Native Plants
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.
rate this answer
Monday - July 18, 2011
From: Bonifay, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Planting, Transplants, Trees
Title: Should I purchase wax myrtle plants as liners or pots
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I want to buy some wax myrtle over internet.Place has wax myrtle "liners" They look very thin. Will these bushes grow quickly or should I spend more $ for 1 gallon plants. Just need a hedge fairly quick. thanks a bunchANSWER:
Wax Myrtle Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle) is an evergreen shrub that the "Green Gurus" frequently recommend. It is a 6-12 ft. shrub that can reach up to 20 ft., and is described by Floridata as being a fast grower (about 2-3 feet per year). It can grow in full sun to partial shade, likes slightly acidic, moist, deep sands, loams, clay. It is a dioecious plant, having "male" (staminate) and "female" (pistilate) flowers on separate plants. Therefore, you will need both kind of plants to produce berries.
This USDA distribution map shows that it occurs naturally in Florida. This link to Aggie-horticulture has information about the name change from Myrica to Morella.
“Liners” vs gallon containers? One of the first things that your new plants need to get going quickly is a good root system. The plants in the pots are several months ahead of the “liners” in this regard. There is always that question about time and money. Do you spend time to save money, or do you spend money to save time? I would encourage you to take a look at our Suppliers Directory to find businesses that sell native plants in your area.
I’m going to direct you to three web sites that have advice about planting, watering, and avoiding transplant shock to get you ready to plant your new plants.
Tree planting
Transplant shock
Watering tips
From the Image Gallery
More Transplants Questions
Failure to bud out of nuttall oak in Albany GA
April 26, 2010 - We planted a nutall oak in the fall of 09. It seemed to fare well during the winter. It is now spring and all of our other trees are budding out. The limbs are flexible. Not breaking off easily like t...
view the full question and answer
Invasiveness of native Viola sororia
June 13, 2007 - I live in Warwick, RI and have a section of my backyard overgrown with common blue violets. My husband and I would like to relocate them to a more scenic location if possible. The advice the cooperat...
view the full question and answer
Plant for part sun in Nampa Idaho
May 20, 2010 - What could I plant in arid SW Idaho on the northwest side of my house along a border against the house? Most of the day this area is in shade, but at the hottest time of the day it gets a couple of h...
view the full question and answer
Transplant shock in Liatris spicata
May 25, 2008 - I bought a liatris spicata start a month ago, and transplanted it into my front yard (full sun, clay soil, moist due to all the rain recently).
The plant immediately wilted so I transplanted it in ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification and advice about moving it
March 10, 2010 - I have a plant (a thick stalk about 4 foot tall with yellow flowers on it) that blooms in the morning and the flowers fall off at night. I have searched for info on this plant and have come up short. ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |