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
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Tuesday - August 30, 2005
From: Louisville, KY
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Care for non-native Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am moving into a new home and have been told that the two plants in my front yard are called Hearts of Sharon. I need to know how to care for them and when and how to prune them so that they dont grow so tall. Thank you.ANSWER:
I think, perhaps, what you have is Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) which is a non-native plant introduced from China and India. It is a hearty, cold- and heat-tolerant plant widely used throughout the United States as an ornamental. You can find care advice by doing an online search on "Hibsicus care". For example, you can read "Hibiscus Care Tips & Growing Instructions" from Strictly Hibiscus.com. You can also visit the American Hibiscus Society web page.More Non-Natives Questions
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Transplanting non-native yellow lantana in Emerald Isle, NC
August 22, 2010 - We live in Emerald Isle, NC. Can we transplant yellow lantana? It is not really a perennial but appears to be one at the coast. If so, when do you transplant?
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Failure to thrive of non-native Japanese maple
May 03, 2010 - My 10 year old Japanese red maple leaves suddenly started to curl up and die at the end of summer last year. Only about a quarter of the tree leaved out this spring, branches are dead. Can I plant ano...
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Care for non-native bougainvillea in Blackfoot, ID
June 29, 2009 - Can I plant Bougainvillea in Blackfoot, ID? I would like to plant it but am concerned about the harsh winter killing it off.
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Care for some non-native salvias from Austin
November 12, 2012 - Mexican bush sage and Salvia "indigo spires" are both blooming in my Austin beds right now. Once they stop blooming and/or frost gets them, could you tell me by how much they should be cut back? R...
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