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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.

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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.

 

 

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