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)
Monday - February 24, 2014
From: Pflugerville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Seasonal Tasks, Shrubs
Title: Spring care for Garrya ovata from Pflugerville, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Hello again, Mr. S-P, I planted a Mexican silktassel in April 2012 (purchased at the WFC). It has done well, but the leaves are bronzed and splotchy from this winter's freezes. All the stems are alive. Should I do anything to help the plant, such as trimming it back a bit, or will it simply drop its leaves and grow new ones? It's about 3 feet tall.ANSWER:
Follow this plant link, Garrya ovata (Eggleaf silktassel), to our webpage on this plant to check that the plant is in sun (6 hours or more of sun a day) or part shade (2 to 6 hours of sun). It will be okay in part shade but will bloom better and be more bushy in full sun. Here is another article from the Texas A&M Texas Native Plant Database on Silktassel.
This USDA Plant Profile Map shows that it is native to our part of Central Texas, but you knew that, of course, because the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Sales only sell plants that are native to Central Texas. Our take on pruning is that this is a very young specimen and sounds like it is doing well. Since this tree is evergreen, it probably would be better to let the few yellowing leaves drop off naturally, and wait another season before thinking about a little pruning for shape. We are always glad to hear about our "babies" after they leave the Plant Sales.
From the Image Gallery
More Pruning Questions
Pruning pink skullcap and rock daisy from Austin
February 06, 2013 - I have some pink skullcap and rock daisy and other plants in my yard that never entirely die back over the winter. Can you tell me what kind of pruning is appropriate? How far can/should I cut them ...
view the full question and answer
Improving blooming on mock orange
March 03, 2008 - I have a now 6 yr. old mock orange shrub in the garden which has never bloomed, darn it. I have fed, not fed, mulched, not mulched, sheared, not sheared. What gives? Will it ever bloom, or shall I ...
view the full question and answer
Tidying up Copper Canyon Daisies in San Antonio
March 30, 2010 - We have a small bed with 4 copper canyon daisies. We cut them back in the fall but have not pruned them during growing season; as a result they become a big tangle by September. Should they be pruned ...
view the full question and answer
Problem with crapemyrtle shoots in Victoria, TX
May 13, 2009 - I have a problem with crepe myrtle shoots coming up in my flowerbed. I had to remove a large crepe myrtle tree (18" diameter stump) and digging out the stump was not possible. I killed the stump wi...
view the full question and answer
Branching on plants
March 14, 2008 - Hi Mr SmartyPlants,
I would like to cause my cerus peruvinesus (sp?) to branch low to the ground and another plant to branch higher up..what causes branching & how can I duplicate this?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |