Native Plants
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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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| Problems with non-native zucchini in Muskogee, OK July 23, 2011 In the awful heat of this summer I am still getting zucchini to produce. But, once it grows about 3 inches, it gets yellow on the ends and dies. Am I watering it too much? (I have sprayed for bugs ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for the tallest okra stalk in Waco, TX. July 22, 2011 I am looking for the tallest okra stalk in Waco,Texas. Back in the 1950s, it was in the Waco paper but I can't find it. My Grandfather's name was Robert W. Goss of Waco, and he had his picture take... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Color in non-native portulaca from Beach Haven NJ July 21, 2011 I bought a portulaca in a hanging basket and divided it up and planted it in my garden. It is doing ok..but I have almost entirely orange flowers..maybe two reds. I was hoping for multi-colored..red... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Common name of non-native Senna corymbosa (Argentine senna) July 16, 2011 I just had a plant identified as Senna corymbosa. Can you tell me whether it's a Texas native and what its common name is? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growth of non-native bermudagrass in Snelville GA July 16, 2011 How do you grow Bermuda grass successfully in the state of Georgia? Techniques in fertilization, lawn cutting and general maintenance. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is Hibiscus coccineus still considered native in Dallas, TX? July 15, 2011 Is Hibiscus coccineus still considered native?. I recently was told by someone with the Native Texas Plant Society that it was no longer thought to have crossed the Sabine naturally. Thoughts... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for alternatives for Crape Myrtle in Washington, DC. July 15, 2011 What can you recommend as native alternatives to the shorter (garden-sized) crape myrtle cultivars? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native Tradescantia spathacea in Austin July 10, 2011 Can a moses in the cradle (Tradescantia spathacea) plant be planted in a landscape setting with part sun of up to six hours in this texas heat? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacement for non-native Italian Cypress in Austin July 10, 2011 I would appreciate your assistance with some native plant options to replace Italian Cypress trees in the Arboretum area of Austin, TX. I have 12 of the trees on the north side of the house to obstru... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lavender near Austin TX July 10, 2011 Are there places to view blooming lavender near Austin in July 2011? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Leaves browning on non-native willow from in Cumbla PA July 10, 2011 We recently planted a willow tree. A lot of the leaves turned yellow and some turned brown, but it is also getting some new buds. my question is, should I take the dead leaves off or leave them there... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Moth Mullein as a garden plant from Starksville MS July 09, 2011 I collected seeds from a beautiful Moth Mullein growing in a lot which will soon be bulldozed. Would I regret sowing them in the back of a sunny perennial bed this fall. These are from the white-pin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning a non-native Hinoki cypress from Denver NC July 08, 2011 Hi! Our painters have asked that we trim the Golden Hinoki Cypress back from the house. The tree is about 20' tall, beautiful and healthy. Since it is July and therefore, HOT! I'm wondering how t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need some help with my Mexican Bush Sage in Rockport, TX. July 07, 2011 My Mexican bush sage looks leggy,ratty and sparse. It's planted in full sun and was cut back to the ground in early spring. My soil is sand and I've watered it sparingly as we've had no rain. I'm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native bougainvillea in Beaufort SC July 06, 2011 Bougainvillea-Can I grow these in Beaufort SC? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is India Hawthorne a deer-resistant plant? July 03, 2011 Is India Hawthorne a deer resistant plant in Beaufort County South Carolina? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will non-native St. Augustine crowd out non-native bermudagrass in Plano TX June 28, 2011 I have Bermuda sod via builder, looked great for 3+ years. then had crack house neighbors max weeds for 2+ years. Killing them (the weeds) had a toll on the grass. Now a fifth of the LOSER neighbor... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native textile bamboo for Austin? June 24, 2011 I was looking for a non-invasive bamboo to plant as a privacy screen in central Austin. Would bambusa textilis (weavers bamboo) be an ok solution since it is a clumping bamboo instead of running? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Species List for Ponca OK June 24, 2011 I planted daylilies in my Austin garden and did not do well. I moved these daylilies to my garden in Ponca City Oklahoma and have done outstanding relying only on mother nature's rain. My garden in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native little leaf linden (Tilia cordata) June 24, 2011 What is the name of the little leaf linden that has no flowers or pods to shed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Leaves on non-native Confederate Jasmine dry up in Buda TX June 23, 2011 Leaves on star or confederate jasmine vine dry up. Not due to lack of water and I can't find any insect damage. Starts with one shoot and then spreads to entire plant. I will try to attach picture... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What variations of non-native Lavender will grow in Montgomery County TX June 18, 2011 I live in East Montgomery County, Texas. What varieties of Lavender grow best in my area? I had some success with Providence variety and Spanish variety. I would like to grow more varieties if possi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Chocolate Mimosa from Dallas June 15, 2011 I have a Chocolate Mimosa I planted last spring. It came back strong this spring but suddenly the leafs have started turning brown and falling off, it gets watered every morning and I don't have a c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| poor blooming on (non-native) plumbago June 14, 2011 I recently purchased several blue Plumbago plants that were covered in blooms. We planted them in our front beds that receive about 5 hours of morning sun then afternoon shade. I have watered them eve... View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native althea in White Oak TX June 10, 2011 I have an althea bush that is 2 years old. I have never had a problem with it before but this year only half of it has leaved out and is blooming. The other half has some very small leaves and very sm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native impatiens from Charlottesville VA June 09, 2011 Question about type of impatiens. My Alabama mother grew these and called them touch-me-not. They grow about 2 feet tall and blooms grow UNDER the leaf canopy up the stem. Colors I have are pale pink ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Gardening in Bahrain June 07, 2011 Hey, I'm living in Bahrain where the climate is really hot and the soil is kinda very salty. I've got my mango tree in the ground already, transferred it 2 months ago from the pot. I've noticed the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Insect pest on non-native dwarf apply tree in Utica MI June 02, 2011 I have a dwarf apple tree that bears 5-6 different kinds of apples. I am having trouble with insects; what is a good choice for this and feeding it? Is there also a organic choice? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Milkweed and non-native goatweed in Austin May 28, 2011 Which parks or fields can we find many milkweed and goatweed in Austin, TX? I live in Austin, TX 78757. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Promoting growth on non-native dipladinias (mandevillia) from Point Pleasant NJ May 26, 2011 My Dipladinias were almost dead when I bought them last year, but after a little TLC, they blossomed like CRAZY in pots outside. They stopped blooming in November (I brought them into the house in Se... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacement for non-native St. Augustine in San Antonio May 26, 2011 I have a large oak tree on one side of my front yard. St. Augustine grass does not grow there because of the shade. What do you recommend as a replacement for the St. Augustine? I would like to send... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ants in vegetable garden in Muskogee OK May 25, 2011 I have ants in my vegetable garden this spring - I think because of all the rain. I think they are the culprits that ruined my spinach and swiss chard. They have left all the lettuces alone..but you... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native mango in pool area in Stuart FL May 23, 2011 We are landscaping a backyard and want to put in a pool. He wants to keep the huge mango tree that overhangs part of the pool area, I don't really care but would like to know what other fast growing... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Long-legged bugs eating roses in Richmond VA May 22, 2011 There are bugs eating my roses. What can I do? They look like long bugs with a lot of legs. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing leaves on non-native podocarpus Cupertino CA May 22, 2011 I recently planted a podacarpus granular and over half the leaves are turning yellow some are dead. What could be the problem? Is there something I can feed it? What should I do? I planted four & the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native invasive Chocolate Mimosa in Gulfport MS May 18, 2011 Another Mimosa Question: I have a newly planted chocolate mimosa; it has a single, 7 ft spindly trunk with approximately a 3 ft canopy. I'm afraid that its girth will not withstand much in terms of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native African violets from Mason OH May 18, 2011 I have had 3 african violets for at least 4 weeks. I continue to water them and have moved their location. They continue to have wilted leaves. Are they done for or is there something I can do to g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can non-native Jacaranda be grown in San Antonio May 17, 2011 Can I grow a jacaranda tree in San Antonio? Wonder if it can handle heat, occasional freezes, & dry seasons. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are non-native Cleveland pear trees poisonous to dogs in Rushsylvania, OH May 11, 2011 Are Cleveland pear trees poisonous to dogs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of non-native lesser celandine in Oswego NY May 11, 2011 Help! We have lesser celandine on approx. an acre of our property right on Lake Ontario, it's in my gardens and in our yard, and in the woods, I have dug it out of my gardens, but I'm not able to g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Weeds invading non-native Asian Jasmine in Dallas April 26, 2011 Weeds have invaded my Asian Jasmine. What can I do to kill the weeds and not the Asian Jasmine? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native mint invading flower beds in Kendallville IN April 26, 2011 A few years back we were given two sprouts of something referred to as peppermint tea. We planted in our flower bed and now it has taken over. It seems to start slow in the spring but doesn't take lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Bradford pear in Katy TX April 24, 2011 Hi. I have a Bradford Pear that I wrapped during the freeze at the base of the trunk during last years freeze. It is about 4.5 yrs old. The base has cracked and the top is dry and lifeless; however, a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Accompanying plant for non-native dianthus in Arden NC April 23, 2011 Hi,I have dianthus and need a small plant-full sun to go with it down both sides of our driveway-thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Late blooming Esperanza in St. Augustine FL April 21, 2011 I bought an Esperanza at a plant expo- I was told it was a Florida native Allamanda. It took me two years to figure out what I had. Mine grows 8 ft. tall and is huge! But it doesn't bloom until alm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Can non-native red-tip photinia be burned in fireplace from Lilburn GA? April 20, 2011 Can I burn red tip photinia in my fireplace? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can non-native guavas be successfully moved from Gulfport MS? April 19, 2011 Can guavas be moved successfully from one established planted location to another? My mother is having to relocate due to MDOT and we would like to move her established guavas. Thank you, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating non-native grasses growiing in non-native alfalfa in Clint, TX April 16, 2011 I have six acres of alfalfa in Clint, Tx which was planted three years ago. After taking it to Jaime Iglesias PhD, CEA-Agriculture Texas Agrilife Extension El Paso County; he responded: Mr. Zuniga: ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of contaminants leaching from asphalt driveway to adjacent vegetable garden in Tucson April 13, 2011 We have planted a vegetable garden next to a driveway. The driveway has recently (within the last 2 years) been covered with asphalt. My concern is that the oil may leach into my vegetables. Is thi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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