, 2016
I am a beekeeper and today I took some pictures of a bush about 8 ft. tall in my neighbors yard. My bees are all over the tiny white flowers. It appears to be an evergreen bush because it has foliag...
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Lopidea on Texas Mountain Laurel
March 10, 2016
How do I get rid of lopidea on mountain laurel?
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Location of Elbow Bush and Gregg's Saddlebush at the Wildflower Center
March 10, 2016
I have twice looked for Forestiera pubescens (Elbow Plant) and Mortonia greggi (Gregg's Saddlebush) in your gardens and have been unable to find. I have looked on the trails as well. Would you be a...
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Growing Texas mountain laurel in a pot
March 07, 2016
I have a really good friend who Mom pass away just recently and they were the best of friends. She loved her mother dearly and did tons of stuff together. Recently I posted a picture of a Mountain L...
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Should flower stems of Texas mountain laurel be removed after they bloom?
March 02, 2016
Should I trim off the old flower stems from this years bloom on a Texas Mountain Laurel?
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Pruning Wax Myrtle trees & bushes
February 28, 2016
When is the best time of year to prune Wax Myrtle trees & bushes.
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Two Holly Cultivars for a Texas Front Landscape?
February 22, 2016
We are starting a new with our landscape. All existing 30-year-old plants are going to be removed. We would like a focal point at the front door area and are considering 'Savannah' or 'Nellie R. St...
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How to Control Poison Ivy
February 22, 2016
We have lots of Poison Ivy on a site we are clearing it is adjacent to a pond and children are around this area all the time. We are creating hiking paths. I have a lot of experience but I do not wan...
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Spacing for Dogwoods and Cotoneasters
February 21, 2016
How close should Dogwoods and Cotoneasters be to bricks?
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Pruning overgrown Texas sage
February 15, 2016
Texas sage bushes have been left to grow like mini trees. Can we have trimmed back to get a 'full' bush? Bottom 2 feet of plant look so dead. Will it sprout again as a bush if trimmed back and do...
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Rejuvenating an old Wax myrtle hedge
February 15, 2016
I have 8 wax myrtles that were planted about 9 years ago as a screen from our neighbors. They are about 12 feet high. During the past 9 months they are getting thinner and thinner. Two of them hav...
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Viburnum Leaf Beetle Damage to Native Viburnums
February 02, 2016
Dear Friends, I am an officer of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, a Staten Island, NY land conservation organization which also involves itself in forest restoration and invasive species control projects...
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Maine Coastal Shrub for Choral Composition
January 30, 2016
I'm a choral composer writing a piece of music about Maine. What kind of shrubby things hang on to the rocky bluffs, right by the sea? I'm an avid native plant gardener, but I know my own Massachu...
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Evergreen privacy screen 8 feet or less
January 29, 2016
In needing to plant an evergreen privacy screen, what is the tallest Ceniza variety? I'm having great difficulty finding an evergreen hedge material 8' or less. After having taken a class in pla...
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Privacy Hedge Plant for CA
January 26, 2016
We recently moved into a new home right on the border of Cherry Valley and Beaumont, Ca. We are at an elevation of 2,900 ft. We are looking for a plant that we can use as a privacy hedge along our bac...
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Western Poison Oak Sap Transfer
January 26, 2016
My partner is a park ranger and constantly exposed to poison oak. He gets infected sometimes but mostly seems to tolerate it pretty well. I, on the other hand, keep getting reinfected with it, all ove...
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Shrub Recommendation for Chain Link Fence in DE
January 26, 2016
What shrub would you recommend for covering a chain link fence and providing a screen between mine & my neighbors yard? They have kids, so it would have to be non-toxic. I'd like flowers/berries for ...
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Shrubs for 2,000 feet Elevation in AZ
January 23, 2016
What shrubs can I plant in New River, AZ, 2,000 feet above sea level?
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Climbing Roses for the Pacific Northwest
January 23, 2016
I'm trying to find out which types of climbing roses may exist in the Pacific Northwest. I live in western Washington, and I have a small yard with several large hedges bordering it. I'm growing hai...
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Reducing the Height of a Redbud Tree
January 23, 2016
We have a very large, about 15-year old, Redbud tree that is growing so tall it's obstructing our view of the river. How and when can we prune this tree back so it does not hurt the tree.
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Pruning a Martha Gonzales rose
January 20, 2016
How much should I prune back an established Martha Gonzales Rose to keep healthy?
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Can a dog die from eating a holly bush?
January 12, 2016
Can a dog die from eating a holly bush?
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What is the bush that has very bright red berries in the fall/winter and no leaves?
December 27, 2015
What is the name of the bush that has very bright red berries in the fall/winter and no leaves? I am familiar with amour honeysuckle, and I'm sure that it is not that.
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Non-Toxic Hedge for Wisconsin
December 17, 2015
What would be a good non-toxic for dogs, privacy hedge about 3-6 feet tall for Wisconsin climate zone 4b?
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Shrubs for Birds and Bees in North Texas
December 17, 2015
I have a small backyard and would love to grow native plants for North Texas. I don't think I can grow trees, but for sure can do 1-2 crape myrtle-size shrubs. I have some rose of Sharon's going on ...
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Narrow, Small Tree for Austin, Texas Yard
December 17, 2015
I need recommendation on what type of tree to plant between our neighbors and our home. The wall to wall space is 15 feet at best, with a fence in between. Currently we have a young mulberry but are b...
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Transplanting Evergreen Sumac
December 09, 2015
I would like to transplant evergreen sumac from my back to the front yard. They are about 6-8 foot tall. I live in El Paso, TX and it gets plenty of sunlight. I am wondering 1) Is November in El Paso,...
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Decreasing the Height of Smooth Sumac
December 09, 2015
I have a 9-10 ft. Smooth Sumac that I purchased from an LJWC plant sale several years ago. It has a main trunk and one branch about halfway up. I have read that these sumacs can be pruned down to almo...
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Dividing Hesperaloe
December 09, 2015
How and when can I successfully separate a clump of Hesperaloe Parviflora into smaller bunches?
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Erosion Control Shrubs and Groundcovers for Steep NY Wooded Slope
November 28, 2015
I need to cover a couple of very steep slopes in upstate New York that are partially wooded and near a brook. The slopes are about 130 feet back from the brook. Someone estimated that there is a coupl...
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Propagating Bauhinia lunarioides
November 28, 2015
For a Master Gardener Intern project I am attempting to propagate the native orchid tree/Anacacho, Bauhinia lunarioides via root, cuttings, and seed. I have scarified the seeds - how long should it ta...
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Thorn bushes for a fence in Puerto Rico
November 17, 2015
I'm looking for thorn bushes that grow in Puerto Rico. Want to use as fence to keep wild life in. Thanks, at least 5 ft tall so dogs can't get out.
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Evergreen shrub for Austin TX shade
October 24, 2015
I live in Austin, TX. I'm looking for a 4 season shrub for a partially shaded area that gets about 3 hours of sun towards the evening. It's mostly partially shaded.
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Food Allergy to Beautyberry or Persimmon?
October 22, 2015
I think I might have a food allergy to Beautyberry or American Persimmon, eaten Saturday at the North Carolina Great Dismal park. These were the only strange foods recently, though I've had persimmo...
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Native plants that do not attract any kind of wildlife.
October 19, 2015
Hi I live in Bexar County, Texas and I was wondering what would be some good NATIVE plants that could be planted in yards that do not attract any kind of wildlife (so no berries, nuts, fruits, thick c...
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