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
Thursday - March 20, 2014
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Wildflower Center work on non-native, invasive Bastard Cabbage from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Still have cabbage weeds that infiltrated Austin awhile back. How did Wildflower Center resolve it?ANSWER:
Sadly, matters like invasive Rapistrum rugosum (Bastard Cabbage) seldom actually get "resolved" even by the stout-hearted gardeners at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. That doesn't mean they have given up nor that they are not continuing control measures.
From our How To Articles, please read Addressing Texas Invasive Plants.
For everyone concerned about these invasions, the word is there is no easy solution. This will take the attention, dedication and HARD WORK for all of us to even reduce the spread of this monster.
Lessons to take away:
If it is not native to your area, don't plant it.
If you have a seed "mix" not from a reputable native plant supplier, don't plant it.
If you see it growing, any size, anywhere, don't leave it there.
If anyone admires those yellow flowers on the hillside, tell them what it is.
And repeat Steps 1 through 4 above to anyone who asks. That's what we do.
More Invasive Plants Questions
Identification of fast-growing weeds with orange flowers
July 14, 2013 - I have fast growing plants (weeds?) in my heavily wooded backyard. They reach heights of over 6 ft and have orange flowers. I have spent hours searching the web today with no success -the closest thin...
view the full question and answer
Invasive horesetail in Belvedere CA
August 23, 2009 - Can I ever get rid of horsetail? It was planted without a barrier and is now in my garden, not quite everywhere yet.
view the full question and answer
Understory planting in Virginia
July 03, 2009 - We have some 10 mature tulip and sycamore trees in our No. VA property. The previous home owners were fond of English Ivy and Japanese pachysandra. We are working hard at replacing these invasives to ...
view the full question and answer
Nativity of various bulbs
October 15, 2014 - Are the following bulbs native?
Chionodoxa forbesii
Camassia leichflinii
Crocus Sprint tommasinianus Barr's Purple
Hyacinthoides hispanica
Narcissus 'Actea'
Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty' ...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control in Spicewood TX
March 20, 2013 - I am from a small community along the Colorado River a few miles East of Marble Falls. We are looking for a ground cover/grass to prevent erosion on on our beach front. We had planned to use Bermuda G...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |