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.
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.
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Sunday - June 22, 2008
From: Cherry Hill, NJ
Region: Northeast
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Is crape myrtle deer resistant
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Is Crape Myrtle deer resistant?ANSWER:
First of all, Lagoertroemia indica (crape myrtle) is an introduced plant from Asia and is not a plant native to North America. Since what we are all about here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is "to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes", Mr. Smarty Plants hopes you will consider a native tree rather than crape myrtle. You can see a list of Recommended Species for New Jersey. This a list of "Commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in New Jersey". You can also find a list of native "Deer Resistant" plants.Now to answer you specific question, Rutgers University New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station's Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance says the crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is "seldom severely damaged".
More Deer Resistant Questions
Deer resistant vegetables
April 18, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Are there any vegetables that are deer resistant? Squash, Watermelon, Corn, Chilies?
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Sun tolerant, rabbit-resistant plants in Plano, TX
November 07, 2008 - I live in Plano, Texas and am trying to identify sun tolerant plants for my landscape that are also rabbit resistant. The rabbits have taken over and destroy pansies, marigolds, etc. I am looking fo...
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Deer-resistant plants for Maryland
August 23, 2008 - Hello- I have a acre that is mostly full-sun (and no shade on the house) and part shade (edge of the yard) and not much in between. It is also overrun with hungry deer! I am having a hard time finding...
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Evergreen Privacy Screen for Maryland
November 19, 2012 - I am looking for an evergreen that will suffice to be planted as a privacy screen between my property and my neighbors. Looking to plant a row at the property line.
The lot is shaded most of the d...
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Is Smooth Sumac deer resistant
September 01, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I noticed there was no deer resistant rating for smooth sumac in your plant data base. Aromatic sumac is rated as 'high'.
Do you have an opinion on deer resistance for smo...
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