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.
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Monday - May 29, 2006
From: Ocala, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Height of non-native gardenias
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
How tall does a gardenia tree get?ANSWER:
I assume you mean the Common gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides). It is a native of China and Japan introduced to North America as an ornamental. Its maximum height is 5-6 feet. It has a dwarf cultivar that reaches only 2-3 feet. There are also African Gardenia trees such as Gardenia thunbergia that reaches 16 feet and Gardenia volkensii, 26 feet. Hawaii has an endangered Gardenia (Gardenia brighamii), 20 feet, as well as several other species of Gardenia. In fact, there are some 250 species of Gardenia from Africa, Asia, Australasia and Oceania. There are no North American native Gardenias.More Non-Natives Questions
Non-native weeping willow losing leaves
June 03, 2008 - We have a willow tree (weeping), which sprung up naturally about 12 years ago. It has done very well until this summer. After its bloom in late March, it is losing its leaves again..turning yellow and...
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How to tell the difference between native and non-native thistles
March 13, 2013 - It's thistle time already. There are many plants in the aster family with thistle in their common name. Are "real" thistles only those in the genus Cirsium, or are there others as well? We are tryi...
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Identity of mystery plant in non-native commercial forage mix
December 17, 2013 - Dear Smart One,
I use a commercially prepared, fortified, chopped forage based on a mix of orchard and Timothy grasses. The bags are shipped in from out of State. However, I have been finding short s...
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Information about non-native tung tree
November 20, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a tree growing in my yard in North Austin which I can't identify. I have been told it is a 'tong' or 'tung' tree but can't find it in any reference books. It is de...
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Problems with non-native Maytens tree in Saratoga, CA
August 05, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
My friend's Mayten tree (green spray)leaves are yellowing and we don't know if it is under-watered (surrounded by grass and fed with a time sprinkler for 20 min. maybe 2 or ...
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