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

Friday - March 11, 2016
From: Phoenix , AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Removing Center Stem From Desert Spoon (Sotol) in Phoenix
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
I have a desert spoon. I hate the center stem. Can I remove the center stem without hurting the rest of the plant? And what is the best way to remove it? I looked for this answer in your questions but didn't find it.ANSWER:
The center stem you refer to is the flower of Dasylirion wheeleri (Common sotol) and is one of the plant's most distinctive features. This flower attracts bees, hummingbirds and can even be baked and the juice distilled to make an alcoholic drink called sotol. Are you sure you want to get rid of that?
If you are bound and determined, then how to remove it? The same way porcupines mate - veeeery carefully. Those leaves will slice you up if they get hold of you. Wear protective clothing (including eyeware) and reach in with long handled loppers if it is small or a pole saw if it is big.
Again, are you really sure you want to do that?
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Wildlife garden for Austin
May 19, 2013 - I am trying to make my backyard more wildlife friendly. I have pecan trees for the canopy and some understory shrub/trees like rough leaf dogwood and redbud. I am having a really hard time finding sui...
view the full question and answer
Wind and erosion tolerant plants from Austin
August 05, 2013 - I recently cleared a fire break by removing cedar from around my home in West Austin. I'd like to plant the exposed NW facing slope with native shrubs and trees. Looking for selections that can wit...
view the full question and answer
Problems for non-native St. Augustine grass from Little Rock AR
July 18, 2012 - We sodded St. Augustine grass four weeks ago. For the first three weeks we had no rain and temperatures over 100 degrees. We have watered 20 minutes twice a day since installation. There are brown pat...
view the full question and answer
Allowing Habiturf to seed out in Austin TX or Austin OR
November 21, 2013 - What does it mean to let habiturf "go to seed?" Do I need to wait for all the seeds to drop before that is true? Or, if I mow it when there are seed heads, will those seeds provide new plants in the...
view the full question and answer
Flowering native perennials for St. Louis
August 09, 2007 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I'm trying to landscape a yard that sits on rocky clay soil in St. Louis, MO. The front yard has been difficult because of its brutal southern exposure - the afternoon sun ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |