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
Friday - June 19, 2009
From: New York, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Non-native Ginkgo biloba in New York
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
A female Ginkgo tree dropped its seeds. Now, I have seedlings all over the yard. I don't want more female Ginkgo trees. They create putrid Ginkgo seeds. However, I would like more male Ginkgo trees. How can I tell if the seedlings are male or female? Thank you for your answer.ANSWER:
What you have is a living fossil, one of the oldest trees still surviving to the present day. However, it is native to Asia, and therefore out of our range of expertise. At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center we are dedicated to the care and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plant is being grown. Here is an article from the wip.net, "South Asia's Oldest Tree Species, Ginkgo biloba, Clings to Life in Indian-administered Kashmir" by Afsaana Rashid that might give you some clues to your problem.More Non-Natives Questions
Why is non-native, invasive dandelion called a wildflower?
January 24, 2007 - Why is a dandelion a wildflower? {I read it in a book.}
view the full question and answer
Plant Identification from Honolulu HI
April 24, 2014 - We have a ground cover in our Honolulu garden that I have been told is Watermelon Plant. (Not the fruit). We would like more, but cannot find it or the proper name for it. Aprox. 6" round leaf. It...
view the full question and answer
Failure to bloom of lantanas in San Antonio
July 22, 2010 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
We have lantanas in our front yard. This summer the leaves have turned white and they die to a brown color all the while the leaves are "crispy". At the beginning of the season...
view the full question and answer
Alternatives to non-native heather (Calluna vulgaris)
April 27, 2007 - I live in Vernon, BC, Canada. I plan to put a heather plant in my garden, but my space is limited. I know that it will grow approx. 2 ft. high and that it likes well drained and acidic soil, but how...
view the full question and answer
Fertilizer for non-native Althea in West Monroe LA
July 12, 2010 - What type of fertilizer is best for Althea Bushes
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |