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
Sunday - June 17, 2012
From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Shrubs
Title: Non-native Genista racemosa from Houston
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Read your info on Genista Racemosa. Doesn't address my problem of it not blooming this year. It's in full sun and growing well, about 30" tall & round. Bloomed last year. We're feeding with balanced fertilizer. Any ideas?ANSWER:
Here is the likely previous Mr. Smarty Plants question to which you refer. The facts in that still apply, even though you are in a different part of Texas. We have no additional information on that plant, because it is non-native and outside of our expertise. Ordinarily, if a plant is native to the area where it is being grown, we advise against the use of fertilizer, because a native plant is already accustomed by centuries of experience to the soil, climate and rainfall of the area. Over-fertilization is often to blame for the failure to bloom, but since we don't know what the conditions of the Canary Islands (to which this plant is native) are, we can't know if the overuse of fertilizer is to blame for the absence of blooms.
More Shrubs Questions
Plant to stabilize river bank in Wisconsin
July 10, 2011 - We live along the Chippewa River in Pepin County WI and are looking for a blooming plant to help "hold" our river bank and also look attractive..it must be strong enough to take the spring flood.
view the full question and answer
Shrubs for New Hampshire
June 25, 2009 - Will be landscaping next Spring: Do you think using 'Ilex Crenata'-Japanese Holly together with variegated Euonymus (species: fortunei) as shrub hedges in front of our house is a good combo? Do they...
view the full question and answer
Noise reduction hedge from Austin
April 17, 2013 - Noise reduction hedge row in Austin. We back up to a very busy street and need a fast growing noise barrier. In a similar post for the Houston area, you recommended Gordonia lasianthus -loblolly bay. ...
view the full question and answer
Is non-native cotoneaster poisonous to goats from Eureka CA
August 19, 2011 - I have heard that cotoneaster is poisonous to goats and other animals. We are trying to get rid of it in our yard, but I was hoping we could use goats to eat it back. What are our options in removin...
view the full question and answer
Tree or shrub with non-invasive roots from San Jose CA
June 16, 2013 - I am looking for a small tree/ large shrub (non higher than a one story roof) with non-invasive roots to replace a 25 foot cedar. It is in a small area
(5x 7) bordered to the side by a driveway...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |