Native Plants
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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.
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Thursday - November 17, 2011
From: Roanoke, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Planting
Title: When to plant non-native red-tip photinia
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
When do you plant the Red-Tip Photinia Flowering Shrubs in Roanoke VA?ANSWER:
Photinia x fraseri (Red-tip photinia) is a hybrid cross of two non-native Asian species—Photinia serratifolia from China and Photinia glabra from Japan. It is considered invasive in Texas, but not in Virginia. Since our expertise and focus here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are with plants native to North America, we aren't really the source you should be asking about planting red-tip photinia. The Roanoke Virginia Cooperative Extension office should be able to tell you; in fact, you can ask your question on their Ask an Expert – Master Gardeners feature.
Please visit Ask Mr. Smarty Plants again with questions about North American native plants.
More Non-Natives Questions
Thorns on non-native orange trees in Greenwell Springs, LA
April 26, 2009 - Navel orange tree has thorns, why is this?
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Changing color of crape myrtle blooms
July 08, 2008 - I have 5 well established crape myrtle trees whose blooms are a very light lavender/pink color. I would like to know if there is any way to deepen or change the color of the blooms. I would prefer a m...
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Non-native bamboo for a privacy fence in Smithville, TX
February 16, 2010 - I am considering planting bamboo along my privacy fence inside my back yard. I like the informality of it and durability. Is it safe for children and pets?
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Winter care for non-native ice plant in Virginia
August 15, 2008 - I have an ice plant in my garden and it is doing very well. What would be the care for winter. Ground seldom freezes, temperatures mostly 20 but can get in single digit occasionally. Very little snow ...
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Need suggestions for a privacy screen besides Murray Cypress.
October 18, 2011 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I live in NE TX, about an hour east of Dallas on I-20. I hear interstate traffic behind my house, and have a busy street on its left side, and a school adjoining in back. I thi...
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