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
Elimination of nutgrass
May 06, 2008 - Nutgrass has taken over my vegetable and perennial garden to the point that I can not see my plants or granite sand paths. The two major areas are about 600 square feet in total. What can I do to co...
view the full question and answer
Help with control of small, invasive groundcover
April 16, 2012 - I have a very invasive ground cover creeping into my yard. I've tried to identify it and it's similar to creeping charlie or garlic mustard. Leaves are triangular with jagged edges, small purple f...
view the full question and answer
Are These Plants Natives for Flower Mound, Texas?
September 24, 2010 - We are having our flower beds reworked and these are the plants that the company is recommending to plant. I would like to know if these plants are native to our area:pink muhly grass, lythrum, lorope...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native, invasive Japanese Privet from Peoria AZ
July 31, 2013 - I have Japanese Privit bushes. one out of 6 has started to grow very small leaves and does not look healthy. Moon Valley told me shortage of zinc, but that has not helped in 3 months.
What can I ...
view the full question and answer
Information about person who handles invasive species at the Wildflower Center
October 01, 2015 - Would you please provide me a name, phone, and email address, of the person in your office who handles invasive species?
Thanks,
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |