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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Monday - June 22, 2009
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Non-native. Why are my potted Royal Empress trees dying?
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I have purchased several Royal Empress trees over the past two years. Why won't they grow? Some sprouted leaves and then died while in the pots I planted them in. While others, that are 2 years old won't grow more than a foot the whole year. Help?!*ANSWER:
We know this is going to seem like a strange answer, but count yourself blessed. Royal Empress tree, Paulownia tomentosa has far more bad habits than it has endearing attributes. Above all, we think you should remove your Royal Empress trees and plant something less likely to cause you problems in the future. Several previous questions and answers to Ask Mr. Smarty Plants deal with the consequences of growing this invasive species:
Invasive, non-native Paulownia
Information about Invasive Paulownia Tree
Dead-appearing Royal Paulownia trees in Manteno, IL
Fast growing, possibly invasive trees for South Carolina
If, after reading of the horrors of owning one of these trees you still want one, you might contact your county's Cooperative Extension Service agent for advice. Growing trees in pots is tricky, especially in Colorado where the roots are very prone to freezing. Perhaps that is the issue with your trees.
More Non-Natives Questions
Non-native acacias for Washington State
January 03, 2006 - Hello! I have been unable to find any sources for the seed of Prairie Acacia, Acacia angustissima var hirta. Var angustissima, from tropical America, is in cultivation, but I think it is tender to col...
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Rust spots on non-native red tip photinia
July 10, 2008 - I live in Oklahoma and my red tips have rust spots on leaves and some plants are losing leaves. This is a clay soil; can you give me any info. on how to solve this problem?
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Problems with Texas Ash and non-native Bradford Pear in Hutto TX
January 27, 2011 - We have planted two trees in our back yard. The first one(a Bradford Pear) died and the second one (a Texas ash) doesn't look like it's doing very well. Our back yard is mostly black clay about 1 f...
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Problems with non-native nectarine in Gilbertsville PA
November 20, 2009 - I live in southeastern Pennsylvania. I have a mature nectarine tree maybe 14 years old. It has a greenish grey spotting on the trunk and branches, the fruit always turns into the brown mummies and f...
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Problem With Vegetable Garden Soil
June 09, 2013 - We live in Liberty Hill on 25 acres and we are working to restore native grasses and plants. We are ardent supporters of the Wildflower center. I say this because my question is not "typical" of wh...
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