Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Thursday - April 16, 2015
From: Buckannan Dam, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Lists, Diseases and Disorders, Shrubs
Title: Shrubs for Central Texas that are Verticillium Resistant
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
We need a list of at least a few shrubs in the 6'x3'+ size that are Verticillium Wilt resistant. We have taken out the affected Elaeagnus and would like to replace it with a screen of similar density if possible. We could not find Leucophyllum frutescans that were suitable. Thank you for any help as we need this ASAP. We are zone 8a in Central Texas.ANSWER:
Verticillium Wilt is a disease caused by a fungi that affects many different species of plants. The Texas Plant Disease Handbook at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has a good description of the symptoms.
Plants first show a wilted appearance. Individual branches or even single leaves may be affected at first. Leaves develop a yellow color, often in V-shaped sectors between the major veins. Leaves eventually die and fall.
Discoloration or brown streaking is often found in vascular tissues. The fungus can be readily isolated from the diseased stems. Diseased plants may die soon after first symptoms or they may sprout at the base after the top dies.
The disease is similar to Fusarium wilt and have some characteristics in common. These are:
- Both thrive with high nitrogen fertilizer, excessive soil moisture, thin stands, and deep cultivation during the growing season.
- Both fungi survive long periods in soil in the absence of a cultivated host.
The University of California has published a list of Plants Resistant or Susceptible to Verticillium Wilt of which Elaeagnus is susceptible.
Some shrubs that are native to Texas and are not listed under the susceptible to Verticillium wilt list include:
Ageratina havanensis (Shrubby boneset)
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii (Flame acanthus)
Lantana urticoides (Texas lantana) Listed as Resistant or Immune
Malvastrum aurantiacum (Wright's false mallow)
Pavonia lasiopetala (Rock rose)
Philadelphus ernestii (Canyon mock orange)
Senna lindheimeriana (Lindheimer's senna)
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Pruning of Desert Hibiscus Coulteri from Lubbock, TX
October 20, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
We have in our garden this year 2 volunteer Desert Hibiscus Coulteri----quite lanky! I notice on your website under "comments" someone notes they should be cut back "nearly...
view the full question and answer
Replacing shrubs with perennials in NY
June 29, 2011 - We removed a lot of shrubs from our back yard that had been there for many years. We now want to plant perennials but there seems to be a lot of very deep roots in the soil. The roots look dead but I...
view the full question and answer
How to deal with suckers on Flame-leaf Sumac
May 20, 2013 - Hi! It seems you can have too much of a good thing! Our flameleaf sumac is taking over our yard. There are multiple shoots appearing in our flower beds and in the lawn. How do I get rid of the unwante...
view the full question and answer
Growing Texas mountain laurel in a pot
March 07, 2016 - I have a really good friend who Mom pass away just recently and they were the best of friends. She loved her mother dearly and did tons of stuff together. Recently I posted a picture of a Mountain L...
view the full question and answer
Need help with Wheeler's Dwarf Pittosporum
September 02, 2015 - We have about five Dwarf Wheeler Pittosporum plants. All of them are mature and were doing well. I was on vacation for a week or so and when I came back I saw of each of them is plant 90% dead. The d...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |