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 - May 14, 2015
From: Fort Myers, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Pruning, Shrubs
Title: Texas sage losing inner leaves
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I have a Texas Sage bush that on the outside is beautiful with green leaves. The inside branches (the middle) of the bush are bare of any leaves. Why?ANSWER:
Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo), or Texas sage, is a dry land plant that responds very strongly to weather conditions. It often loses leaves following a cold winter. Interior leaves tend to drop off if the outer layer of leaves blocks incoming sunlight. Some of these problems are discussed at this website. Texas sage can be pruned severely if desired without permanent damage. I suggest that you prune off some of the outer leaves. The inner portion of the plant will then form new leaves.
More Shrubs Questions
Native boundary hedgerow plants for North Texas
May 31, 2015 - I have 27 acres of native prairie in the western edge of the cross timbers just a few miles south of the Red River between Nocona and Saint Jo, TX. I'm looking for some Texas native plant choices fo...
view the full question and answer
Small shrubs and perennials, low maintenance, for San Antonio
February 06, 2010 - I am helping my 87 year old father landscape his yard in San Antonio. His small yard is about a block from the SA River, near the zoo, and has clay and loam from the river. He wants very low to low wa...
view the full question and answer
Death of Tecoma stans after heavy rain
July 21, 2008 - I had two esperanza plants. They have been planted for about four months, this spring. They were blooming and growing. We had six inches of rain in five days and they began to wilt - and then they d...
view the full question and answer
Need to know about little brown spots on Texas Mountain Laurel
May 11, 2015 - I have little brown spots on my Texas Mountain Laurel leaves. I can email you a picture if needed. What could it be and how can I help my little laurels work thru these spots?
The texas mountain ...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native Eugenia in Scottsdale AZ
June 02, 2012 - I have 5 eugenia topiaries in my courtyard in pots..I notice as the days here in Phoenix get hotter and dry (as usual) they are starting to look bad, even though they are under a shelter out of the di...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |