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 - October 19, 2007
From: Warren, CT
Region: Northeast
Topic: Trees
Title: Do I need to plant a male winterberry? yes
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I planted a female winterberry in early July & although I have been watering it regularly the leaves turned brown on the tips in Sept. No berries yet so will I have to plant a male? Thanks, CarolANSWER:
Winter berry (Ilex verticillata (common winterberry)) is a member of the Holly family, but its leaves lack the sharp spines of other hollies, and it is not evergreen. It is native to the US, and is distributed in all of the states east of the Mississippi River plus Texas.
You didn't mention if your plant flowered this year, and of course if there are no flowers, there will be no berries. Bloom time for Winterberry is April to July. Another requisite for berries is a pollen source, ie.a "male" Winterberry plant. If there are none in the vicinity, you will need to plant one to ensure those beautiful red berries in the fall (next fall that is).
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Soil for native Chilopsis linearis and Salvia greggii
February 08, 2010 - I want to plant a desert willow and a salvia greggii in my small lot. The developer used sandy loam to fill in the small garden in the front. I am 73 and a bit impaired. Do I really need to remove ...
view the full question and answer
Source for trees from Burnet TX
August 19, 2012 - I am desperately searching the central Texas area for Pistacia Mexicana male and female trees to buy. I would like about four, maybe more. I live in the Killeen-Lampasas area and have been to seve...
view the full question and answer
Unknown pest of Texas Mountain Laurel from Round Rock TX
May 24, 2012 - I have a Texas Mountain Laurel that is being denuded from the top down by something unseen. It's not the Genista moth larvae, as there are no worms and no webbing visible. The only clue that it might...
view the full question and answer
Will damage to live oak root make it more susceptible to oak wilt
December 24, 2012 - Hi. I knicked the root of a live oak when digging. Will this hurt the tree and make it more succeptible to wilt? Is there something I can use to protect the exposed part of the root and make it les...
view the full question and answer
Mulching tree root in San Angelo, TX
April 02, 2014 - San Angelo, Texas is in a drought stage. Will it help our trees to mulch the base of them?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |