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_20.gif)
Tuesday - April 16, 2013
From: Round Mountain, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Transplants, Trees
Title: Transplanting Eve's Necklace from Round Mountain TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We have dozens of small Eve's necklace plants coming up in our large yard. I would like to share them with my friends who aren't so lucky. Many years ago, I tried to transplant one, and it didn't take. It seems as if they are all connected underground and perhaps depend on each other. Any suggestions on how and when to try it again?ANSWER:
According to our webpage on Styphnolobium affine (Eve's necklace) should be propagated from seed.
"Propagation
Description: Sow scarified seed after the soil has warmed.
Seed Collection: Collect seeds when the pod begins to dry and the seeds turn red. Separate seeds from pod and store in bags or containers in a cool dry place. Soaking the hard pods in warm water will soften them and make seed removal easier.
Seed Treatment: Seeds must be filed or mechanically scarified with a knife.
Commercially Avail: yes"
Possibly the failure of your attempts at transplanting could be due to the wrong soil or failure to provide good drainage for the new plant. Note also these condition comments from the webpage:
"Conditions Comments: Eves necklace is so named because this tree blooms clustered pink flowers that mature into black, bead-like strings of seeds. The planting site must be well-drained or it will get chlorotic. It grows from seed to 6 ft. in 3 years. This plant is most attractive when grown alone, as it becomes spindly in competition from larger plants. The flowers and seeds ar poisonous."
We could find no further information on whether this plant had joined roots as some thicket-forming plants do. However, note that it is recommended that it be grown alone.
We suggest you read our Step-by-Step Guide on How to Plant a Tree. We would add transplanting a woody plant should be done in colder weather, November through January, if possible. Also, because this plant must have good drainage, add some decomposed granite or sand to the native soil and mix it in. Further addition of compost to the soil will not only assist in drainage but also make the nutrients in the soil more accessible to the new little rootlets.
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Is black olive (Bucida buchera) toxic to people or dogs?
June 02, 2009 - We have what we think is a black olive tree growing in our front yard, which I keep trimmed to about 4 feet high. A bird dropped the seedling in my garden, so I'm not quite sure it's a black olive,...
view the full question and answer
Problems with volunteer tree in Joshua TX
February 15, 2012 - I have a 'volunteer' tree which has been in our back yard for about 15 years. It has had the usual traumas, ie. lots of snow, ice, etc. but after last years drought, its bark is coming off and sev...
view the full question and answer
Growing live oaks from acorns
January 25, 2010 - What is the best way to grow Live Oaks from acorns?
view the full question and answer
Deadheading seedless desert willows for continued bloom in Phoenix AZ
May 31, 2010 - We planted two seedless desert willow trees this spring. Both have bloomed nicely but we now have many stems with the spent flowers still on the tree. Your database for this plant says to "Remove spe...
view the full question and answer
Allelopathy of American elms from Dallas
March 24, 2013 - Are American elms at all allelopathic?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |