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
Thursday - March 17, 2016
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pollinators, Shrubs
Title: Identification of evergreen bush with red berries
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am a beekeeper and today I took some pictures of a bush about 8 ft. tall in my neighbors yard. My bees are all over the tiny white flowers. It appears to be an evergreen bush because it has foliage all year but it has small red berries all over it. I took some pictures but don't know how to submit them to you for proper identification. I thought it might be bear berry but I think it is too tall a bush to be that. If you give me an email address I can attach the photos from my smartphone. Sincerely, Cynthia SchiotisANSWER:
This sounds as if this could be the native Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon ) that is blooming this time of year and probably still has many of its red berries from last year. Insects do like visiting its flowers. Please check the photos below.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Beauty Berry Without Berries.
October 08, 2014 - I have a beautyberry that has no berries. I have some 3 year old bushes that are not producing berries. They are in semi-shade and I fertilize them. The bushes are green and growing but no berries....
view the full question and answer
Large-scale container garden for New York City
August 17, 2013 - I am a community volunteer in NYC who is trying to help a non-profit set up two large container gardens (about 3 feet high by 4 feet long by 2 or so feet wide). The problem is that they want natives,...
view the full question and answer
Deep Rooted Large Shrub or Small Tree for Driveway Strip
August 21, 2014 - I am in eastern Massachusetts. My condominium Grounds Committee is searching for a small tree suitable to plant in narrow (4'-5') beds which divide two driveways. Can you suggest something whose roo...
view the full question and answer
Fruit bearing trees and shrubs for wildlife in NY
May 05, 2010 - What are the best fruit bearing trees and berry bushes to grow in Oneonta New York. We are working on a project for the Oneonta Job Corps that is a green initiative. When we buy the fruit bearing tr...
view the full question and answer
Plantings for beneath a red oak in Lubbock TX
February 23, 2012 - What would you recommend to plant in a two tiered raised bed facing west, totally blocked from the east, thus receiving only the afternoon sun? A 21 year old red oak sits in the middle of the upper ra...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |