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
Tuesday - September 30, 2008
From: Moreland, GA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Problems with non-native Cleyera in Georgia
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I had a landscaper plant 4 Cleyera around my front porch. I have had them for about 9 years now and they are very hardy, each one being about 4 feet in width, 5 feet high and have been very healthy until now. I have never had a problem with them. I had one to just die on me here about 4 weeks ago and now it is affecting the others around it. The others are starting to die now. Also, when learning about these plants, I never knew that they bloomed and as far as I know, I have never seen mine bloom. But I do know they look exactly like the cleyera. I guess it could be a varying form for cleyera. Can you give me some insight as to why they may be dying? thank you for taking your time to read my question and I look forward to hearing from you or if you can not help, maybe give me some other information as to where I may get help with my question.ANSWER:
Ternstroemia gymnathera, Cleyera, is a native of China and Japan, and therefore out of our expertise at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. While we would like to answer all questions we receive, Mr. Smarty Plants' work is limited to plant species native to North America, their habitats and cultivation. Limited resources require us to decline answering questions that delve into other areas. We hope you understand. However, we did find this previous answer by Mr. Smarty Plants that addressed problems with Cleyera, and could lead you to other information on it.
More Non-Natives Questions
Replacing non-native iceplant in El Cajon CA
June 11, 2010 - Help! We are clearing fungus dead iceplant on a massive steep bank. Should I avoid replacing it with more iceplant? Would myaporum prostrate be a better option? Fast growing, erosion resistant, zero m...
view the full question and answer
Mulberry sap in the bloodstream from Kansas City
November 13, 2010 - What affect does mulberry sap have if put in contact with the blood stream?
view the full question and answer
Failure to bloom of non-native Althea in Oklahoma
August 17, 2008 - I have 2 Althea bushes that will not bloom. For the past 2 years, they become covered in buds, which eventually yellow, but never open. The buds are fully developed. This year the branches have starte...
view the full question and answer
How to care for non-native gardenia
May 10, 2010 - My gardenia is about 20 years old about 5 feet tall and for the first time is leggy looking this year, not too many leaves and they don't look real healthy. Do I need to cut it back some. Last year...
view the full question and answer
Failure to thrive of non-native Japanese maple
May 03, 2010 - My 10 year old Japanese red maple leaves suddenly started to curl up and die at the end of summer last year. Only about a quarter of the tree leaved out this spring, branches are dead. Can I plant ano...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |