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)
Friday - July 23, 2010
From: Las Vegas, NV
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Proper deadheading of non-natives Arabian Jasmine and Crape myrtle from Las Vegas
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Advise please on proper deadheading of Arabian Jasmine, and of Crape Myrtle. They are both blooming great but I want to know once the petals fall should I deadhead and will it help them to bloom again, perhaps in the same season?ANSWER:
Jasminum sambac, Arabian Jasmine, is native to southwestern and southern Asia, and is hardy from USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. This Floridata website has some information on it, as well as a warning about invasiveness:
"The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council lists this species as a Category II exotic invasive. This indicates that it has increased in abundance or frequency but has not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become ranked Category I, if ecological damage is demonstrated. Arabian jasmine cannot be recommended for landscape use in Florida and caution should be exercised when considering this plant for use in similar frostfree climates."
The Arabian Jasmine is hardy in Zones 9 to 11, and the Floridata website above has information on pruning and culture.
While there is Malpighia glabra (wild crapemyrtle) which is native to South Texas, you very likely have Lagerstroemia indica, crape myrtle, native to temperate and tropical Asia. Because the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plant is being grown, we are not going to be able to help you very much.
We established that Las Vegas is in an area where the USDA Hardiness Zone can vary from Zones 8a to 9b. This article from Floridata will give you pruning, deadheading and culture information on Lagerstroemia indica, and we learned that it is hardy from Zones 7a to 9b, so it should be all right.
More Non-Natives Questions
Pruning of non-native Mimosa in Topeka KS
April 18, 2010 - Read the Mimosa answer with much interest - other websites are love and hate this tree - we love ours - had one before that was multiple trunk and bought one from local nursery that seems to be single...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native bi-color iris from Spring Branch TX
August 18, 2011 - Bi colored iris. I have four plants planted around our water feature last fall. Up until recently they all looked very healthy, yet not blooming. Several weeks ago I noticed that two of the plants ...
view the full question and answer
Care of desert willows
September 10, 2007 - We have three desert willows. Two are doing well, but the third, which was planted at the same time as the others, is about 1/3 the size of the other two, the foliage is thin, and the leaves have dry...
view the full question and answer
Should non-native Royal Empress tree be planted in Lawrence MA?
May 13, 2010 - I am researching the Royal Empress Tree because I want to plant one in my yard in Massachusetts. I wanted to know if the Royal Empress will have rapid reproduction and bring more Empress trees to the ...
view the full question and answer
Will a non-native smoke tree, Cotinus coggygria, be harmful in Utah
May 08, 2009 - Can one plant a smoke tree in Utah without causing and harm to the environment? I'm worried that this plant may be a species that could cause a problem since I believe it is not a native plant.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |