Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Saturday - June 02, 2012
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Shrubs
Title: Problems with non-native Eugenia in Scottsdale AZ
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have 5 eugenia topiaries in my courtyard in pots..I notice as the days here in Phoenix get hotter and dry (as usual) they are starting to look bad, even though they are under a shelter out of the direct sun..shall I bring them inside until it cools off in October? This is inconvenient as they will take a lot of space, but I really love them, and they were expensive to buy..thanksANSWER:
Eugenia myrtifolia is native to Australia and therefore out of Mr. Smarty Plants' jurisdiction. We recommend only plants native not only to North America but to the areas where they grow natively. We will look through Internet information to see if we can find out what growing conditions the plant needs. It could be soils, rainfall, amount of sunlight, excess heat, etc, so about all we can do is try to find resources for you to think about.
PlantCare.com Fruiting Myrtle (Eugenia) - Under "environment" this article says suitable only for a greenhouse.
Dave's Garden - lists only California and Florida as places where it grows
Denver Plants - under "temps" calls for normal indoor temps
Monrovia says it is often used as a hedge and can tolerate USDA Hardiness zones of 9 to 11. Maricopa County appears to be in USDA Hardiness Zones of 10a to 10b.
So, as you can see, we don't have a clue, because all these different websites say different things. Have you asked the supplier from which you bought it if they know anything about how or where it should be grown? Pictures
More Shrubs Questions
Rooting cuttings in water from Rifle CO
July 11, 2012 - Found russian sage lavender stems from cutting. Need to find out if I can root them in water?
I also have found rose cutting; wondering if I can put them in water to root?
I have a western chokecher...
view the full question and answer
Low growing native shrubs to go next to a rock pool deck
July 29, 2004 - I have a pool surrounded by a rock deck, & want to plant some low-growing shrubs next to the deck. However, I want to ensure the root system of the plant isn't invasive enough to crack the rock deck ...
view the full question and answer
Foundation plants unlikely to provide good shade for rattlesnakes in TX
August 28, 2011 - I would like to plant native grass around my new home in the country near Mason, TX. My concerns are the rattlesnakes that are common here, and if they could "hide" in the native grasses since they ...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen native shrubs for poor drainage area in Cedar Hill, TX
March 21, 2008 - Hi! I have one (big!) bed in on the front of my house. Due to the way the house/motorcourt is built, that area (when it rains as much as it did last year!) doesn't drain well. I now have to replac...
view the full question and answer
Tropical plants for a pool-side planter in Cape Coral FL
April 19, 2010 - I live in Southwest Florida and have a pool inside a cage with a pool planter built into the deck around part of the pool. What kind of tropical plants can I put in the planter that are not root inva...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
