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 - June 07, 2010
From: Brierfield, AL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Pollinators, Pruning, Cacti and Succulents
Title: When may I remove seed heads from yuccas?
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
Soft tip yuccas dominate my home's landscape. When is the best time to remove the heavy seed heads after flowering? In addition to being difficult to work around, the pods seem to attract infestations of leafleg bugs.ANSWER:
You may remove a flower/seed stalk at any point during its development. If you want to enjoy the flowers but do not need any seeds, remove the stalk near where it emerges from the foliage when the flowers are spent. However, since yuccas and certain moth species are dependent upon one another for their survival in the wild, it might be a good idea to leave one or two flower stalks alone in you garden to provide habitat for the yucca moths living on the plant.
More Pollinators Questions
Bee-friendly bush with small yellow flowers in Minnesota
August 04, 2015 - I was up north in Minnesota and saw a bee friendly bush with small yellow flowers clustered so they looked like small (4"-6") flocked Christmas trees. Any ideas? Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on pollinators
February 20, 2005 - I am researching threatened pollinators in Texas and elsewhere - bees, butterflies, hummingbirds. I would like your input on the subject.
view the full question and answer
Carolina Jessamine Toxic to Honey Bees?
January 20, 2015 - Is Carolina jessamine toxic to honey bees? I have read conflicting answers.
view the full question and answer
Live oak trees buzzing in Taylor TX
October 20, 2012 - Is it possible for live oak trees to make a buzzing sound? We have heard this sound under our live oak and were worried it was bees but we don't seem to see any. I also heard the buzzing under my mot...
view the full question and answer
Making a pollinator garden
August 11, 2014 - Hello, I have a ditch right by my house and I want to turn it into a pollinator garden using native plants. My problem is, right now it's so full of weeds that we have to mow those down so soon. For ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |