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
Friday - May 08, 2015
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: What to do about bastard cabbage in the Austin area?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I am noticing bastard cabbage taking over roadsides and medians at an alarming rate where a mixture of native flowers used to bloom. Is it allowable to organize efforts to pull the invasive plants out along public roads? Or does the State of Texas have any plans to address this invasive plant that is elbowing out bluebonnets, paintbrush, etc.?ANSWER:
Lots of folks are dismayed by the invasion of this obnoxious plant into the Hill Country, but the State of Texas has problems probably more pressing than bastard cabbage.
Here is a link to an article from the May issue of “Wildflower Wire” that tells what the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is doing about it. In the article, Dr. Simmons suggests that pulling up the pest is one way to address the problem, and this is where you come in.
You are probably familiar with the Adopt-A-Highway Program that was established by TXDOT to combat the litter problem along Texas roadways. If people can organize groups to pick up litter, it seems to Mr. Smarty Plants that they can organize groups to pull up bastard cabbage. This link to TEXDOT contains “Adopt-A-Highway Participation Guidelines”. Maybe you can form a group that does both; pick up litter as well as pull up bastard cabbage.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Interested in a mini food forest
February 04, 2013 - I am interested in starting a mini "food forest" in a twelve foot by twelve foot patch of earth next to my house. I'd like to put a focus on making sure that the bulk of the plants I introduce are ...
view the full question and answer
Where can white prickly poppy be viewed en mass from Baton Rouge LA?
January 16, 2013 - Does the center feature the native White Prickly Poppy? When is prime blooming season? Can you give me some specific locations in the area where the plant can be seen en mass and photographed? Thank...
view the full question and answer
Plants to prevent erosion in IL
August 02, 2012 - We just got done building a house and have leveled all of the dirt piles. We do have a row of straw bales to help prevent the dirt from washing onto the neighbors property. It is the wrong time of ye...
view the full question and answer
Establishing wildflowers on a slope in Virginia
August 18, 2012 - From Roanoke Virginia. I have a steep bank rising from one side of my driveway to woods above. Different areas vary from full sun, to half day shade. It is possible to carefully walk/stand on it, we a...
view the full question and answer
Is Canna glauca invasive?
June 10, 2015 - How aggressive is Canna glauca? I'm interested in planting one near a gutter downspout, but I'm afraid it will crowd out groundcovers (heartleaf skullcap and fall obedient plant) in the two location...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |