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 | |
| Preventing seed production in non-native chinaberry in Yucaipa CA July 04, 2009 You were just asked about "keeping almonds from producing" I actually found your site to ask how to keep a chinaberry tree from producing its berries. I am considering renting a commercial property ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native weeping willow in Villanova PA July 03, 2009 My weeping willow (6 years old,80+ft tall),up until this year used to be full and healthy. Last year I trimmed the lower portion of the trunk by cutting off the low hanging branches, but this year so ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native bougainvillea in Blackfoot, ID June 29, 2009 Can I plant Bougainvillea in Blackfoot, ID? I would like to plant it but am concerned about the harsh winter killing it off. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning of non-native weigela and roses June 29, 2009 I have a Red Prince wiegala (spelling?) and while most of the branches have leaves and red flowers, there are some branches that never produced any leaves or flowers. Should I prune them? If so, can... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dying non-native red tip photinias in Lexington NC June 27, 2009 Large Red Tip bushes, what can I do to keep them alive? I have a few and they are dying. What can I do to save them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native hibiscus in Buckeye, AZ June 26, 2009 We have been having problems with our hibiscus plants. They are planted near 3 queen palms behind our pool. All were planted new three years ago. Early in the spring we had two just suddenly start dry... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Replacing non-native Paulonia tomentosa in North Carolina June 25, 2009 What could I plant in my Winston-Salem, N.C., yard in place of the paulownia tomentosa which is there now (it was NOT something I put there; I only figured out what it was a couple of years ago -- I g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native carrotwood tree in Simi Valley CA June 25, 2009 We have a beautiful 40+ foot carrotwood tree that has been covered with small nut-like pods growing in bunches. They are a mess. Is there a spray that controls/eliminates this problem? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Carrotwood tree in Toluca Lake CA June 25, 2009 My Carrotwood tree leaves are turning yellow and curling down, Why? Also due to a bad trim, the outer limbs are dying. Can you tell me what is wrong? It is an old tree and I would like to save it! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants that will survive in Mammoth Lake, CA June 25, 2009 What fruit trees survive the Mammoth Lakes winter? What roses will grow in Mammoth? Please give me a list of all trees that grow in Crowley and Mammoth lakes? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Removing non-native juniperus x pfitzeriana in Arvada CO June 25, 2009 We have 200' of large juniper pfitzers (3' tall - 4' wide) that completely enclose our front yard. We want to remove all of them but the estimates to dispose of them have been extremely high. One... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about non-native Night Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) June 23, 2009 Hello, I have been trying to identify a shrub that has been in my backyard for many years, and I happened to come across your website. I was able to identify the plant as Night-Blooming Jasmine, but t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native crapemyrtles changing color in Homer LA June 23, 2009 I have six natchez crape myrtles, 2 1/2 years old now. This year, one of them has started blooming in a lavender color. Have you ever heard of this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting distance for non-native crepe myrtles in San Antonio June 23, 2009 I just purchased 7 katawba crepe myrtles and would like to know how far apart I need to space them. I am placing down on the right side of my front yard. They are in 5 gallon containers and about 5 - ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native. Why are my potted Royal Empress trees dying? June 22, 2009 I have purchased several Royal Empress trees over the past two years. Why won't they grow? Some sprouted leaves and then died while in the pots I planted them in. While others, that are 2 years old ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native, care for Jade plant. June 22, 2009 I've had a jade plant for 5 years and it has done well, even though it was in a plastic pot with regular soil. I need to repot it and it was recommended I use a clay pot and a soil made for succulen... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native potato tree (Solanum macranthum or Lycianthes rantonnetii) June 20, 2009 I live in Phoenix. I bought what was called a potato tree. Purple flowers with blooms quite often. It seemed a little puny and twiggy so I fed it Miracle Grow. It is now gorgeous with lovely leave... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native althea in Georgetown, TX June 20, 2009 My white althea's leaves have a white edge, last year the bloom did not open. Is it sick? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native mimosa as deer food in Colerain, NC June 20, 2009 I was wondering if deer eat any part of the mimosa tree? I have three good sized trees in my yard with seedlings popping up everywhere. Would it be profitable to transplant for deer habitat? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Ginkgo biloba in New York June 19, 2009 A female Ginkgo tree dropped its seeds. Now, I have seedlings all over the yard. I don't want more female Ginkgo trees. They create putrid Ginkgo seeds. However, I would like more male Ginkgo trees. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why will my Plumbago not bloom in Buies Creek NC? June 15, 2009 I purchased a plumbago about two weeks ago with w few old blooms. I pinched them off, and my plant has not bloomed since. I understand they bloom profusely, and have witnessed it myself. Why isn't... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Proximity of orange trees in Phoenix AZ June 14, 2009 Do I need to plant my orange tree away from my neighbors orange tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native Chinese pistache in Eagle Pass, TX June 14, 2009 Hi Mr Smarty Plants!! I just bought a young chinese pistache tree, is no bigger than 7 feet. I've never had one of these trees before, I'm about to plant it and I would also like to fertilize it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting distance for non-native crepe myrtles in Lawton OK June 14, 2009 We just bought Tonto Crepe Myrtle trees. I was just curious how far away from the house we should plant them. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Winter-hardiness of hibiscus in Idaho June 14, 2009 I bought a hibiscus tree at Sam's Club in Idaho Falls and after planting it, I read the label which says not to go below 50 degrees. Does that mean it is an inside or potted tree to bring in in the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Control of invasive non-native Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) June 11, 2009 What can I do to control garlic mustard that has moved into my wild area and what should I plant to combat this aggressive plant? Ostrich ferns, Pagoda dogwoods and emerald hemlocks have been recommen... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Thrips on non-native roses in Austin June 11, 2009 How can I get rid of thrips that have totally invaded all of my roses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for non-native mandevilla in Greensboro, NC June 11, 2009 I bought two potted mandevilla vines last year and read on a website for winter care to cut the vine back at least a foot from the soil. However this spring going into summer it has barely produced an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with non-native Chocolate Silk Tree, Albizia julibrissin June 09, 2009 How do we get our Chocolate Silk Tree that once had redish brown leaves from now green to the original color? Thank You. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with non-native gerbera daisies June 09, 2009 My gerber daiseys leaf but they don't want to bloom. They come back. What am I doing wrong? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trailing snapdragon hanging basket has flowers that are turning brown. June 09, 2009 Trailing snapdragon hanging basket in yellow, flowers are turning brown all over the plant. Why? I water every day as told & fertilized once in 3 weeks. It was so beautiful. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for 'Winchester' honeysuckle? June 05, 2009 I have a Winchester honeysuckle that is now in full bloom. Do I "deadhead" the blooms after they die off? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ailing non-native red tip photinia June 05, 2009 My red tips look like they are brittle and the leaves are spotted. What do I do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care of non-native Betula pendula 'Youngii' (Young's Weeping Birch) June 04, 2009 We planted a Young's Weeping Birch on the side of our house here in NJ a few weeks ago and it seems to be thriving. When we purchased Fred (which is what we've named our youngster), he was in a pot ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with beheaded non-native Gerbera daisies in Cooperstown, NY May 31, 2009 I planted my gerberas in my perennial bed - as usual. Something is beheading them and leaving the blooms along side the plant. Some of the bloom is eaten but most of it is right there. I have t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Moving non-native Iris Germanica in Pennsylvania May 30, 2009 I am moving from Northeast Pennsylvania to North Carolina this fall or winter. I was told it was possible to save some of my bearded Iris plants by digging them after they bloom and allowing them to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Chinese pistache tree in San Jose CA May 30, 2009 We have a Chinese Pistache tree that is between 25 and 30 years-old. Over the past couple years, we have observed more and more branches dying. They turn black, and remain leafless in the spring, when... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with tomatoes in tubs in Campbellton, TX May 30, 2009 I have my tomatoes planted in big black plastic tubs, they are starting to wilt and dry up. I have put Sevin dust on them for bugs. I haven't been over watering. Could you please tell me why they are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native windmill palm in Eden NY May 29, 2009 I have a potted windmill palm, about two weeks after being potted the leaves are turning yellow with brown spots on them. what have I done wrong? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pruning smoketree in New Jersey May 29, 2009 How far from ground level do I prune a relatively young Smoke tree to get the bush effect? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are non-natives, Dappled willow and Kousa dogwood, toxic to horses? May 27, 2009 Are dappled willow trees/bushes or kousa dogwood trees toxic to horses? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is there a purple passion hibiscus? May 27, 2009 Hello! I bought a climbing vine in a hanging basket that looks like a passion flower vine to me. However, I was told that it was a "purple passion hibiscus." I cannot find such a flower on the inter... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is wrong with cultivars of native plants? May 26, 2009 What is wrong with cultivars of native plants? My state native plant society won't allow cultivars at their annual sale, and the native plant nursery from which I order only offers the species. But a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native corkscrew willow in Homerville GA May 25, 2009 I have a corkscrew willow tree and it the branches are turning dark and dying. What could be the problem? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native Star Jasmine in Round Rock, TX May 24, 2009 I have two star jasmine plants in pots located just under the eaves of my Round Rock, Texas patio. They have been very healthy specimens until this year. They are thinning badly and the ends of the br... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Disease problems with non-native Globe Willow May 23, 2009 Globe Willow - Is exuding a white frothy foam/sap at several locations. What is this and how can it be stopped? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting location of non-native Japanese maple in Toronto May 22, 2009 Hi Mr. Smarty, I am in the region of Toronto, Canada. I just bought from nursery a "Red Select" Janpanese Maple, about 2' tall, still in its 1' pot. I intended to plant it in my front yard ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with non-native impatiens in Denton, TX May 19, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, 4 weeks ago I planted a shady bed (2'x10') with impatiens for the third year in-a-row. Previously, the plants thrived & bloomed till November. Three weeks ago, something ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-native lilac in a pot in New Hampshire May 18, 2009 I live in an apartment with a balcony that gets morning sun but is in the shade by 3 pm. Can I plant a lilac in a pot? What perennial would do well in New Hampshire? I love lilacs and would like to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with peonies in Indianola, WA May 18, 2009 My 5 year old peony plant didn't come up. I thought it was dead so I dug it up. I found a clump of thick roots. I separated them, and then realized these were probably the bulbs. It is the middle... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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