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 09, 2012
From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Blue mistflowers not blooming in Houston
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
My blue mist flower plants are not blooming, but they did last summer. I have tried spreading manure, but it hasn't worked. What should I use to stimulate blooms. Thanks.ANSWER:
Well, the first thing you should do is wait until their bloom time, which, according to our webpage on Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower), is July to November. Perhaps you bought some already-blooming plants last year that were a little confused by being raised in greenhouses or force-bloomed.
Another thing is cut out the manure. That is a very strong fertilizer, and if it had not been seasoned enough before you spread it, could be burning the plant roots. Blue Mistflower is native to the Harris County area, and native plants seldom need fertilizers, because they are already accustomed by centuries of experience with the soils, climate and rainfall.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Hillside Groundcovers for Pollinating Insects in Wisconsin
November 28, 2015 - I am looking for native plants for a project around Hudson, Wisconsin. We are to choose native plants to be seeded next spring 2016. They are to be planted on a hillside under and around solar panels ...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for shade from Atlanta GA
May 28, 2012 - I am looking for recommendations for a ground cover. I live in the Atlanta, Georgia area and have a large shady slope on which I would like to use low maintenance/water native ground cover. What wou...
view the full question and answer
Asclepias with whitish discoloration
May 26, 2008 - I have red/scarlett milkweed planted in my yard. The leaves have a whitish discoloration on the top of some of the leaves and it is spreading. What is it? What do I do about it?
view the full question and answer
Patience pays off with chile pequin in Austin
September 24, 2011 - Hello. Re my June 08, 2011 message -- Guess what! The chile pequin is finally flowering and setting fruit in its container on my apartment patio. You said patience, you were right, and hooray once aga...
view the full question and answer
Source for two violas for Houston
July 10, 2013 - I live in Houston, TX. Can you tell me where I can buy viola rotundifolia and viola cucullata? I understand these are round-leaved yellow violet and marsh blue violet respectively. I stumbled on these...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |