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
Sunday - June 20, 2010
From: Katy, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives
Title: Eliminating gift plant from flowerbed
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
A neighbor gave me cuttings of a lush green plant with a blue flower with a yellow center that is only open in morning. It has become very invasive. I cut it back and dug at least 6-12" deep to get the roots but each day numerous little green sprouts are in my flowerbed. How can I get rid of tiny sprouts without killing my petunias and moss rose?ANSWER:
Our focus and expertise here at the Wildflower Center are with plants native to North America. Your description of the plant and the fact that it was a cutting from your neighbor would lead us to suspect that it isn't a plant native to North America. However, we can give you a little advice about getting rid of it no matter what its nativity. The approach that is the least likely to affect your other plants is to remove the roots of the troublesome plant. If you don't dig down and remove all the roots, it is going to keep coming up again and again. It may be a tough job, but that's what it is going to take. You could also consider careful application of an herbicide. You can try cutting the tips of the sprouts as they emerge and very carefully painting the cut ends with a small brush dipped in herbicide. You will need to be very careful not to get any of the herbicide on your other plants. It is likely to take several applications to finally kill the roots. Please be sure to read and observe all precautions on the herbicide label as well.
More Invasive Plants Questions
Control methods for Cenchrus spinifex, Coastal sandbur
September 22, 2006 - I have some of the nicest, thickest, greenest grassburs in the county of Erath. What is the best and quickest way to get rid of them? I have heard of a product called cornmeal gluten. Any info appreci...
view the full question and answer
Seeds of Meremia dissecta from Austin
September 30, 2012 - I have a large quantity of seeds of Merremia dissecta that I acquired from plants growing in the parking lot of the San Antonio Museum of Art. (Hmmm… I wonder if it's called alamo vine because of som...
view the full question and answer
Non-flowering mimosas in Texas
July 08, 2008 - I have two mimosa trees, about 3 years old. Both were grown from volunteer seedlings. Neither have flowers nor have they produced seed pods. Are they too young or do they need a source of pollenation...
view the full question and answer
Toxicity and invasiveness of Scarlet Wisteria
May 04, 2007 - I recently purchased seeds for Scarlet Wisteria (Chinese rattlebox tree). I spoke to a neighbor about this and she warned me not to plant them as they were poisonous to hummingbirds. Can you clarify...
view the full question and answer
Nativity of Lantana camara and Strelitzia reginae
November 08, 2011 - I was wondering why Lantana Camara is not in the Wildflower's database. Multiple sources say it is native to the U.S. and North America.
I was also wondering if Strelitzia reginae (Bird-of-Paradise...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |