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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer

Not Yet Rated

Friday - July 10, 2009

From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Shrubs
Title: Trimming dead blooms from turkscap in San Antonio
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Great answer to the Turk's Plant question. But, I can't seem to find an answer to mine. I've had Turk's plants for years and cut them back as you suggest, but have always been confused about what to do with the dead blooms. Pinch them back? Let them be? Thanks.

ANSWER:

We're not sure which previous answer on Malvaviscus arboreus (wax mallow) you are referring to, but we're glad you liked it. Our experience with Turk's Cap is that you almost can't trim it back enough. We would recommend nipping off dead blooms down to the first set of leaves. If it's going to bloom again, it will be from that cut, putting out new branches.