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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Sunday - June 16, 2013
From: San Jose , CA
Region: California
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Tree or shrub with non-invasive roots from San Jose CA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am looking for a small tree/ large shrub (non higher than a one story roof) with non-invasive roots to replace a 25 foot cedar. It is in a small area (5x 7) bordered to the side by a driveway, front walkway curves in front, and a concrete porch behind. It has an a full eastern exposure. Shade is not a criteria.ANSWER:
Tree roots don't mean to be invasive, but their roots have to have a certain amount of earth and exposure to air for their roots in order for them to survive. Obviously, you are concerned with all the impervious surfaces surrounding the planned area for the tree. Please see this previous Mr. Smarty Plants question on a similar subject. Please note these comments in particular:
"You can read the recommendations from Iowa State University Extension Service for Sidewalks and Trees which bases the distance trees should be planted near pavement on the mature height of the tree. Their recommendations are:
1. trees with a mature height of less than 30 feet, 3-4 feet from pavement,
2. trees with a mature height of 30 to 50 feet, 5-6 feet from pavement,
3. trees with a mature height of greater than 50 feet, at least 8 feet from pavement."
Since your plant will be surrounded on three sides by concrete, you will have to figure the distance in feet from each of the concrete surfaces - porch, walkway and driveway. Using our very poor math skills, that sounds like you need a space at least 8 to 10 feet in diameter for even the smallest tree. We don't know exactly how high your roof is, but we are thinking you would do best with a shrub which has an expected maximum height of 12 feet.
We will go to our Native Plant Database, scroll down to Combination search and search on California, "shrub" for Habit and 6 to 12 ft. for Height. If you wish to refine this list, you can make your own selections for height, leaf retention, bloom time, etc. Follow each plant link on our list to our webpage for that plant to learn its growing conditons, light requirements, and so forth. We will check the USDA Plant Profile Map on each plant we list to make sure it grows natively in or near Santa Clara County, in Central California. This should help ensure that the soil, climate and rainfall where you live will be compatible with the shrub you select.
Shrubs for Central California:
Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry) Map
Arctostaphylos pungens (Pointleaf manzanita) Map
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush) Map
Ceanothus velutinus (Snowbrush) Map
Cornus sericea (Redosier dogwood) Map
Fremontodendron californicum (California flannelbush) Map
Philadelphus lewisii (Lewis' mock orange) Map
Quercus douglasii (Blue oak) Map
If you have difficulty finding the California native plants you select, go to our National Suppliers Directory, put your town and state or just your zipcode in the "Enter Search Location" box and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed companies and consultants in your general area. All have contact information so you can inquire in advance whether they have what you are looking for.
From the Image Gallery
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Do you know if knife acacia is a suitable plant for North Austin?
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July 20, 2011 - I have (had) a lovely mountain laurel that I planted more than 25 years ago. Many times one or two branches would turn brown and I would trim them out. The shrub is about 10 feet tall and is many tr...
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