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.

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Sunday - June 22, 2008

From: Cherry Hill, NJ
Region: Northeast
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Is crape myrtle deer resistant
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Is Crape Myrtle deer resistant?

ANSWER:

First of all, Lagoertroemia indica (crape myrtle) is an introduced plant from Asia and is not a plant native to North America. Since what we are all about here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is "to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes", Mr. Smarty Plants hopes you will consider a native tree rather than crape myrtle. You can see a list of Recommended Species for New Jersey. This a list of "Commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in New Jersey". You can also find a list of native "Deer Resistant" plants.