Native Plants
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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.
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Sunday - April 18, 2010
From: Topeka, KS
Region: Midwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Pruning of non-native Mimosa in Topeka KS
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Read the Mimosa answer with much interest - other websites are love and hate this tree - we love ours - had one before that was multiple trunk and bought one from local nursery that seems to be single trunk as you describe - query - how much can we cut it back - we would like to control its height by cutting it to "Nubbins" our word in late fall so it does not obscure view from deck - too much pruning hurt it?ANSWER:
As you probably know from reading the previous website, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to the care, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plant is being grown. Because of large number of questions we are asked, usually answered by a small band of volunteers, we must confine ourself to answers on native plants only.
You might want to read some of the pros and cons on Dave's Garden, a forum, on Albizia julibrissin, Mimosa, which is native to temperate and tropical Asia, and therefore out of our range of expertise. Another forum, iVillage GardenWeb, has some suggestions on pruning a Mimosa.
More Non-Natives Questions
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March 20, 2011 - I live in Central Texas outside Austin city limits. I've recently purchased a dwarf Meyer lemon tree and planted it in a large pot. It's doing very well. I will be out-of-state from July through ...
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Will deer eat lemon cypress trees from Hayden ID
June 02, 2012 - Do deer eat lemon cypress trees? We do not think so since they are so spiny, but wanted a clarification.
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Problems with non-native closet plant
November 23, 2008 - I have three closet plants. All are putting on new growth and even blooming. However, the leaves are turning brown from the edges. What is the problem?
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Help with non-native plants in California
January 14, 2014 - I am growing some beads of pearl in my front yard in front of a pepper tree that has been around for over 150 years. My question is what can I do to get my beads of pearl to grow without cutting down ...
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Transplant shock of non-native Bougainvillea
May 22, 2008 - Well I bought two Bougainvilleas, the first one I transplanted is doing great, the second one not so good when I was taking it out of the original pot the root ball stayed in the pot but the plant wit...
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