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
Saturday - June 02, 2012
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Shrubs
Title: Problems with non-native Eugenia in Scottsdale AZ
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have 5 eugenia topiaries in my courtyard in pots..I notice as the days here in Phoenix get hotter and dry (as usual) they are starting to look bad, even though they are under a shelter out of the direct sun..shall I bring them inside until it cools off in October? This is inconvenient as they will take a lot of space, but I really love them, and they were expensive to buy..thanksANSWER:
Eugenia myrtifolia is native to Australia and therefore out of Mr. Smarty Plants' jurisdiction. We recommend only plants native not only to North America but to the areas where they grow natively. We will look through Internet information to see if we can find out what growing conditions the plant needs. It could be soils, rainfall, amount of sunlight, excess heat, etc, so about all we can do is try to find resources for you to think about.
PlantCare.com Fruiting Myrtle (Eugenia) - Under "environment" this article says suitable only for a greenhouse.
Dave's Garden - lists only California and Florida as places where it grows
Denver Plants - under "temps" calls for normal indoor temps
Monrovia says it is often used as a hedge and can tolerate USDA Hardiness zones of 9 to 11. Maricopa County appears to be in USDA Hardiness Zones of 10a to 10b.
So, as you can see, we don't have a clue, because all these different websites say different things. Have you asked the supplier from which you bought it if they know anything about how or where it should be grown? Pictures
More Non-Natives Questions
Dying foliage on non-native Otto Luyken Laurel from Georgetown KY
April 09, 2014 - I have 5 luken laurel scrubs planted around foundation. They have done very well until this last winter..the foilage is now brown and crispy. Will they come back? Do I need to prune back the damage...
view the full question and answer
Care of non-native house plant
October 20, 2007 - I have bought a 7 foot bird of paradise indoor plant, and have a decorative pot to place it into. The plant will remain in its plastic pot, will have a liner inside decorative pot, and decorative moss...
view the full question and answer
Non-native Royal Empress tree with only green leaves from Chambersburg PA
July 12, 2013 - I have 3 Royal Empress trees in my yard that are between 2-4 yrs old and have never been any color other then big Green leaves. Do you know when they will turn Purple?
view the full question and answer
Non-native invasive Chocolate Mimosa in Gulfport MS
May 18, 2011 - Another Mimosa Question: I have a newly planted chocolate mimosa; it has a single, 7 ft spindly trunk with approximately a 3 ft canopy. I'm afraid that its girth will not withstand much in terms of...
view the full question and answer
Identification of native blackhaw or non-native ligustrum in Austin
January 16, 2005 - I have a native tree in my yard, ca.15-20 feet tall, that has glossy, rounded dark leaves and small clusters of dark purplish berries. (It also has very weak limbs - perhaps grows too fast for its ow...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |