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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
rate this answer
Saturday - March 05, 2016
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Getting rid of Mexican Petunia in Chorpus Christi, TX
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
What is the best way to get rid of unwanted Mexican Petunia that keeps spreading to unwanted areas of my flower beds?ANSWER:
Mexican Petunia is known as Ruellia tweediana or Ruellia simplex or Ruellia brittonia, and is commonly used as an ornamental. Some gardeners learn too late that it is a very invasive plant.
This link to the University of Florida gives a comprehensive look at the taxonomy, as well as its biology, and measures to control its growth.
HGTV offers some advice about dealing with this plant.
This previously answered Smarty Plants question also has suggestions for solving your problem.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Plants for a Narrow, Dry, Shaded Site in Georgia
April 03, 2014 - I am writing from Valdosta, GA. Could you please suggest three perennial shrubs and/or plants that flower at different times of the spring and summer? Also ones that can be planted in a 2 ft. wide s...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for flowers in rocky area in Ohio
March 07, 2008 - We have just built 4 raised beds on a slope in our backyard on Scioto River. The site is an old quarry so rocky soil below our raised beds & gets full sun majority of day from about 11am-7pm summer ti...
view the full question and answer
Perennial blooming plants for Ashland MO
April 02, 2010 - I am beginning to create a flower bed in front of my house, I do not have a green thumb so I want to know what plants would come back yearly and I can plant now in Mid Missouri?
view the full question and answer
Plant ID from Foster RI
April 05, 2012 - I have a weed flowering plant in bloom in a moist semi-shaded area. I would like to send a photo but I do not know how to upload.
view the full question and answer
Ducks and geese resistant plants for a pond in PA.
July 08, 2013 - We have a pond in all shade and we have ducks and geese. We would like to plant something in the space between the walkway and the pond to add color, but they have eaten everything we've tried- fern...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |