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
1 rating

Saturday - July 14, 2012

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Pests, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Something eating cannas in Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

What is eating my cannas?

ANSWER:

Here is a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer concerning cannas. Since they are non-native to North America and we have no personal experience with them, we have listed some websites that deal with canna pests. You will note that the last one lists slugs and snails as possible culprints. Last year, when we could not water much and the rain did not come, we didn't usually consider slugs and snails as a possible threat in Central Texas. However, this year it is different, and we have responded to several questions with instructions for looking for these somewhat disgusting animals.

Previous Mr. Smarty Plants question on snails and slugs

Canna News Canna Virus Disese

Gulf Breeze News Leafroller insect a major pest of canna lily

eHow Canna Lily Pests

do-it-yourself Protecting Canna Lily from Insects

 

More Pests Questions

Problems with non-native yellow lantana from Elgin TX
June 17, 2012 - Why do my yellow lantana buds turn brown and do not open fully? The sprinkler system does not spray onto the lantana.
view the full question and answer

Mosquito repellant plant?
January 18, 2009 - Is there such a thing as mosquito repellent plants? If so, what are they?
view the full question and answer

Keeping bugs out of a Texas home
June 29, 2015 - I'm slowly growing my gardens into natural habitats for birds, bees, butterflies and other little critters but would like to keep them outside of my house. Being in central Texas it is difficult to ...
view the full question and answer

Black walnut herbivory
June 13, 2005 - We moved to Texas just about a year ago and have loved it here. This past January we visited the Wildflower Center and obtained some black walnut seeds. Up until last night the tree was doing well p...
view the full question and answer

Pruning live oak in Austin
April 28, 2012 - Hi, We recently purchased a house in South Austin and there is a huge Live Oak Tree about 6 feet from the back door (so so so love it!) The only real issues I have so far are: 1. Needing to trim a ...
view the full question and answer

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