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
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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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
Avoiding planting Indian Paintbrush in Hawaii because of invasiveness
March 01, 2007 - My daughter is living in Hilo, Hawaii. For her birthday, her boyfriend ordered her some Indian Paintbrush seeds. Trying to be sure she grows them correctly in a pot, she found instructions that say ...
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Identity of Dwarf Oyster Plant.
June 02, 2009 - I purchased a plant from the local Home Depot, and it said on the sticker in was a Dwarf Oyster Plant. I can't seem to find any information on that name, so maybe it was marked wrong. See if you ca...
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What is wrong with cultivars of native plants?
May 26, 2009 - What is wrong with cultivars of native plants? My state native plant society won't allow cultivars at their annual sale, and the native plant nursery from which I order only offers the species. But a...
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Sources for ruellia from Houston
January 19, 2014 - I want to get a bunch of either ruellia nudiflora or ruellia drummondiana in my butterfly garden. But I cannot find it anywhere, and I have no idea where to get plants or seeds. Seems most vendors...
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Definition of a weed
April 22, 2003 - What is your definition of a weed?
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