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
Tuesday - May 06, 2014
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: A Crabapple for the Austin, TX area.
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I am in search of crab apples. Don't they grow in Austin? I can not seem to be able to locate any here. Any suggestions?ANSWER:
Only one crabapple is native to central Texas. Malus ioensis var. texana, Blanco Crabapple is native to riparian areas within the Blanco River drainage and in some surrounding localities on the Edwards Plateau. Its native range is not known to include Travis County. You can see several examples of the tree in our gardens.
Some locally-owned nurseries may carry Blanco Crabapple as it is a lovely small tree bearing stunning pink flowers in April and scads of small fruit in fall. Its fruit is not the best of the crabapples for eating. However, its fall color is among the best of any of the apples. The Wildflower Center typically has a few trees of Blanco Crabapple at our April and October fund-raising sales, but they tend to go quickly. Members have the first crack at them on the Friday of plant sale weekends.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
An evergreen, deer-resistant shrub for Memphis
July 24, 2013 - I need an evergreen, deep to partial shade, deer resistant shrub or tree. Does such a plant exist?
view the full question and answer
Need to identify leaf extensions on the leaves of an elm sapling in Houston, Tx.
May 22, 2013 - I have an elm sapling which grows strange leave extensions on its leaves. Can I send you a picture? Tree looks healthy
view the full question and answer
Inquiry about the Arizona Cypress trees in the Family Garden
March 20, 2015 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I recently visited The Wildflower Center and enjoyed seeing several features that were new since my last visit two years ago. In the Family Garden areas I saw several beautifu...
view the full question and answer
Hedgerow to block sounds and scenes of traffic
May 01, 2011 - What would make the best year round hedgerow to block the sight and sounds of traffic 60 feet from my house?
view the full question and answer
Southern Magnolia Damaged by Deer
April 16, 2015 - I have a young Southern Magnolia (about 6 feet tall) that was damaged by deer on the main trunk. The bottom 2 feet looks okay, but where they damaged it and tore branches off, and above that, the leav...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |