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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Monday - April 26, 2010
From: Canton, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Pruning non-native razzmatazz rose from Canton MI
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have 5 "hardy" rosebushes called "Razzamatazz" which are about 3 years old. I don't know how to prune them properly. I do cut the dead bloom back just before the "leaf of 5", which seems to work well. Overall though, I don't know how to prune them throughout the blooming season & into the fall. Some of the main shoots seem to get very leggy. How do I prepare my rosebushes for the spring and the fall/winter season?ANSWER:
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the use, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plants are being grown. There are very few roses native to North America, and they are all considered "wild" roses. The overwhelming majority of roses in the commercial trade are roses which have been hybridized many times over and all of which have their ancient origins in China. We have gardened with roses in Texas, and about our only rule was to prune them on Valentine's Day. But, by then, they were already threatening to bloom, and some had stayed green virtually all winter. Since you probably have a whole different kind of climate in Michigan, we found some websites that will help you more than we can:
HelpMeFind.com Razzmatazz rose
Suite 101.com How to Care for Rose Bushes in Cold Climates
About.com: Gardening How and When to Prune Roses
More Non-Natives Questions
Conflict between non-native and invasive St. Augustine and Bermuda grasses
July 21, 2008 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
My neighbor and I have nice front lawns but his is St. Augustine and mine is Bermuda. Between our houses the two lawns meet and it is a constant battle to keep his St. Augustine...
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Houseplant identification
October 15, 2014 - Had a houseplant with leaves that were green on the top and purplish on the bottom. The leaves were velvety to the touch. Would like to know what it was.
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Trimming non-native sago from Fresno CA
September 10, 2012 - I have a sago plant, fronds are hanging over into street, can the fronds themselves be trimmed back without removing the whole frond?
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Identity of a plant at UGA Trial Gardens 15 years ago
August 14, 2012 - Looking to identify a plant that was in UGA trial gardens about 15 years ago, large plant with purple flowers, fuzzy leaves like a lambs ear. Thought it started with a Thiobana or something like that
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Problems with non-native Carrotwood tree in Toluca Lake CA
June 25, 2009 - My Carrotwood tree leaves are turning yellow and curling down, Why? Also due to a bad trim, the outer limbs are dying. Can you tell me what is wrong? It is an old tree and I would like to save it!
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