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
Thursday - March 14, 2013
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Drought Tolerant, Shrubs
Title: Drought resistance of non-native Abelia from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Are abelias drought resistant? I have a spot that is sunny from early morning till about 2-2:30 in the afternoon. Is this enough sun?ANSWER:
The Abelia is native from Japan west to the Himalayas, which takes it out of the expertise of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants. We will only recommend plants native not only to North America but to the area in which that plant grows natively, in your case, Travis County TX.
We did, however, find this web site from North Carolina State University on Abelia x grandiflora, which says that particular cultivar is drought resistant. That article also addresses the amount of sun that shrub will need.
More Drought Tolerant Questions
Bringing upright a leaning cholla cactus
August 29, 2013 - I have a 3 ft. tall Cylindropuntia bigelovii
that fell over after recent rains. I righted it and supported it with garden stakes for about a month. I was afraid to pull too hard on the low...
view the full question and answer
Plants for a sunny, sandy site in Central Texas
January 22, 2015 - I live between La Grange and Schulenburg, Texas. My soil is sandy. Full sun, no trees. I am a senior citizen with limited funds who is allergic to Rye and Bermuda grass. I tried planting a lawn of...
view the full question and answer
Trees and shrubs for adobe soil in Penngrove CA
June 19, 2010 - Hi,
I'd like to find a list of trees that are native, drought tolerant and suitable to the adobe soil in Penngrove. We will be landscaping a bare .5 acre parcel starting later this fall. Another fea...
view the full question and answer
Ilex vomitoria Sufering from Drought?
January 19, 2012 - My Ilex vomitoria has always thrived. It is about ten years old. This fall, a portion of the leaves on the ends of the branches have turned yellow on the edges with green veining in the center. Othe...
view the full question and answer
Hedge in Desert Full Sun
March 25, 2012 - We want a short hedge, 2-3 ft tall, small leaves that fill in to full looking hedge. It is in Phoenix Arizona area and gets full sun all afternoon
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |