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
Wednesday - July 11, 2012
From: Alloway, NJ
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Pests, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Dealing with aphids on milkweed plants in Alloway, NJ.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I planted milk weed for the Monarch butterfly. Every year it gets orange aphids that seem to suck out the juices and eventually kill the plant sooner than I like.ANSWER:
The pest that you are dealing with is known as the Oleander Aphid (and also the Milkweed Aphid), Aphis nerii .
I will provide you with three links that can help make you an expert on on this little nuisance
University of Florida IFAS Extension; a thorough description of the insect including control measures and photos.
gardenweb.com/forums: a forum discussion by people who are trying to grow milkweed in order to raise Monarch butterflies.
mymonarchguide.com : an interesting website with great photos for people who are interested in raising Monarch butterlies.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Small, flowering, evergreen plants for hillside in Austin.
October 27, 2007 - I have a steep, dry hillside measuring approximately 4 feet high by six feet wide. I want to plant low growing, evergreen, flowering plants across the bed that will flower as long as possible, and thr...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of endangered plant Texas trailing phlox from Carrollton TX
December 26, 2013 - 1. How many seeds does the Texas trailing phlox produce per season?
2. Can the seeds be taken from a living plant without hurting it?
Thank You!
view the full question and answer
Looking for native plants for a rain garden in Arlington, TX.
March 12, 2012 - I am looking for native Texas plants that would do well in rain gardens. Do you have any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Seed for Kosteletzkya virginica, salt marsh mallow
January 13, 2009 - I have a nursery in North Carolina. We are looking for a reliable seed source for kosteletzkya virginica salt marsh mallow. We are www.campbellfamilynursery.com
view the full question and answer
Blackfoot daisy turning brown in Round Rock, TX
September 30, 2009 - A few days ago, our blackfoot daisy was doing wonderfully. Then we got heavy rains and suddenly the plant is sere and brown. Did the too wet weather do this, and will it come back next year?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |