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
Friday - July 23, 2010
From: Las Vegas, NV
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Proper deadheading of non-natives Arabian Jasmine and Crape myrtle from Las Vegas
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Advise please on proper deadheading of Arabian Jasmine, and of Crape Myrtle. They are both blooming great but I want to know once the petals fall should I deadhead and will it help them to bloom again, perhaps in the same season?ANSWER:
Jasminum sambac, Arabian Jasmine, is native to southwestern and southern Asia, and is hardy from USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. This Floridata website has some information on it, as well as a warning about invasiveness:
"The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council lists this species as a Category II exotic invasive. This indicates that it has increased in abundance or frequency but has not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become ranked Category I, if ecological damage is demonstrated. Arabian jasmine cannot be recommended for landscape use in Florida and caution should be exercised when considering this plant for use in similar frostfree climates."
The Arabian Jasmine is hardy in Zones 9 to 11, and the Floridata website above has information on pruning and culture.
While there is Malpighia glabra (wild crapemyrtle) which is native to South Texas, you very likely have Lagerstroemia indica, crape myrtle, native to temperate and tropical Asia. Because the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plant is being grown, we are not going to be able to help you very much.
We established that Las Vegas is in an area where the USDA Hardiness Zone can vary from Zones 8a to 9b. This article from Floridata will give you pruning, deadheading and culture information on Lagerstroemia indica, and we learned that it is hardy from Zones 7a to 9b, so it should be all right.
More Non-Natives Questions
Problems with non-native citrus trees from Mesa AZ
January 13, 2014 - We have one valencia orange tree and one naval orange tree in our Mesa, AZ yard. Just noticed some oranges on both trees have a 1/4 inch diameter hole through the skin and the orange fruit and skin a...
view the full question and answer
Oak trees shedding leaves in Denton TX
May 27, 2012 - In Denton, TX we have two mature Quercus buckleyi. It is May 11th 2012 and one of these trees has been shedding green leaves for the last week. The only changes we have made are: planted English ivy...
view the full question and answer
Comparison of native and non-native bulbs from Fayetteville NC
November 28, 2010 - I am just a gardener seeking natives. As I could not find Crinum americanum bulbs/plants specifically, I checked further online. Here's an excerpt of what I found from the Louisiana Native Plant Soci...
view the full question and answer
Non-native, invasive creeping fig in Webster TX
May 26, 2013 - We've recently moved into a new home in the southeast Houston area. The back of our property has a long concrete wall (gets quite a bit of sun), which we thought we could cover with a spreading vine....
view the full question and answer
Type of clumping bamboo for outdoor planters from Plano TX
March 25, 2014 - What type of clumping bamboo can be grown outdoors in planters in Dallas,TX?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |