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
Wednesday - June 26, 2013
From: SAN ANTONIO, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Seeds and Seeding, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Standing Cypress Plants in San Antonio, TX
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I purchased seeds for standing cypress 2 years ago and this spring they look beautiful. What is the best way to harvest the seeds? Also, will the current plants come back next spring or will I have to wait another 2 years for the seed from this spring to bloom?ANSWER:
Standing Cypress Ipomopsis rubra (Standing cypress) is a beautiful, showy plant that attracts both humming birds and butterflies. You’ve already experienced the fact that it is a biennial, meaning that it grows vegetatively for the first year and blooms during the second year. Your current plants will probably follow the same scenatio. It flowers in May June and July. Let the seed completely mature on the plant before removing in order to plant in the Fall. Planting seeds each Fall in consecutive years will help ensure that you will have Standing Cypress in bloom each spring.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Plants to hide utility boxes
July 16, 2008 - What are suggestions for plants to plant around utilities boxes (3 of them clustered together) to effectively camouflage them but be attractive. We will outline a larger area in brick, plant evergree...
view the full question and answer
Fiber and dye plants at the Wildflower Center from Round Rock TX
May 24, 2012 - When I visited the Wildflower Center recently I noticed a garden labeled as containing fiber and dye plants, but the individual plants and their uses were not all labeled. I would be very interested ...
view the full question and answer
Will several Penstemon species hybridize?
March 19, 2013 - I have Penstemon cobaea, Penstemon triflorus, Penstemon cardinalis, and Penstemon murrayanus in my landscape. Will they hybridize with each other?
view the full question and answer
Need plants beneficial or attractive to bees in Dripping Springs, TX
January 27, 2014 - Can you provide a specific list of plants beneficial or attractive to honey bees in the Texas Hill Country (we raise bees in Dripping Springs, TX.) Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for shady area in north Texas
July 29, 2013 - I'm looking for a ground cover for a mostly shady area where St. Augustine won't grow. I don't want the ground cover to overtake my established St. Augustine in the rest of the yard. The area is un...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |