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.
rate this answer
Thursday - August 21, 2014
From: Newport, RI
Region: Northeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Diseases and Disorders, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Shasta Daisies without Petals
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
My shasta daisies do not have the white petals, only the yellow center is in bloom. There are no visible signs of insects. They get a good amount of sun - about 5 hours per day. What could be the problem?ANSWER:
Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) are great perennial plants and according to the Missouri Botanical Garden's Plant Finder website, they were originally developed by Luther Burbank in the 1890s near the snow covered Mt. Shasta in northern California. They aren't a native plant but are hybrid crosses made from four plants: Leucanthemum vulgare (European oxeye daisy), Leucanthemum lacustre (Portuguese field daisy), Leucanthemum maximum (Pyrenees chrysanthemum) and Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Japanese field daisy).
Anyway, since there are no signs of insects (although they could have been active at night) and the cultural conditions are adequate for blooms, the plant may be showing signs of Aster Yellows. One symptom of Aster Yellows is deformed flowers without petals (phyllody, which is the development of leaf-like flower petals). This phytoplasma disease is difficult to control and there is no cure. Infected plants should be removed and destroyed if you suspect this is the reason for your petalless flowers.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Why Don't Phlox Bloom?
July 26, 2015 - My summer phlox only bush up but never bloom. They are in full sun.
view the full question and answer
Need source of plants for making teas in Bend, Oregon.
July 08, 2012 - I love to make my own tea, just moved to central Oregon and want to know some good plants I can find anywhere in town and can use in my teas.
view the full question and answer
Deadheading Mexican hat to produce more blooms in Austin
July 05, 2010 - I have several Mexican hat (rudbeckia) plants growing wild in my yard. Would deadheading now give them a second flush of bloom in fall?
view the full question and answer
Nightflowering plants native to Northern Illinois
October 12, 2010 - Looking for any/all info on night flowering plants that are native to Northern Illinois.
view the full question and answer
Pollinators for Palm Springs, CA
June 18, 2015 - Just moved to Palm Springs, California. Hot and dry, desert region. What bee and pollinator-friendly plants would do well with full afternoon sun?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |
