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.

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Wednesday - June 26, 2013

From: SAN ANTONIO, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Seeds and Seeding, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Standing Cypress Plants in San Antonio, TX
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I purchased seeds for standing cypress 2 years ago and this spring they look beautiful. What is the best way to harvest the seeds? Also, will the current plants come back next spring or will I have to wait another 2 years for the seed from this spring to bloom?

ANSWER:

Standing Cypress Ipomopsis rubra (Standing cypress) is a beautiful, showy plant that attracts both humming birds and butterflies. You’ve already experienced the fact that it is a biennial, meaning that it grows vegetatively for the first year and blooms during the second year. Your current plants will probably follow the same scenatio. It flowers in May June and July. Let the seed completely mature on the plant before removing in order to plant in the Fall. Planting seeds each Fall in consecutive years will help ensure that you will have Standing Cypress in bloom each spring.

From the Image Gallery

Standing cypress
Ipomopsis rubra

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