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 - October 12, 2008
From: Pflugerville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Texas frogfruit vs. non-native St. Augustine grass
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Can Texas frogfruit resist invasion by St. Augustine grass, or will I need to create a barrier?ANSWER:
St. Augustine grass is almost a textbook example of what invasive non-native plants can do. At least, it's not quite as bad as Bermudagrass, which spreads both by stolons and underground rhizomes. However, Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit) is often found growing as a "weed" in St. Augustine, and is pretty tough and self-sufficient. We don't know that a barrier is necessary, but we would certainly keep the St. Augustine pulled out when it approaches the Frogfruit. Once they intermingle, you will find it more difficult to pull out the St. Augustine without damaging the Frogfruit. If you don't mind their co-existing, be assured that they can, and don't worry about it.
More Non-Natives Questions
Failure to thrive of non-native Lamium maculatum
August 01, 2008 - Hello: Approximately 3 to 4 years ago I planted approximately 20 Lamium Beacon Silver plants in a shaded area of my yard, with limited sun. The first year they seemed very hearty and expanded. I ce...
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Top soil dressing for bermudagrass
February 25, 2009 - Need to apply top soil dressing to bermudagrass. Can you suggest any type? This area is heavy clay soil and need to even out the lawn as well as feed the grass.
view the full question and answer
Problems on mock orange plant in England
August 20, 2008 - I have a small mock orange plant that is about 3 years old. It is currently in a 12 inch plant pot in full sun. It bloomed beautifully this year but the leaves on both the new and old growth are start...
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Distribution vs. Native Distribution in NPIN?
September 27, 2013 - I'm a Habitat Steward in Austin and conducting a native plant swap tomorrow, 9/28/13.
I need to be able to tell people who come whether their plant is native or not.
I want to use your smart phone ...
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Texas native plants that absorb air-borne pollutants
December 15, 2008 - hello mr. and mrs. smarty, I'm looking for native Texas plants that absorb pollutants and trap air-borne particulates. I found a list (below), but don't think they're native. Could you give me ad...
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