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 - October 12, 2008
From: Pflugerville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Texas frogfruit vs. non-native St. Augustine grass
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Can Texas frogfruit resist invasion by St. Augustine grass, or will I need to create a barrier?ANSWER:
St. Augustine grass is almost a textbook example of what invasive non-native plants can do. At least, it's not quite as bad as Bermudagrass, which spreads both by stolons and underground rhizomes. However, Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit) is often found growing as a "weed" in St. Augustine, and is pretty tough and self-sufficient. We don't know that a barrier is necessary, but we would certainly keep the St. Augustine pulled out when it approaches the Frogfruit. Once they intermingle, you will find it more difficult to pull out the St. Augustine without damaging the Frogfruit. If you don't mind their co-existing, be assured that they can, and don't worry about it.
More Non-Natives Questions
Damage to non-native Japanese maple
March 10, 2009 - I have a medium sized branch of a dwarf outdoor Japanese maple partially (about 70%) broken off. How can I fix it? What chemical/plant hormone/material can I use to initiate regrowth of the broken par...
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Removing invasive Dichelostemma firecracker plant from Austin
April 12, 2012 - We have dichelostemma firecracker plant & cannot kill it. We need help in getting rid of this plant. Spent another 3 hours digging up corms this afternoon. It is invading our backyard & want it kil...
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Problems in non- native weeping willow in Spokane WA
June 21, 2010 - My wife and I have a weeping willow tree that has done well for two years. This year some of the branches are loosing their leaves in late spring in Spokane, WA. I though it was from the wind but ha...
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Removal of non-native invasive Ligustrum japonica from Austin
February 14, 2012 - I bought a house that I am slowly turning into a native garden, but as a teacher, I have a really small budget. One entire border of my backyard (30 feet) was planted with evil Ligustrum japonica. I l...
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Non-native Cape Honeysuckle, Tecomaria capensis
March 13, 2006 - I am trying to find general information on the Cape Honeysuckle or "Tecomaria" bush/plant.
Is is related to the actual Honeysuckle Plant?
What is it's care, propogation, sun tolerance, water requ...
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