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
Friday - September 14, 2012
From: Townsville, Australia
Region: Other
Topic: Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Gaura dying from Townsville, Australia
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
My passionate pink Gaura appears to be dying. It had a beautiful blooming period & now is going backwards. What is happening? I have pruned it, but don't know how to save it.ANSWER:
We couldn't even figure out where you were writing from until we noticed the ".au"; that is, Australia, in your e-mail address. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants in Austin, Texas is dedicated to the growth, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they grow naturally.
According to this article 'Passionate Pink' Gaura is a cultivar of Gaura lindheimeri (Lindheimer's beeblossom), which is native to Louisiana and Texas, as well as south into Mexico. We are sorry we know so little about Australia's climate and soils, but we have trouble enough keeping up with North America. Perhaps the article we linked you to above will have the information you need. You can also follow the link to our Gaura lindheimeri (Lindheimer's beeblossom) webpage to compare the plant's growing conditions with those in your garden.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Looking for a supplier of Commelina erecta.
May 29, 2009 - I'm looking for a nursery that sells Commelina erecta?
view the full question and answer
Propagation of Cahaba lily from Columbia TN
September 03, 2011 - My cahaba lilies have so many seed pods. I would like to use the seeds properly to grow more lilies. Can anyone tell me the best way to go about it? Thank you
view the full question and answer
What habitat would my Antennaria solitaria like in Red Bank, TN?
October 26, 2010 - I want to know what habitat my mystery plant will like- sun, shade, dry or moist. I think it is an Antennaria solitaria or Little Pussytoes. I got it at a native plant sale here in Chattanooga. It has...
view the full question and answer
Cutting Garden Plants for TN
July 16, 2014 - I would like to know what would be in a year round cutting garden in Nashville, TN for a novel I am writing.
view the full question and answer
Companion plant for columbine in Summer
February 01, 2009 - Please suggest a companion plant for Texas columbine that will hide them when they are ragged in summer but won't interfere with their seeding out to make new plants.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |