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.
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.
rate this answer
Thursday - June 20, 2013
From: Comfort, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Pests, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Insects attacking Gregg's Blue Mistflower from Comfort TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have a beautiful stand of Gregg's Blue Mist flower that have been attacked by an unknown insect. The new growth is curled and stunted and it is not flowering. I'm not alone..I've seen the Gregg's Mist at the Wildflower Center and fellow gardeners here in the Hill Country having the same problem. Help! What is the culprit and how do we deal with it?ANSWER:
According to this USDA Plant Profile Map Conoclinium greggii (Gregg's mistflower) only grows natively in Hudspeth County in far west Texas. That doesn't mean it won't grow in Kendall County or Central Texas where the Wildflower Center is, of course it does grow both places. But it could indicate some soil or rainfall problem; insects will often attack a plant weakened by environmental problems. So, first, let's look at the environment this plant prefers:
"Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Gravelly, calcareous soils."
Here is a previous Mr. Smarty Plants question, also from Central Texas, that addresses the same question. In some of our research, we saw suggestions that this plant might do better in part shade in the hot afternoon, and also that it might need to be watered twice a week and required very good drainage.
From the Image Gallery
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Effect of unusual wet weather on desert willows
July 23, 2007 - I live in North Central Texas and have 3 beautiful Desert willow trees that are usually in full bloom. I've kept them pruned to form a nice full tree shape but now they are losing leaves and looking ...
view the full question and answer
Problems with Cedar Elm in Austin, TX.
August 04, 2012 - Our Cedar Elm has yellowing very dry leaves and something is eating the topmost leaves leaving holes and obviously chewed off leaf segments. Could this be two different things? Aphids and bacteria or ...
view the full question and answer
Small oak tree with powdery mildew in San Antonio, TX.
May 09, 2012 - I have a small oak tree with powdery mildew. Is there anything I can do about? Will it kill the tree?
view the full question and answer
Young Bur Oak not Flourishing in Texas
November 06, 2014 - We have a bur oak in our SW Travis County lawn in Texas, planted about 3 years ago as a 6-7' tree. It is now about 12' but has not "flourished". It has put out virtually no horizontal branches, an...
view the full question and answer
Mountain Laurel suffering from Spring freeze
May 12, 2015 - I have a 4 1/2 ft Texas Mountain Laurel shrub in current location for several years. A hard freeze this spring killed every leaf on the tree, but the stems remained green. My other smaller Mt. Laure...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |