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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Thursday - April 16, 2009
From: Punta Gorda, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Problems with non-native ixora in Punta Gorda, FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We are having problems with our Ixora plants. The leaves turn yellow, then fall down.ANSWER:
Ixora coccinea is native to tropical Asia, and therefore out of our range of expertise at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. We are dedicated to the care and propagation of plants native not only to North America but the the area in which they are being grown. We found a Floridata website, Ixora coccinea, which may be able to give you some help. We did notice that this plant does not do well in alkaline soil, and suffers from chlorosis in that kind of soil, which causes leaves to yellow.
More Non-Natives Questions
Failure to thrive of non-native closet plant
August 26, 2008 - I have a closet plant that is not doing well no matter what I do or where I put it. What is the best way to care for one of these beautiful plants?
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Low temperature non-native Bauhinia variegata can withstand in Florida
March 13, 2009 - I have a Bauhinia variegata,I reside in Florida. What is the temp it can withstand in winter? And if it is below freezing, what can be done to protect them from freezing?
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Kerrville Soil for Vegetables
May 03, 2012 - We are moving to our vacation home in Kerrville, TX and plan on putting in a vegetable garden on the sunny north side of our house. I'm assuming that your answer to the person inquiring about "soil...
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Trailing perennial plants for High Wycombe, England
April 19, 2008 - Hello Mr Smarty Plants,
I would like to know what trailing plants are also perennial, preferably flowering ones but that also look pretty when not in flower? My kitchen looks out onto a five foot h...
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Pruning of Grape Kool Aid Plant in California
August 03, 2008 - I have a Grape Kool Aid plant and was told it would grow to 6 or 7 feet tall, but it is well over that and I need to know if I can prune it and if so how?
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