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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - August 26, 2011
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Pruning, Shrubs
Title: Non-native Pride of Barbados from San Antonio
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have some very successful wildly blooming "Dwarf Pride of Barbados" plants growing in my xeriscape garden. Each year I cut them back to the ground. I have just purchased a new variety called "Caesalpinia pulcherrima Compton" which is a pink variety. It was shipped with one stem [almost tree like] and it is different in that it has thorns. I was wondering if it should be cut back annually like its cousin. Thanking you in advanceANSWER:
"Caesalpinia pulcherrima Compton" from Dave's Garden was about the only information we could obtain on this plant, as it is South American in origin. 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 plants are growing.
From Texas A&M Cooperative Extension, Bexar County, we found this article on Pride of Barbados. Perhaps they will know the answer to your question on the "cousin," so we suggest you contact the Bexar County Extension Office-Horticulture.
More Non-Natives Questions
Problems with non-native Indian hawthorn
April 18, 2009 - We have some Indian Hawthorns that were planted for us by a landscape company. The first year we got a little bit of bloom. Since then the shrubs don't bloom at all. They are in a flower bed up aga...
view the full question and answer
Non-native strawberry tree dying in Mt. View CA
August 01, 2010 - My strawberry tree has brown leaves and is dying, what can I do?
view the full question and answer
Fruit on Jasmines
March 13, 2013 - My jasmines have grown some small purple fruits and she is about to get her full bloom soon. Should I cut them off to help the plants out? What are they?
view the full question and answer
Non-native pomegranate failing to fruit from Highland Village TX
October 20, 2012 - Last spring I planted a pomegranate tree (type: Wonderful) which is supposed to produce edible fruit. It had 5 or 6 absolutely beautiful blooms, but each of them dropped off and no sign of fruit. Is...
view the full question and answer
Yellow bands around edges of leaves in Whitney TX
July 20, 2009 - How can you tell whether esperanzas are getting too much water or not enough - ours have a small yellow band around the edges of the leaves - crape myrtles - same question
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |