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.
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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.
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Tuesday - June 09, 2009
From: Meridian, ID
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Problem with non-native Chocolate Silk Tree, Albizia julibrissin
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
How do we get our Chocolate Silk Tree that once had redish brown leaves from now green to the original color? Thank You.ANSWER:
The expertise and focus of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is with plants native to North America. Summer Chocolate Silk tree is a cultivar of Albizia julibrissin (silk tree). The native distribution of this tree is from Iran to Japan. Not only is it a non-native and, thus, not really in our purview, but it is also considered invasive. Mr. Smarty Plants suggests you go to UBC Botanical Garden Forums or iVillage GardenWeb forums where you can post your question and might be able to find the answer.
More Non-Natives Questions
Possibility of replacing Bermudagrass with native grasses and wildflowers
November 24, 2008 - Are there any native grasses and wildflowers that can compete with bermuda grass to make a nativ-y wild area without removing the bermuda?
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Wound from non-native date palm thorn Naples FL
November 12, 2012 - Was trimming my pygmy date palm when a frond fell and a thorn pierced my rubber gloves and stuck me in the web of skin between my thumb and forefinger. Did not see a broken thorn but area where struc...
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Distinguishing native Celastrus scandens from non-native C. Orbiculatus from Lexington MA
June 08, 2014 - Dear Mr. Plants,
I maintain a wildflower garden with the Lexington Field and Garden Club in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Every year, I pull up sprouts of Celastris orbiulatis. I want to plan...
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Lists of native plants in Rome, Italy area
November 27, 2005 - Do you know anywhere that I can find a list of native plants in Italy, especially in the Rome area.
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Deterioration of non-native weeping willows in Alabama
May 19, 2008 - I have a small lake behind my house. 8 years ago we planted two nice weeping willow trees, one on each corner of our yard down toward the lake. One started looking bad last year and we cut all the de...
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