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_00.gif)
Wednesday - May 12, 2010
From: Branchburg, NJ
Region: Northeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: A non-native Japanese Maple for Branchburg NJ
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am landscaping around my house and am looking for a tree that wont eventually grow too large. I thought maybe a bloodgood Japanese maple. Any suggestions would helpANSWER:
Acer palmatum, Japanese maple, is non-native to North America, and therefore does not appear in our Native Plant Database. However, here is an article from Paghat's Garden on Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood,' that has some information you can use.
Since we would prefer you plant trees native not only to North America but to the area in Somerset County in central New Jersey, we will look in our database for trees suitable to USDA Hardiness Zone 6b that will not grow too large.
Small Trees Native to Somerset County, NJ:
Amelanchier canadensis (Canadian serviceberry) - 4 to 20 ft. tall, blooms white April and May, sun, part shade or shade
Betula populifolia (gray birch) - 35 to 50 ft., sun, part shade or shade
Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) - 15 to 30 ft., part shade or shade
Ilex opaca (American holly) - 25 ft., evergreen, sun, part shade or shade
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Non-Natives Questions
Japanese beetles in Port Monmouth, NJ
April 08, 2009 - I have searched your web-site in the hopes of not repeating or bothering you with a question not in your field. I am hoping you can help me. I live in Port Monmouth, New Jersey. Last year many of my ...
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on Pittosporum
August 05, 2005 - Need to know if "PITTOSPORUM" (TOBIRA VARIEGATA) will grow in my area of SE OK. I have purchased two of them and the nursery said that they would do great. Just needed an extra opinion.
Than...
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on Kokias
January 27, 2005 - I am searching for seeds of different Kokias (Kokia cookei, K. drynariodes and K. kauaiensis) and Thespesias (Thespesia grandiflora, T. thespesioides, T. nerifolia and T. popul...
view the full question and answer
Information on non-native Erythrinia crista-galli
April 30, 2008 - I am trying to find out some more information on a plant called firemen caps.. How to grow and sun or shade or both..
view the full question and answer
Root growth on non-native Pittisporum Tobira from San Francisco
October 29, 2011 - How do the roots grow and spread for the Pittosporum Tobira shrub? I have one that is about 20 feet tall and wonder how to care for it? Do you have a picture of how the roots grow?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |