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.
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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.

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Saturday - August 15, 2009
From: Fullerton, CA
Region: California
Topic: Trees
Title: Trees for townhome backyard in Fullerton, CA
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, I live in a townhome with a big backyard here in Orange County. Last year, I got rid of my ficus trees that had grown too tall and big for a townhome backyard. Now, I would like to plant two trees on both side of my yard. Could you please let me know where I could find a nursery where I could find non-invasive trees that would grow higher than 6 feet.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants is wondering whether you want trees that would grow higher than 6 feet or trees that would NOT grow higher than 6 feet since your ficus trees had grown too tall for your backyard. Whichever it is, here are a few trees of various heights that are native to your area.Chilopsis linearis (desert willow) grows 15 to 30 feet
Malosma laurina (laurel sumac) grows up to 15 feet and here are photos and more information
Quercus agrifolia (California live oak) grows 20 to 50 feet
Umbellularia californica (California laurel) is a slower grower to 40 feet
Acer negundo (boxelder) grows 35-50 feet
Juglans californica (Southern California walnut) grows 20 to 30 feet and here are photos and more information
Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius (Catalina ironwood) grows 30 to 50 feet and here are photos
Prunus ilicifolia (hollyleaf cherry) grows to 10 feet and photos
If you visit our National Suppliers Directory and type in your city and state, you will get a list of nurseries and seed companies that specialize in native plants in your area. On this list Las Pilitas Nursery, with stores in Escondido and Santa Margarita, has an extensive inventory of native California plants.
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April 21, 2009 - Will cherry trees grow well in the North Texas area?
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April 19, 2008 - My mountain laurel is looking bad. It has lost of its leaves, especially on the lower part of the tree (it's about 7 feet tall) and many of the remaining ones don't look good - they are curled up an...
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October 05, 2013 - The leaves on my mature water oak trees have been falling since the leaves matured. My area has had an abundance of rain this year, 11 inches above normal. All the trees in my area are doing the same....
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August 09, 2010 - I've read your answer to live oak root shoots. You said to get rid of them by going 2 to 4 inches below the surface and cutting them. What tool is best for this shoot removal? I'm getting very tir...
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Long term effects of pesticide from Lubbock TX
March 20, 2013 - I have 9 western pecan trees about 20 years old. Trunk sizes is from 18" to 39". I used a product Bayer Tree and Shrub, applied to the trees. I wonder what it will do to the trees. I talkd to Bayer ...
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