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 - April 15, 2010
From: Round Rock , TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Edible Plants
Title: What blueberry cultivar is best for Austin, TX.
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
How do I know what blueberry bush to purchase for the best tasting variety that will grow in the Austin, TX area?ANSWER:
Most of the commercially produced blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) known ot American consumers are grown on plants native to the eastern 1/3 of the US. Parts of the Rocky Mountain states, the Pacific Northwest and most of Canada are also known for their own beloved indigenous species of blueberries and the closely-related huckleberries.
No blueberrry species are native to nor suitable for Austin. Unfortunately, the soil and climate in Austin, Texas is not conducive to growing blueberries. One characteristic that every species of North American Vacciniums has in common, whether it's blueberries, huckleberries, cranberries, lingonberries or bilberries is its requirement for acid soil. The soil in Austin, being very, very alkaline is nearly impossible for blueberries. It is possible to amend the soil to make it more acid, but keeping the soil from reverting to its natural, basic state requires ongoing effort that you will probably find to be too much trouble.
More Edible Plants Questions
Edible fruits and plants in Pennsylvania
May 15, 2008 - Can you give me a list of edible berries and plants that someone might find if they were hiking through the forest of Pennsylvania?
view the full question and answer
Edible/medicinal plants in Suffolk County, NY
August 19, 2010 - Which types of edible/medicinal plants are available in Suffolk County (Long Island NY)? Is there a place I can find a list with information about what they look like, where they can be found and what...
view the full question and answer
Toxicity of barren strawberries
April 30, 2012 - Are barren strawberries toxic? .
view the full question and answer
Edible Plants for North Georgia
January 10, 2010 - We are planning a forest food garden in the hollers of the N GA Mountains.
Which edible fruit, nut, berry, herb and creepers would be best for this reddish, clay-like soil? The food garden is in...
view the full question and answer
Edibility of fruit of Passiflora incarnata
July 19, 2007 - We have Passion flower vines growing, blooming and producing fruit all over our property and the land nearby. They are growing wild. We are near Greensboro, Georgia which is barely in the Northeast pa...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |