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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| topic | question | |
| Non-native Concord grapes in Hilo, Hawaii September 10, 2009 Hi, I live in a area that does not freeze over winter, and humidity is quite high. Do you think that Concord grapes will fruit? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native weeping willow in Greenville NY September 10, 2009 We live on the border of Zones 5b and 6a and have a weeping willow that grew so much in only 3 years and did quite well. However, there are aerial roots growing on its bark as well as part of the bark... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting non-native coastal bermudagrass in Portland TX September 09, 2009 How do you plant coastal grass? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blossoms blowing off non-native navel orange tree from Ocala FL September 08, 2009 Why do the blossoms blow off navel orange tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fertilizer burns on non-native St. Augustine grass September 07, 2009 We put summer guard fertilizer on our lush St. Augustine grass and it didn't get watered in after application. As a result we have burned the yard badly in patches. What can we do to correct proble... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native pomegranate in Albuquerque September 07, 2009 I don't know if they are now considered native or not but I am interested in planting Principia or Pomegranates in Albuquerque, windy and a mile high. Do I have a chance? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native wedelia and dayflower in Lihue HI September 03, 2009 I have wedelia as ground covering, day flower or commelinaceae takes over. What can I use or spray to rid myself of the day flower problem? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Does NPIN include non-native plant species? September 03, 2009 I'm writing a book on the plants eaten by 12th century Indians of Florida. I'd like to use your site for some of my research. You say all of your plants are native, but then under some listings (wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with non-native peach tree in Willingboro NJ September 02, 2009 I have a peach tree in my back yard. The tree was in the yard when I bought the house. I have lived at my address almost six years. This year the peach tree is dripping a thick jelly-like sap from ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Question about non-native false aralia (Schefflera elegantissima) September 02, 2009 Hi. I have a False Aralia-8 stalks. Have had for a while and recently it has begun (and for the first time) dropping leaves. The stalks are getting pretty barren. I know the genreal care for the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting a non-native Solandra nitida in Cape Town, South Africa August 26, 2009 How long does it take a Cup of Gold (Solandra Nitida) to flower when planted from a cutting. The site is against a North facing wall. It gets afternoon sun. Plant looks healthy and is approximately ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Ruellia brittonia in Raleigh NC August 23, 2009 I have discovered Mexican Petunias this year. I LOVE THEM! Beautiful plant. However, they are so tall and after a rain are leaning badly. Should I tie them back? Will they get stronger as they ma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Bugs on non-native Pachystachys lutea in Hawaii August 20, 2009 My golden shrimp/lollipop plant has aphid like bugs. They are darker and firmer than aphids but clump like them. They are consuming it. What are they and how do I get rid of them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native red-tip photinias dying in San Antonio August 20, 2009 A 17 year old Red tip Photinia in a hedge shows signs of dying. The main stalks are quite large and offshoots from two of the stalks have brittle, drooping leaves. The center of the plant looks norm... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fragrant native plants for San Antonio, TX August 19, 2009 I live in San Antonio, Texas, and I am re-landscaping my backyard after my dog ate some of the beautiful blooming oleander and had to spend some time at the vet's. My backyard is my sanctuary, and it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Aphids in non-native crape myrtles in Austin August 19, 2009 What is the least toxic way of getting rid of aphids? They are on a crapemyrtle and I do not think it will hold up to really forceful water spray. Due to the drought in Central Texas, our St. Augus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing leaves on non-native weeping birch in Brick NJ August 16, 2009 I have a young weeping birch-planted in spring-we water regularly, it gets good sun-and rain has been perfect--the leaves get yellow--and now they are a lot! Whats the matter? I love my little tree.I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Corkscrew willow damage to roof in Detroit, MI. August 13, 2009 I have a corkscrew willow (Detroit, MI) that is huge and whose branches hang on top of the asphalt shingles of my mobile home. It has now been discovered that these shingles, under the branches, are ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Moving non-native globe willow in Ft. Worth TX August 10, 2009 I planted a globe willow in a small area in front of my house and it is probably going to need more space. Can I replant it in a more open area without killing it? It is about 8-9 ft tall, 2-3 ft of ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native tropicals for Syracuse, NY August 10, 2009 I live in upstate New York but am a fanatic about tropical plants, palms and banana trees. They're obviously all in pots that I take indoors, and I lose them from time to time. (Had a coconut palm th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Moving non-native globe willow in Mansfield TX August 10, 2009 I have a globe willow that we planted in a little landscaped area out front of house not realizing how large top would get. Can I move the tree without damaging it? It is about 9 ft tall, 5-6 ft wid... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can berries of non-native Fuchsia plant be eaten from Duluth MN August 09, 2009 Are the berries of the Fuschia plant edible? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native pittisporum disease in Austin August 09, 2009 Did Barbara Medford of Round Rock, TX ever find out what was causing sections of her dwarf pittosporum to die out? I have seen this in many yards now. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native flowers of Italy from Glenwood Springs, CO August 09, 2009 My son is dating an Italian girl. Could you just tell me some native flowers of Italy, so he can send her some flowers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Expected color of non-native crapemyrtles in Natchitoches LA August 04, 2009 just bought 8 new crepe myrtle trees that are suppose to be dynamite red in color. However, the few bulbs that are on them when you break them open they are white! Does this mean they are going to be ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Spacing of non-native crapemyrtle in Anniston AL August 04, 2009 We bought some Dazzle dwarf crepe myrtle bushes. We need to know how far apart to plant them. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing a non-native lemon tree in Central Illinois August 03, 2009 How to grow a lemon tree in Central Illinois? Which one would be the best to grow? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dying non-native cleyera in Lafayette, LA August 01, 2009 Thanks for all the information. One of my six year old cleyera shrubs turned completly brown within two weeks, it is dead. Another is beginning to do the same......do you think it was the recent dro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas native plants in an indoor space in Dallas July 31, 2009 Is there a native Texas plant that would be suited for an indoor application, such as large planters in a lobby space? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Planting onions in Michigan July 30, 2009 Hello, I live in Mi in zone 5. Can I plant green onions now (7/30/09)? And will they have enough time to have for an October-ish harvast? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What causes peach fruit to ooze sap? July 27, 2009 I have a peach tree at our new house. The peaches are small and yellow but appeared healthy. Now it looks like they are oozing or weeping sap out of several places on each one. I dont know if its a di... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why is my Weeping Fig crying leaves? July 27, 2009 I have a weeping fig that I bought Memorial day in Birmingham, Al. It has 8 or 9 trunks growing altogether. It sits on a porch with eastern exposure, only about 2 hours of sun. It has been losing l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of potted non-native geraniums July 26, 2009 I live in lower Michigan (Mt. Clemens) and recently purchased 2 small, potted geraniums. They are a beautiful vibrant red in color. As the blooms wilt and turn dark, should I snip that part off the st... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Why are there gnats in my houseplants? July 22, 2009 I have flying brown gnats in my house plants. Can you tell me why? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fungal root rot in non-native Shasta daisies in Channahon IL July 21, 2009 HELP! My Shasta daisies have fungal root rot. Is there any way to save them? I've been removing the browned stems. I'm so sad. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellow bands around edges of leaves in Whitney TX July 20, 2009 How can you tell whether esperanzas are getting too much water or not enough - ours have a small yellow band around the edges of the leaves - crape myrtles - same question View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Different kinds of lantana in Wilmington, NC July 19, 2009 I live in Wilmington, NC. I spent a small fortune on three varieties of lantana--Cherry Sunrise, Ham & Eggs and Bandana Red. I live on a salt water tidal creek and most are in full sun. Some are i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Failure to bloom of non-native lilac in Plymouth MD July 18, 2009 My five year old lilacs are not blooming, WHY? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Leaves shriveling on non-native Japanese maple in Redmond WA July 18, 2009 My husband and I bought a Japanese Maple 3 years ago which we planted in an old wine barrel for our patio, along with some ivy and grass to keep the surface covered. Until recently, it has been doing ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Return to original color of non-native crape myrtles in Henderson, TX July 17, 2009 Mr. Smarty Plants, I bought 3 Dynamite Crape Myrtles that were about 3 -4 feet tall (at Lowe's). In the late Spring, I planted 2 of them about 100 feet apart, in full sun, and left the other one in... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| When to plant bermudagrass in East Texas July 17, 2009 When to plant Bermuda grass in East TX, Center, Nacodoches, Lufkin and Center area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native lavender for Texas in San Antonio July 15, 2009 I am looking for a lavender (English?) that will tolerate Tx summers, is evergreen, will tolerate some shade. I want to border a sidewalk with it. All help appreciated. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacing non-natives and kudzu in Spartanburg SC July 12, 2009 I would dearly love to cut down the red tips and leland cypress, as well as the 2 Savannah hollies and 15 ft cleyera which the kudzu has overrun along my property line, get rid of a chunk of lawn and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Potted non-native mimosas in the U.S. July 12, 2009 We need I hope there is someone who could tell me where I could find potted mimosa plants in the US. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native mandevilla in Southport NC July 11, 2009 I have planted a mandevilla and the leaves look healthy. It produces buds, but something is cutting them off. Right next to it is a mandevilla that is blooming profusely. Any ideas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants (mostly non-native) not common to Tyler TX area July 11, 2009 I live in Tyler, TX 75705. I always seem to fall in love with plants that are not common for this area so I cannot find information on growing these plants in this area: Esperanza, Alstromeria, Japan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native gardenias in San Ramon, CA July 11, 2009 I have a Gardenia tree planted in my front yard that gets shade and sun. It is dropping leaves and the leaves that are left are yellow. I had been watering it every day, but decreased that to every ot... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native St. Augustine grass in Spring TX July 09, 2009 St. Augustine. It's July 6th, 3 weeks ago my grass was green and healthy, today I've got large patches (20' x 3') that are dying. I water my yard 10 mins / day in the morning (5:00 am). It's been... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Pride of Barbados for Austin July 07, 2009 When does the Pride of Barbados need to be planted and where would I find a nursery that carries them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Indian hawthorns in Lott TX July 05, 2009 My Indian Hawthornes have developed brown leaves. I planted them about four years ago and until now they have done very well. I bought some 3 in 1 garden spray for fungus, but I don't know if that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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