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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.

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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.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Friday - September 14, 2012

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Shrubs
Title: Non-native photinias dying from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I have some red tip potinias that are dying. The ends of the branches are dying and the leaves are turning brown, I don't think this is the fungus that affects most red tips, any clues?

ANSWER:

We have about 40 previous answers to questions on Photinia x fraseri (red-tip Photinia).

This one from San Antonio pretty much tells all we know about the plant.

 

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