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_30.gif)
Wednesday - October 17, 2012
From: Kyle, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives
Title: Removing Creeping Fig Suckers
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Help Mr Smarty Plants, I am helping a neighbor remove a creeping fig from her property and want to know if there is any product that will soften, emulsify or remove the remaining sucker roots on the hardy plank and trim. Thanks!ANSWER:
Technically, Mr Smarty Plants wants nothing to do with the non-native, invasive Ficus pumila. At the same time since you are trying to get rid of it, we’d love to present a solution. Unfortunately, Mr Smarty Plants tried a few different angles of research and didn’t find very much to help you and your neighbor. Creeping Fig is known for its solid sucker attachments and there isn’t much more than elbow grease available to remove them.
Here are some previous Mr. Smarty Plants offerings on the topic of Creeping Fig:
Climbing vines non-damaging to walls in Round Rock, TX
Vine for stucco wall in St. Petersburg FL
Non-native creeping fig and non-native nutgrass in Carmichael CA
Mr Smarty Plants did look farther afield on the Internet and found a number of articles that were reasonably consistent in their advice. This one, from eHow, recommends letting the vines dry, then a combination of scraping, dampening and brushing. Although we don’t like the herbicide line, this is one vine where it’s use might be justified! There is a similar article about removing the suckers from brick. More aggressive techniques can be used in this case as the brick can take it. One article Mr Smarty Plants saw even recommended flaming the residuals off of brick! While I don't recommend that, you may want to experiment with a scrap piece of hardy plank [or a hidden area] to see just how agressive you can get!
In the meantime, here are some pictures of much more appropriate vines!
From the Image Gallery
More Non-Natives Questions
Wrapping a newly planted non-native Japanese maple from Fraser MI
October 01, 2013 - Does a newly planted Japanese maple need to be wrapped in burlap for the cold and snowy winter of Macomb County, Michigan?
view the full question and answer
Dwarf evergreen heath plant from Norcross GA
February 01, 2010 - I was reading a book that mentioned a "dwarf evergreen heath plant and wondered if such a plant exist. It is suppose to have leathery leave blooms with white flowers that produce red berries used fo...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native corkscrew willow in Homerville GA
May 25, 2009 - I have a corkscrew willow tree and it the branches are turning dark and dying. What could be the problem?
view the full question and answer
Black fungus on non-native ixora from Palm Beach Gardens FL
January 29, 2011 - We have 7-8 ixora plants that are side by side and all have developed a black fungus or substance on them. The substance is not only on the plant, but has spread to the wall they are adjacent to. Ca...
view the full question and answer
Native and non-native Wandering Jew and Four o Clocks
October 10, 2005 - I am looking for information on 2 separate plants in my yard. The names that people have given me on what they are is as follows:
Wondering Jew
Four O'Clock
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |