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
Thursday - July 28, 2011
From: Westlock, AB
Region: Canada
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Survival of non-native rosemary on sea breeze from Alberta Canada
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I read that Rosemary, in some locations, can live on nothing other than the humidity carried by the sea breeze. Is this true?ANSWER:
Since Alberta has no seacoast, it's likely this is just a matter of curiosity. However, Rosemarinus officinalis, rosemary, is a Mediterranean herb which has been spread to many parts of the world. It is not native to North America, and therefore not in our Native Plant Database. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which those plants grow natively. From About.com this article You Can Grow Rosemary includes the information that the Latin name means "dew of the sea," which is no doubt where the belief you asked about originated.
More Non-Natives Questions
Getting Rid of Firecracker Flower
July 16, 2015 - We live in the Tampa area of Florida. We planted Russelia equisetiformis under some palm trees 10 years ago. It has grown deep among the palm tree roots. We want to kill the Russelia without harming ...
view the full question and answer
Care of non-native house plant, Pachira aquatica
October 14, 2007 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have just bought a miniature money tree. I would like to plant it on a metal like decorative pot. What advice would you give me how to prevent the plant from getting any metal re...
view the full question and answer
How to eradicate non-native invasive Houttuynia cordata from Muskogee OK
March 20, 2011 - I have planted a very invasive plant called houttuynia and cannot get rid of it! It is very stinky and the stems break off easily at the roots. I cannot dig it up anymore - it is all over in my flow...
view the full question and answer
Seed Habiturf on top of existing St. Augustine from Austin
January 26, 2012 - We don't want to rip up an existing St. Augustine lawn (potential HOA problems), but we'd like to go native grasses (like Habiturf?). Is there anything we can just seed on top of our present lawn a...
view the full question and answer
What variations of non-native Lavender will grow in Montgomery County TX
June 18, 2011 - I live in East Montgomery County, Texas. What varieties of Lavender grow best in my area? I had some success with Providence variety and Spanish variety. I would like to grow more varieties if possi...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |