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.
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Thursday - March 20, 2014
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Wildflower Center work on non-native, invasive Bastard Cabbage from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Still have cabbage weeds that infiltrated Austin awhile back. How did Wildflower Center resolve it?ANSWER:
Sadly, matters like invasive Rapistrum rugosum (Bastard Cabbage) seldom actually get "resolved" even by the stout-hearted gardeners at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. That doesn't mean they have given up nor that they are not continuing control measures.
From our How To Articles, please read Addressing Texas Invasive Plants.
For everyone concerned about these invasions, the word is there is no easy solution. This will take the attention, dedication and HARD WORK for all of us to even reduce the spread of this monster.
Lessons to take away:
If it is not native to your area, don't plant it.
If you have a seed "mix" not from a reputable native plant supplier, don't plant it.
If you see it growing, any size, anywhere, don't leave it there.
If anyone admires those yellow flowers on the hillside, tell them what it is.
And repeat Steps 1 through 4 above to anyone who asks. That's what we do.
More Non-Natives Questions
Pruning of overgrown non-native boxwood from Round Rock TX
February 19, 2011 - We have several large over-grown Japanese Boxwoods that we'd really like to trim down in height about 10 to 12 inches, however most of the middle and lower sections of the bushes are bare or very spa...
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Is cement leaching into flower beds in Colorado Springs?
May 16, 2009 - I have posed this question to a number of garden centers in our area around Colorado Springs--only to rec. a repeated--"Gee, I don't know." When we moved to our new home there was a rock concrete ...
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Why are there gnats in my houseplants?
July 22, 2009 - I have flying brown gnats in my house plants. Can you tell me why?
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Why will my Plumbago not bloom in Buies Creek NC?
June 15, 2009 - I purchased a plumbago about two weeks ago with w few old blooms. I pinched them off, and my plant has not bloomed since. I understand they bloom profusely, and have witnessed it myself. Why isn't...
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Growth of non-native bermudagrass in Snelville GA
July 16, 2011 - How do you grow Bermuda grass successfully in the state of Georgia? Techniques in fertilization, lawn cutting and general maintenance. Thank you.
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