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
Thursday - June 25, 2009
From: Rindge, NH
Region: Northeast
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Shrubs for New Hampshire
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Will be landscaping next Spring: Do you think using 'Ilex Crenata'-Japanese Holly together with variegated Euonymus (species: fortunei) as shrub hedges in front of our house is a good combo? Do they grow fast? How high and wide? Do they keep their foliage ALL year round? I don't want shrubs that are bare at anytime during the year? Are they easily maintained? Any other possible shrubs you might suggest?ANSWER:
Since the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's mission is "to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes," Mr. Smarty Plants would not recommend planting either Ilex crenata (Japanese holly) or Euonymus fortunei (wintercreeper) because they are both non-native plants whose origins are in Asia. Additionally E. fortunei is listed on Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council's Invasive Exotic Pest Plants in Tennessee-2004 and Weeds of Wisconsin. Ilex crenata also appears on WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States and the Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council list.Here are some New Hampshire evergreen native alternatives for these two species:
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)
Vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingonberry)
Juniperus communis var. depressa (common juniper) and here are photos and information.
Kalmia angustifolia (sheep laurel)
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel)
Ledum groenlandicum (bog Labrador tea)
Rhododendron maximum (great laurel)
More Shrubs Questions
Why is cedar pollen so heavy this year?
January 08, 2011 - Dear Mr Smarty,
Is this year a heavier than normal year for cedar pollen?? If so why?
view the full question and answer
Older leaves yellowing on Savannah holly in Dallas
May 01, 2009 - I planted a Savannah Holly in Dallas, TX in the Fall of 2008. It has new growth and some white buds all over it, but some of the older leaves are turning yellow and dropping off. Is this normal?
view the full question and answer
Pruning of tree poppy from Livermore CA
May 29, 2013 - We have a Dendromecon rigida which has been in place for about 10 years and is doing fine. But the older growth gets dry, brown and crinkly, while the newer growth is bright and lush. I would like t...
view the full question and answer
Dead woody plants in wildlife garden in Austin
March 02, 2011 - I am an enthusiastic and pretty successful wildlife gardener, have studied my Wasowski "Bible", but I can't get any evergreens established in my yard! We live on blackland clay, which I amend with ...
view the full question and answer
Small Shrub for a Foundation Planting in Michigan
May 15, 2014 - I need a small, native, perennial shrub for a foundation planting in Michigan.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |