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
Wednesday - May 21, 2008
From: Shaker Heights, OH
Region: Midwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Food value of cultivars of eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Can you suggest any resources regarding the wildlife value of native plant cultivars? For example, I can only buy an eastern red Cedar cultivar in my region: "Burkii" or "Emerald Sentinel". I want to know if the berries on either tree will provide food for wildlife-or be ornamental. Thank you.ANSWER:
According to the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Juniperus virginiana 'Burkii' is a male cultivar of Eastern red cedar and thus fruitless. Juniperus virginiana 'Emerald Sentinel', according to University of Connecticut Department of Horticulture, is a female tree that does bear fruit and there is no reason to believe that the fruit will not be nutritious for wildlife.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Finding a native plant garden designer from Austin
April 10, 2011 - I was at the center today and told to contact you on the website for suggestions on who to call to hire a garden designer to come to my house,lay out a garden and select plants, etc.
view the full question and answer
Native plants for Italianate garden
April 29, 2007 - Hi, I am looking at buying a house in Abilene, Texas that has an established burnt grass yard. The house is Italianate and requires bold plantings. Is there a way to establish a relatively Italinate...
view the full question and answer
Colorful plants for window boxes in Indiana
May 26, 2009 - I want to find plants with lots of color that will fill two window boxes and trail out of the boxes and look full and nice throughout the summer. I live in Northern Indiana and the window faces south...
view the full question and answer
Sources of cold hardy, native wildflowers in upstate New York
January 07, 2005 - We are looking for the best wildflower varieties with some challenging requirements. First, we need cold hardy varieties. We are in USDA area 5 in upstate NY. Second, our lot is by a lake bordered b...
view the full question and answer
Honeysuckle bush for San Antonio, Tx
June 14, 2009 - I'm looking for a gift for my brother, living in San Antonio. He loves the native honeysuckle that we both remember from our childhoods. I think I'd like to get him a honeysuckle bush rather than ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |