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 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 Non-Natives Questions
Non-native Japanese maple
September 28, 2008 - I have a small Japanese Maple that I planted last fall. I planted it under a huge pecan tree where it gets dappled shade. It has grown very little this spring and summer and the leaves are gray and ...
view the full question and answer
Removing invasive Dichelostemma firecracker plant from Austin
April 12, 2012 - We have dichelostemma firecracker plant & cannot kill it. We need help in getting rid of this plant. Spent another 3 hours digging up corms this afternoon. It is invading our backyard & want it kil...
view the full question and answer
Survival of non-native Cape Plumbago in Delaware
October 18, 2008 - I have a cape plumbago shrub growing in a large pot outdoors - but we are in Delaware - where it won't apparently survive the winter. How can I keep my plumbago safe over the winter?
view the full question and answer
Locating toxic, non-native, invasive Castor Bean seeds
March 04, 2006 - Where do I find castor bean seeds? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Transplant shock
July 27, 2006 - Today I dug up a new natchez variety crape myrtle that had only been planted about 3 months ago. It is fairly young. It was very difficult to dig up as it's root were pretty settled in the spot it ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |