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
Sunday - November 30, 2008
From: Ocala, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Non-native Bird of Paradise plant (Strelitzia reginae)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have two Bird of Paradise plants on my lanai (Marion County, FL) and they are both in large pots. Nobody but me seems to like them at my house and I have been asked if I could trim all the leaves off to let it regrow. They are both huge now and I think that is the problem. Can I cut all the leaves off?ANSWER:
Thank you for submitting your question to Mr. Smarty Plants. Our expertise is in the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. Unfortunately, your question about Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise) falls outside the scope of our expertise since it is a native of South Africa. The link given has information and links about this plant and includes other links to more information. Mr. Smarty Plants also suggests you try contacting your county extension agency or posting your question to one of the many gardening sites that deal with non-native ornamentals.
More Non-Natives Questions
Lists of native plants in Rome, Italy area
November 27, 2005 - Do you know anywhere that I can find a list of native plants in Italy, especially in the Rome area.
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native weeping willow in Inman SC
March 30, 2010 - I planted a weeping willow tree last summer and it thrived wonderfully. This year the buds have came out but it has yet to produce leaves where all the others in this area has. I am wondering maybe if...
view the full question and answer
Request for seeds or cuttings for Malvaceae from French Botanical Garden
September 03, 2011 - hello
We create a botanical garden devoted to the Malvaceae, can you help us by sending us seeds or cuttings?
friendly
the director
jean-marie Jolicard
botanical garden
beaulieu
23170 Lépaud
F...
view the full question and answer
Reference for native critical populations from York, PA
May 25, 2010 - I have recently read a naysayer of native gardening. He states that native garden plants usually do not have the critical population size to be self-perpetuating. He says that one could better help t...
view the full question and answer
Failure to thrive of non-native Confederate Jasmine in Tucson AZ
May 27, 2010 - My Star/Confederate Jasmine, a 30 foot long wall of it, for over 5 years now has one side of it losing leaves. I seem to remember it did this one other summer, but came back in??
What could be the pr...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |