Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Sunday - April 15, 2012
From: Sydney, Australia
Region: Other
Topic: Non-Natives, Trees
Title: Irish Strawberry tree care from Sydney Australia
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Hi I have an Irish Strawberry tree - AKA Arbutis Enedo. I have had it for a couple of years now, I have it planted in the ground quite healthy soil, I feed it Dynamic lifter (chicken manuare/pellet fertilizer) everything around it is going perfectly fine & looked after in the same way/same soil, it has hardly grown a few cms from original size, yellow leaves here & there, thin stem no folours it is grafted from a common nursery(the nursery don't know much about it). Any tips will be greatly appreciated.ANSWER:
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the areas in which those plants grow naturally. Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree) is native to the Meditteranean region and western Europe. We do have a North American native of the genus Arbutus, Arbutus menziesii (Pacific madrone), the species is not the same. You can follow the link to our webpage on that plant, but that is about all the information we can offer you.
However, from Paghat's Garden, we found some more information on Arbutus unedo, strawberry tree. It is exciting to hear from Australia; we get questions from all over the world, which we enjoy but can seldom give them much help.
More Non-Natives Questions
Insects in non-native weeping willow
September 17, 2008 - My weeping willow is dropping small black insects. Thousands of 1/16" cover the ground etc. Insects stain a raspberry, purple color when smashed. Insects are very soft.Insects present about 3 weeks...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native Star jasmine
April 27, 2009 - My Jasmine leaves are turning red. I think it's a Star Jasmine as it get those pretty little white fragrant flowers that look like a star. What is causing this and is it something I should be conce...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native St. Augustine grass in Spring TX
July 09, 2009 - St. Augustine. It's July 6th, 3 weeks ago my grass was green and healthy, today I've got large patches (20' x 3') that are dying. I water my yard 10 mins / day in the morning (5:00 am). It's been...
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on fungal attack
October 12, 2005 - I have three plants that have been getting fungus on their soil and I've tried to get rid of it by scraping it off, watering it less and more sunlight. It's two coleus and a begonia. I don't know...
view the full question and answer
Distinguishing native Celastrus scandens from non-native C. Orbiculatus from Lexington MA
June 08, 2014 - Dear Mr. Plants,
I maintain a wildflower garden with the Lexington Field and Garden Club in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Every year, I pull up sprouts of Celastris orbiulatis. I want to plan...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |