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
Thursday - July 30, 2009
From: Tuckerton, NJ
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Pests, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Worms on blackeyed susans and daisies in Tuckerton NJ
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have black eyed susans and white daisies planted together. Not sure if this makes a difference. Today I noticed that there are tiny worms on both the plants they are almost the size of silk worms. What can I spray on the plants to remove any bugs that won't damage the plants?ANSWER:
If you feel they are just "worm worms," not a caterpillar larvae of some beautiful butterfly you have been trying to attract, spraying or drenching the plants with a mild solution of soapy water should send the worms on their way, and certainly will not hurt the plants.
If, on the other hand, they are caterpillars, and you don't care if the DO grow up to be butterflies, here is an article from the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times, The Best Caterpillar Control, by John Starnes.
If you still don't feel your problem is solved, contact the Rutgers University Cooperative Extension office for Ocean County. If you are having problems, others probably are, too, and the University Extension people should be able to give you closer-to-home advice.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Cutting back achillea in New York
March 18, 2009 - Last summer I planted three gorgeous hearty achillea with flat, yellow tops, about 3 feet high or more each, in my sunny garden. But after they were done flowering, I left those very pretty brown stem...
view the full question and answer
Visual differences among members of the Apiaceae
July 21, 2012 - What is the visual difference between queen anne's lace and hemlock and cowslip parsley?
I live in Marin county, California and have often been confused as to which is what?
Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Problems with Gregg's mistflower from Fredericksburg, TX
May 19, 2013 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: Something is wilting the tops of my Gregg's mistflower, Conoclinium greggii. I cannot see bugs on the plant, so I am wondering if it's a disease. The problem is widespread to...
view the full question and answer
Identification of pale blue flower near Big Bend, TX
March 14, 2013 - I have looked almost everywhere in order to ID this bloom with no luck. Some blooms do arrive close but not quite. I live just outside of Big Bend National Park in Terlingua, TX. On a hike into Dog Ca...
view the full question and answer
New Jersey Native Plants for a Raised Bed
April 15, 2015 - I want to plant some native plants in a raised bed in New Jersey along side a stucco wall that gets direct sun and is very dry due to an overhang. Any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |