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.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Thursday - November 17, 2011

From: Roanoke, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Planting
Title: When to plant non-native red-tip photinia
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

When do you plant the Red-Tip Photinia Flowering Shrubs in Roanoke VA?

ANSWER:

Photinia x fraseri (Red-tip photinia) is a hybrid cross of two non-native Asian species—Photinia serratifolia from China and Photinia glabra from Japan. It is considered invasive in Texas, but not in Virginia. Since our expertise and focus here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are with plants native to North America, we aren't really the source you should be asking about planting red-tip photinia. The Roanoke Virginia Cooperative Extension office should be able to tell you; in fact, you can ask your question on their Ask an Expert – Master Gardeners feature.