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 14, 2009
From: Lawton, OK
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Planting distance for non-native crepe myrtles in Lawton OK
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We just bought Tonto Crepe Myrtle trees. I was just curious how far away from the house we should plant them.ANSWER:
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to the care and propagation of plants native only to North America and to the area in which they are being grown. Lagerstroemia indica (crepe myrtle) is a native of temperate and tropical Asia and therefore falls out of our range of expertise. The "Tonto" is a trade name assigned to some cultivar of the crepe myrtle. This Floridata website Lagerstroemia indica can provide you with some information, in addition to this one from the USDA Forest Service.
More Non-Natives Questions
Difference between invasive Chinese and Japanese wisterias and native wisteria
September 12, 2014 - Dear Mr or Ms Smarty Plants,
Is there any way I can tell for sure if my wisteria is native? I bought it at a place when it was in bloom that sold a lot of native plants. I Would like to know for sure...
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Care of non-native Easter lily, Lilium longiflorum
June 03, 2006 - I have a white lily that is in a pot and has already bloomed four flowers. will it bloom again? Can I replant this outside right now or what should I do with it?
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Non-native pomegranate in Albuquerque
September 07, 2009 - I don't know if they are now considered native or not but I am interested in planting Principia or Pomegranates in Albuquerque, windy and a mile high. Do I have a chance?
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Identifying problem with non-native plumbagos in San Antonio
November 21, 2009 - Barbara Medford answered my question on plumbagos..we have the ones that grow crazy in TX (not sure which species, but w/ the bright blue/purple blooms..). I have pictures and wasn't sure where to se...
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Care of non-native Betula pendula 'Youngii' (Young's Weeping Birch)
June 04, 2009 - We planted a Young's Weeping Birch on the side of our house here in NJ a few weeks ago and it seems to be thriving. When we purchased Fred (which is what we've named our youngster), he was in a pot ...
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