Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - October 07, 2013

From: Cedar Park, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Diseases and Disorders, Shrubs
Title: Problems with non-native photinia in Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Hi, I live in Cedar Park, TX (Austin Suburb)and have planted a number of Photinia shrubs in various areas of my property. All about 10 months old. The leaves are curling along their length on many of them in two area. They are curling up into semi tube shapes that resemble a closed Venus Fly Trap plant in shape. The plants appear to be otherwise healthy, with lots of new red growth appearing after the heavy 2" rainfall of about 10 days ago. I have sprayed them twice with Neem Oil mixed at the higher concentration that works for either Fungus or insects, and have seen no change. The curled leaves do not have any evidence of catepillar pupae or webs as might be the case with a leaf roller infestation, however, I DID notice when I last sprayed them with the Neem oil, that I did have some tiny moth like insects flying off as I sprayed them. Any suggestions or ideas? These are still under warranty, for a few more weeks, and I have talked to Home Depot where I bought them, and they have told me I can return them with no questions asked.

ANSWER:

It would be nice if you could return the photinias; read this previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer to see why,

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Edibility of non-native garlic sprouts from Brancburg, NJ
March 12, 2013 - I have regular garlic in my refrigerator. It had sprouts growing out of it so I put it in a cup of water. Now that the stems are large enough to put in food, my question is.. Is that part of the garl...
view the full question and answer

Disease in non-native globe willow from Morgan UT
June 11, 2011 - I have a globe willow tree that is a few years old but still a relatively young tree. It appears to have slime flux disease. It has 3 or 4 spots on the trunk where the foam exits and runs down the tru...
view the full question and answer

Mercer Society of Harris County Plant Sale from The Woodlands, TX
March 15, 2011 - Love the Name! Anyway, the Mercer Society of Harris County will be having its annual plant sale late this month and as usual I will be attending. I'm trying to find some tropicals and sub-tropicals...
view the full question and answer

Non-native vines poisonous to animals from Park Ridge IL
June 18, 2012 - I have a Star Jasmine and sambac Philipine Jasmine Plant . Are they poisonous to cats or dogs. I have them in the house.
view the full question and answer

Control of non-native invasive Japanese Barberry from Enfield NH
April 22, 2014 - I recently bought a home that is bordered by woods and a sizable area of invasive Japanese Barberry growing on a steep hill in and around a stone wall making it that much harder to dig up. I've alway...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.