Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Thursday - September 10, 2015

From: BLOOMINGDALE, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Will Convallaria majuscula grow in Texas?
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

Can I transplant Convallaria majuscula, American lily-of-the-valley I originally brought from northern Wisconsin a few years back to the Chicago area to my new home in Buda Texas?

ANSWER:

Welcome to a new world of gardening in Texas. In the wild, the closest that Convallaria majuscula grows to Texas is Georgia as it prefers the climate and soil conditions of the southeast (Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia).It prefers a woodland environment and can be invasive in ideal conditions. It might be too hot and dry during the summer (which will force it into a prolonged dormancy) and perhaps not cold long enough in the winter to really perform well in Buda Texas, but you could try. A shady, moist location with lots of deciduous leaf compost as a mulch would be a good site for it. Make sure it is contained with a barrier so it doesn't become invasive too.

 

From the Image Gallery


American lily-of-the-valley
Convallaria majuscula

American lily-of-the-valley
Convallaria majuscula

American lily-of-the-valley
Convallaria majuscula

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Need suggestions for plants for bioswales in Philadelphia, PA
August 24, 2015 - Hello, Are there a handful of species you would recommend for inclusion in bioswales throughout the US? I realize plants need to be selected based on climate, but I'm wondering if there are two or...
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

Plant identification from Prairie Village KS
August 25, 2012 - My friend has identified this plant as a Horseweed. It is 3 1/2 to 4 feet tall. Has a thick, fuzzy single stem. Linear leaves, about 3/4 inch across and 3 or 4 inches long with one or two notches on e...
view the full question and answer

Need suggestions for plants to put between stones on a path in Austin, TX
April 12, 2013 - I am looking for plants to put between stones on a path, which are low-an inch or two, green, low water and tolerate full sun in Austin, Texas
view the full question and answer

Looking for a source for milkweed plants in Goshen, KY.
July 12, 2012 - I live in Louisville(actually Jeffersontown), KY and would love to find some milkweed plants for the butterflies. I have not had any luck with seeds so I am looking for actual plants. Do you have an...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.