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 - July 31, 2005
From: Dorchester, MA
Region: Northeast
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Smarty Plants on Tamarisk
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
Where can I buy Tamarisk, and will it survive in Massachusetts? I've seen it in Provincetown, on Cape Cod.ANSWER:
None of the species of tamarisk, Tamarix spp., is native to North America. Tamarisk was imported to the US as an ornamental plant, but it has escaped from cultivation and become an environmental disaster in many parts of the country by overwhelming native vegetation and depleting precious groundwater. All species, including Tamarix parviflora which can be found in Connecticut and Massachusetts, are introduced and are listed by several states as an invasive noxious weed. Please read the Special Note from the University of Connecticut Plant Database. Perhaps you should consider a native tree as an alternative. The New England native, Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) has similar physical and cultural characteristics to tamarisk and has the advantages of not being invasive and having wonderfully fragrant foliage. You can find lists of nurseries by state or region in the National Suppliers Directory that specialize in native plants and learn what they might have available.More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Source for Pyrus ioensis var. Texana
July 09, 2015 - Any idea where I can find Pyrus (now Malus) ioensis var. texana for sale around the Austin area?
view the full question and answer
Landscape professional to maintain native plants
December 20, 2014 - Had native plants & buffalo grass professionaly planted earlier this year. Have had trouble finding maintenance services for our yard. Any suggestions on how to find a knowledgeable crew?
Thanks...
view the full question and answer
Native Azaleas for Southeast USA
April 03, 2012 - Where can I purchase wild azaleas?
view the full question and answer
Source for native Orobanche plant seeds for research
January 20, 2005 - I'm looking for native Orobanche plant seeds for a research project, but have had no luck so far. We've been able to locate lots of sources for the noxious weed Orobanche (from Europe), but none for...
view the full question and answer
Where to purchase a non-native gardenia
August 02, 2008 - Where can I buy a gardenia plant in south austin?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |