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
Monday - June 09, 2008
From: Temple, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Pests, Trees
Title: Secretions of fluid from crepe myrtles
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
On my crepe myrtle tree I have dozens of 1/2-inch-long narrow bugs that seem to secrete tiny drops of fluid. They appear on the branches of the tree. Are these harmful to the tree? Do I need to do anything about this? I live in Temple, TXANSWER:
It is most likely the offending insects are aphids, as described in this article from the University of California Integrated Pest Management. They vary somewhat is size and appearance, but they all suck liquids out of the plant and secrete it again, usually causing a fungus called sooty mold to appear. They attack many different plants but they really love crape myrtles. Since this problem comes up about this time every year, see this previous answer with the information you are looking for.
More Non-Natives Questions
Japanese lilac trees in Lehi UT
July 31, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, We live in Utah and this past spring planted three Japanese Lilac Trees in the lawn next to the deck hoping they would one day provide some shade. They are planted in full sun ...
view the full question and answer
Wintering of non- native jasmine in Newton KS
September 18, 2010 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants,
I received a gorgeous jasmine for mothers day and I planted it in my front yard in the flower area close to the house. Can I keep it there all winter or do I need to dig it up a...
view the full question and answer
Firecracker plants not growing in Ft. Worth
June 09, 2010 - I live in Fort Worth, TX and last fall planted several firecracker plants. It's now June and they're not growing. How can I tell if they are still alive?
view the full question and answer
Swarming insects on non-native willow in Washington PA
September 25, 2011 - I have had a very large, beautiful pillow willow bush/tree growing next to our garage for about 8 years. Last year at the end of August, it began to attract white-faced hornets and yellow jackets by t...
view the full question and answer
Invasive, non-native Paulownia
May 03, 2006 - Hi. We would like to plant a fast growing tree that will provide shade for our house. What do you think of the Paulownia tree (Empress Tree) as a possibility for the Austin area? If this is not a g...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |