Native Plants
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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - May 11, 2015
From: Washington, DC
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Shrubs, Trees
Title: Chickasaw Plum suckering potential in Washington DC area
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I have planted some chickasaw plums around the border of my property. My property is surrounded by a wooded area, which then opens into a golfcourse. Is there a chance that my chickasaw plums would disturb the growth in the wooded area or send suckers out onto the golf course? I like the plums but I dont want them to have an overpowering or invasive effect on my surroundings. Thank youANSWER:
Chickasaw plum is much more prone to suckering and forming large clonal colonies in the western part of its range than in the eastern US. In your area, it tends to grow as a small tree with very limited suckering. Any root sprouts that do appear on the golf course adjacent to your property will be easily dealt with by the ground crews of the golf course. The trees should have no affect at all on your woodlands.
More Shrubs Questions
Fuzzy Citrus Fruit on Satsuma and Lemon Trees
September 13, 2014 - A man asked you about fuzzy little small fruit-like balls that looked like tiny lemons. I have huge numbers of these on both my mature Satsuma and lemon tree this year. I get 100's of really great f...
view the full question and answer
Can a Texas Mountain Laurel grow in Northeast Oklahoma?
May 09, 2015 - I was born and raised in Texas but am now living in Northeast Oklahoma. I miss the smell of Texas mountain laurels in the spring. Is there any way of getting one to grow here?
view the full question and answer
Wet adapted plants for Virginia Beach VA
June 28, 2013 - I live in Virginia Beach, VA on Lynnhaven waterway (leads into Chesapeake bay, but at my point is more brackish). I've recently removed/contained bamboo with concrete and metal barriers and now want...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control on partially shaded slope
November 27, 2010 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I live in Atlanta, GA. My house is on a hill, and I am beginning to have erosion at my backyard porch (concrete slab, on the corners especially). The soil is mainly red clay, a...
view the full question and answer
Identification of a shrub in San Marcos, TX
May 20, 2013 - On a walk in Austin's Barton Creek greenbelt, a Treefolks volunteer identified a shrub that I also have on my property in San Marcos as blue candalia. However I can't find a plant by that name via w...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |