Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
4 ratings

Sunday - April 04, 2010

From: Las Vegas, NV
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Non-native bougainvillea annual or perennial in Las Vegas?
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Are bouganvilleas annual or perianneal plants? What do you do w/them in the winter time. We live in Las Vegas NV

ANSWER:

The bougainvillea, a native to coastal Brazil, falls out of our range of expertise at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. We only deal with and recommend plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plant is being grown. From this website Plant-care.com Bougainvillea Care, you will learn that they will die if subjected to more than a light freeze, and do not do well inside. Las Vegas is in USDA Hardiness Zones 5b to 6a, which means your plants outdoor would be subjected to average annual minimum temperatures of -15 to -10 degrees F. 

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Problem with crapemyrtle shoots in Victoria, TX
May 13, 2009 - I have a problem with crepe myrtle shoots coming up in my flowerbed. I had to remove a large crepe myrtle tree (18" diameter stump) and digging out the stump was not possible. I killed the stump wi...
view the full question and answer

Many different species called
February 07, 2006 - I know from researching that Dusty Miller is drought tolerant. But, I tend to water too much when I do get irrigation water. Will it stand this? (clay soil, near a very young globe willow, southern ex...
view the full question and answer

Problems with non-native weeping willow
September 20, 2008 - My weeping willow has black holish cracks in it. It is a yearling. Any suggestions? ...
view the full question and answer

Planting onions in Michigan
July 30, 2009 - Hello, I live in Mi in zone 5. Can I plant green onions now (7/30/09)? And will they have enough time to have for an October-ish harvast? Thanks
view the full question and answer

Crape myrtle in Austin
August 01, 2012 - Please don't bother to answer my question about how to treat a crepe myrtle with sticky stuff falling from it. I just found the answer on your site. Good site, by the way.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.