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 15, 2011
From: Dallas, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Is Hibiscus coccineus still considered native in Dallas, TX?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills & Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
Is Hibiscus coccineus still considered native?. I recently was told by someone with the Native Texas Plant Society that it was no longer thought to have crossed the Sabine naturally. Thoughts?Thank you,ANSWER:
Hibiscus coccineus (Scarlet rose-mallow), even though one of its common names is Texas Star Hibiscus, is not considered a Texas native. It is sometimes commonly called swamp hibiscus because it is native to marshes and swamps in Alabama, Georgia and Florida (Missouri Botanical Garden). It’s USDA Plants Profile shows it to be distributed in the Southeastern US only as far west as Louisiana.
From the Image Gallery
More Non-Natives Questions
Non-native Boulevard Cypress Pom Pom trees in Princeton NJ
October 29, 2011 - I just had some landscaping done near my front door and front yard. I have two Boulevard Cypress B&B (4-5') Pom Pom. The pom poms are turning brown. What should I have been doing? I am watering them ...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native gardenias in San Ramon, CA
July 11, 2009 - I have a Gardenia tree planted in my front yard that gets shade and sun. It is dropping leaves and the leaves that are left are yellow. I had been watering it every day, but decreased that to every ot...
view the full question and answer
Non-native begonias not blooming in Round Rock, TX
October 13, 2010 - My angel wing begonias won't bloom. I feed them with fish emulsion. What is the problem?
view the full question and answer
Invasive, non-native Siberian peashrub for waller TX
February 02, 2012 - Good Morning Mr. Smarty Plants! I am trying to find out if the Siberian Pea Shrub is a good plant for Southeast Texas or if it is considered an invasive no no. It seems to have many qualities for wild...
view the full question and answer
Scale on non-native Loropetalum in Lincoln, NE
February 26, 2010 - Hi,I have found lots of scale insects on my Loropetalum (esp the young leaves) and ended up spraying some white oil to get rid of them. Unfortunately, I might have overdone it and the young shoots are...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |