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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Thursday - November 17, 2011
From: Roanoke, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Planting
Title: When to plant non-native red-tip photinia
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
When do you plant the Red-Tip Photinia Flowering Shrubs in Roanoke VA?ANSWER:
Photinia x fraseri (Red-tip photinia) is a hybrid cross of two non-native Asian species—Photinia serratifolia from China and Photinia glabra from Japan. It is considered invasive in Texas, but not in Virginia. Since our expertise and focus here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are with plants native to North America, we aren't really the source you should be asking about planting red-tip photinia. The Roanoke Virginia Cooperative Extension office should be able to tell you; in fact, you can ask your question on their Ask an Expert – Master Gardeners feature.
Please visit Ask Mr. Smarty Plants again with questions about North American native plants.
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November 21, 2007 - What is the best way to get rid of King Ranch Grass (an invasive plant) on my half acre property? I felt like mowing just encouraged more seed heads to pop up.
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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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December 31, 2011 - My problem is chickweed. I have found considerable information on how to eliminate the chickweed. My question is after following a suggested elimination process: How and when do I reseed with grass?...
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July 01, 2010 - I am starting my back yard, we want to plant some sod grass and shade trees. We were doing some research and came across the Paulownia and the Royal Empress tree. I like them since they grow very fast...
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