Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - October 27, 2010

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Transplants
Title: Transplanting False Gaura in Austin
Answered by: Mike Tomme

QUESTION:

I am transplanting my false gaura. Do they transplant well, and should I cut them back?

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty plants visited with plant care experts at the Wildflower Center. They have transplanted Stenosiphon linifolius (False gaura) successfully so it can be done. They caution that Stenosiphon linofolius has a taproot and if you cut off too much of that the plant will, at the very least, suffer severe shock from the transplant.

Their tips for success: select smaller plants as these will have smaller root systems, get as much of the roots as you possibly can, plant in full sun. During and after the transplant give it plenty of water, but when it becomes established, it prefers dry soil. As for cutting it back, you probably don't need to, especially if you are using small plants to start with.

Now is a great time to do your transplanting.


Stenosiphon linifolius

 

 

More Transplants Questions

When is best time to transplant Ezperanza shrubs in Buda, TX?
September 02, 2013 - I need to transplant 2 huge Esperanza's...when is the best time to uproot them and not kill them?
view the full question and answer

Transplanting American beautyberry in Cordele GA
May 19, 2014 - Is mid to late May too late in the season to transplant Callicarpa americana, American Beautyberry?
view the full question and answer

Transplanting bluebonnets to garden from Columbus TX
January 30, 2014 - Is it possible to transplant bluebonnets from pasture to garden and if so when is the best time to do this? Thank you
view the full question and answer

Transplanting wild sumac
September 23, 2010 - About a month ago I dug up five sumac from my backyard in Aylmer Quebec. I potted them. They now look dead. I wanted to transplant them at my cottage in Barrie Ontario. Can I still transplant them...
view the full question and answer

Problems with Texas Ash and non-native Bradford Pear in Hutto TX
January 27, 2011 - We have planted two trees in our back yard. The first one(a Bradford Pear) died and the second one (a Texas ash) doesn't look like it's doing very well. Our back yard is mostly black clay about 1 f...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.