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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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Sunday - April 18, 2010

From: Topeka, KS
Region: Midwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Pruning of non-native Mimosa in Topeka KS
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Read the Mimosa answer with much interest - other websites are love and hate this tree - we love ours - had one before that was multiple trunk and bought one from local nursery that seems to be single trunk as you describe - query - how much can we cut it back - we would like to control its height by cutting it to "Nubbins" our word in late fall so it does not obscure view from deck - too much pruning hurt it?

ANSWER:

As you probably know from reading the previous website, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to the care, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plant is being grown. Because of large number of questions we are asked, usually answered by a small band of volunteers, we must confine ourself to answers on native plants only.