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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - February 08, 2011
From: Austin , TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Seasonal Tasks, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Cutting back perennials from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
When is it time to cut back native plants; salvia;copper canyon daisy; verbena, etc?ANSWER:
Most Texas perennial flowering plants need some cutting back when they have dropped their leaves. Many can actually be cut to the ground, as they are going to come back from the roots, but we like to leave a few 6-inch stalks standing up so we know that's a plant we planted, and not a weed that needs to be yanked. Always clean up around your plants, taking away dropped leaves and stems, to help prevent mildew, disease and insect damage.
More Seasonal Tasks Questions
Cutting back plants after frost from Seguin TX
February 13, 2014 - When is best time to cut back native plants after frost kill?
Thanks
view the full question and answer
Spring care for Garrya ovata from Pflugerville, TX
February 24, 2014 - Hello again, Mr. S-P,
I planted a Mexican silktassel in April 2012 (purchased at the WFC). It has done well, but the leaves are bronzed and splotchy from this winter's freezes. All the stems are...
view the full question and answer
Bluebonnets in memorial garden in cemetery
April 11, 2008 - When is the peak time to scatter bluebonnet seeds? I have a loved one that recently died, and she requested that her body be cremated. She would like her ashes to be mixed with bluebonnet seeds and ...
view the full question and answer
Late emergence of passiflora incarnata hybrid in Austin
April 11, 2010 - Two years ago I planted in my clay soil garden a variation on native passiflora incarnata; the passiflora Elizabeth (a cross between passiflora incarnata and passiflora phoenicia)because I hoped it pr...
view the full question and answer
Yucca elata flowering in Tauranga, NZ.
August 20, 2009 - I have two huuuuuuge Yucca elatas in my garden. One of them flowered spectacularly last year - a 15ft stalk that grew so quickly you could hear it, and then burst into a cloud of waxy cream flowers. M...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |