Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Wednesday - April 02, 2014
From: Plano, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Turk's Cap not returning from Plano TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
My Turk's Cap has shown no signs of coming back this year as of March 31. I pruned to about 12 inches because it was so bushy last year and it was not mulched thru our harsh winter (10 degree low and lots of ice). Is it still to early to give up on it? Thank you!ANSWER:
Both Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (Turk's cap or turkscap) and Malvaviscus arboreus (Turkscap) are shown in their USDA Plant Profile Maps as being native to Denton County, right next to Collin County, so they are within their natural range. However, the same maps show that many of the areas where the Turkscaps grow are farther south, both in Texas and other southeastern states. This has been an unusually cold Winter and late Spring for Texas, especially in your area. We think they will be all right, as they seem to be tough native flowers, but we will poke around in Google and see if we can find any more information. You can follow those plant links above to our webpage on each plant to find out growing conditions, soils, sun and water needs and compare those with the garden where you are growing your Turkscaps.
From Texas A&M Aggie Horticulture on Turkscap:
"In the Valley it is evergreen, flowering year round, but farther north it will die to the ground as a herbaceous perennial in colder climates where it grows to a maximum of 4 by 4 feet."
"In North Central Texas' black clay, a well-established turk's cap is exceedingly difficult to dig up due to its very tough, dense and deep roots."
It is considered hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 7. According to this USDA Plant Hardiness Map, Collin County is in Zone 7b, so you should be all right.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Frost damage to native plants in Austin
December 19, 2011 - Hello,
We bought a number of native plants at this fall's WFC sale and planted them. The recent frost seems to have defoliated our pitcher sage, beautyberry, butterflyweed, and flame acanthus plan...
view the full question and answer
Stress on Goldenball leadtrees from Austin
June 07, 2014 - I know of two separate instances where young Goldenball Lead Trees (leucena retusa) have shown symptoms of defoliation and a bleeding of white sap from sores that have developed on the bark. The first...
view the full question and answer
Damage to ruellia in Monroe LA
October 26, 2009 - I have hundreds of Ruellia Brittoniana. Dwarf Katie White,
Katie Blue and Katie Pink.
I am finding holes in some of the leaves, Some just have notches chewed out of them. Some of the leaves have...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen tree for planter in Sherman Oaks CA
November 11, 2010 - We have a large cinder block planter, 6ftx6ftx6ft,in the back of our building and would love to find a good evergreen accent tree (but not pine like). Planter is near a building so preferable it shoul...
view the full question and answer
Optimum planting time for perennials and trees
November 02, 2007 - Our group is running out of fall workdays. Is it OK to plant native perennials and small trees in Central Texas during the winter months? Or should we wait now until the spring?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |