Native Plants
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Plants for a moist, shady spot in central Texas July 08, 2016 I am looking for a plant that will grow in almost full shade with plenty of moisture along a fence. We are looking at putting down some flagstone with possibly some moss growing in between, but we don... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Lindheimer's Muhly Grass Seeds for Human Use? July 07, 2016 Does anyone know if Lindheimer's Muhly seeds were ever used as human food source? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Grass Groundcover for Georgia Hillside July 07, 2016 I am looking for a grass to cover a hillside area down to a lake. It is mostly sunny in the spring & summer, but has no moisture except any rain that falls. I am not interested in having to mow it all... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Cork Screw Rush doesn't spiral in Whitehall, PA. April 29, 2016 Why won't the stems on my cork screw rush plant twist and/or spiral? It's planted outside. It was twisting and spirally when I planted it. Growing outside the past 4 years but does not twist or curl l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Caring for a wildflower meadow in Austin, TX. March 22, 2016 We have a meadow full of wildflowers in the country, bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, etc. What can we do to promote continued growth and is there a certain time of year we should mow? Should we fe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How much shade will Thunder Turf (Habiturf) take? March 20, 2016 How much shade will Thunder Turf take? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Removing Center Stem From Desert Spoon (Sotol) in Phoenix March 11, 2016 I have a desert spoon. I hate the center stem. Can I remove the center stem without hurting the rest of the plant? And what is the best way to remove it? I looked for this answer in your questions bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ornamental grasses for North Carolina coastal region March 09, 2016 What ornamental grasses will grow in pure sand and withstand salt-laden winds in zones 8 a and 8 b? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ground covers for a shady spot in central Texas February 23, 2016 I reside in Austin, Texas and need advice on my xeriscaping project. Portions of my front yard have always been a challenge to get grass to grow, so I have xeriscaped that area with Fairland Pink gran... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Controlling KR Bluestem February 11, 2016 How can I control KR Bluestem in my 55 acre coastal bermuda hayfield? The field has a Farm Road along one side planted in KR, and now the hayfield is about 25 - 30% KR. Summer burn is fairly dangerous... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Will blue eyed grass grow under black walnut trees? January 18, 2016 Will blue eyed grass grow under black walnut trees? I know the Siberian Iris is tolerant but the scientific names are not the same yet everything I read indicates that blue eyed grass is not in the g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Erosion Control Shrubs and Groundcovers for Steep NY Wooded Slope November 28, 2015 I need to cover a couple of very steep slopes in upstate New York that are partially wooded and near a brook. The slopes are about 130 feet back from the brook. Someone estimated that there is a coupl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
What is blooming in NJ in Late November? November 27, 2015 I am a beekeeper in Edison, NJ. My bees are still bringing pollen even this late in the season (Thanksgiving). What plants or trees are still blooming? The color of the pollen is a pale yellow. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Competition between peony and bulbs November 06, 2015 I am planting 3 herbaceous peony bare roots 3 feet apart from each other. I am told it will take 3 years before I get blooms. In the meantime, can i safely plant springtime flowering bulbs in th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Ground cover for a Texas dog run November 02, 2015 What ground cover do you recommend for a residential dog run located under a pergola in high limestone soil at White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Problems with Mexican feathergrass October 24, 2015 I live in Austin. I've recently seen negative comments re: Mexican feathergrass. Is it native to this area? Is it becoming a problem? I have had it in my yard for years and never considered it a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Searching for seeds or plants of Spartina patens and Distichlis spicata October 13, 2015 My daughter is researching different grasses that help stop coastal erosion. Where can we get seeds or plant plugs for salt grass and salt meadow cord grass? We live near New Orleans Louisiana. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Does Calyptocarpus vialis (Horseherb) compete with turf grasses October 05, 2015 For my yard in central Austin Does horse herb, Calyptocarpus vialis help or damage the growth of native short grasses? The grasses include Curly Mesquite and Blue Gamma planted early in the spring or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Restoring riverfront from Blanco Flood October 04, 2015 We have cleared our riverfront from the Blanco Flood and I am now looking for help in replanting native trees/grass on our property. Our home was in the Flood of Hayes county Memorial Weekend. I am ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Rejuvenating old Lindheimer muhly clumps October 02, 2015 I've got two clumps of Lindheimer's muhly in full sun in the western (limestone) part of Austin. I'm thinking they've been there for the past 8 or so years. In the past two or three years, the g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Source for Habiturf sod in Central Texas October 02, 2015 Do you know any source for Habiturf sod in Central Texas? I contacted Blade Runner Farms and they replied that their Habiturf project was discontinued. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Mexican Feathergrass not Blooming in San Diego September 22, 2015 Hello, I planted seven Mexican Feathergrass plant about four months ago and only one of them has got the "feathers" at the tip of its grasses. The others are growing nice and tall as well, but not f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Low Groundcovers for Pennsylvania September 18, 2015 Hi Mr Smarty Plants, I'm looking for a low growing grass or ground cover for an area that is between my neighbors horse fence and mine it is about 2 feet wide 30 ft long. It is impossible to mow and ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Groundcover for Shade in Spicewood September 16, 2015 We live in Spicewood area in Austin, TX. Our front yard is yellow almost all summer, I was thinking of replacing lawn with a ground cover which can live on once a week sprinkler and no mowing. Also th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Native turf grass for Arlington, VA. September 10, 2015 Hi, could you please provide me with a recommendation for a native turf grass to plant in a large commercial area in Arlington, Virginia. Currently Kentucky 31 is being used, but we would like to iden... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need suggestions for plants for bioswales in Philadelphia, PA August 24, 2015 Hello, Are there a handful of species you would recommend for inclusion in bioswales throughout the US? I realize plants need to be selected based on climate, but I'm wondering if there are two or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Will Bermuda grass survive a drought-induced dormancy? August 12, 2015 If I stop watering a Bermuda grass lawn and let it go dormant, will it green up again when it rains again? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Erosion controlling plants for a shady Minnesota lakeside August 11, 2015 I live about 50 yards from a lake and there is a steep embankment. Recently someone decided to cut the trees off the embankment and now the dirt is eroding off the embankment as well as off my back ya... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Replacement for Love Grass in Michigan July 27, 2015 need a replacement for Love Grass at Shops of Willow Bend in Plano. The entire perimeter of this mall has Bermuda and Love Grass. The Elms and Oaks have grown so the Love Grass is mostly gone. Ther... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Lawn for a Shady & Wet area in Austin, TX July 22, 2015 We have a drainage area that has appeared in our back yard since the neighbors’ homes were built. When we get heavy rains (like this year) all their drainage flows into our back yard and forms a river... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Stopping erosion on bank of a Florida retention pond July 21, 2015 I live on a retention pond, which has had all vegetation killed by the lake doctor. As a result the bank has eroded so there is a drop off directly to the water rather than a sloping bank. What plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Hillside Erosion in Pace FL July 17, 2015 I have a hillside that slopes down about 10 feet to a spring fed pond. The pond drains into Escambia Bay. We have 2 dams with culverts to control the flow of water. Last year during a torrential ra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Drought-Tolerant Plants for Arizona July 16, 2015 Slowly turning south-facing lawn to drought-tolerant plantings with gravel paths. Mature Ponderosa and several blue spruce and junipers surround area. Grass area I'm converting with a few larger tr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Groundcover Planting in Shiro TX July 09, 2015 I have been collecting seeds from White Avens and Texas Sedge to use as ground covers. What is the optimal time to plant these seeds? We have been experiencing heavy rains in our area lately, so I am ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Dead, brown Habiturf lawn July 07, 2015 I planted Habiturf seeds last fall and had a good lawn all winter. Now the grass is brown and dead. Did it drown with all the rain we have had? If so, what should I do now? If not, what should I do... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Pollinator friendly lawn for Longmont CO July 06, 2015 I have a sunny, treeless, South-facing yard, with a slight South-facing slope in Boulder County, CO. It has one patch of buffalo grass, but is more then half some other type of grass. I would like t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Seep Muhly in limited sunlight. July 01, 2015 Can Seep Muhly withstand just 3 or 4 hours of direct sunlight in an urban setting? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Best grass for the shade in Austin, TX. July 01, 2015 What is the best grass seed for shade in Austin? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Need help with dying clumps of Cedar Sedge June 24, 2015 Carex planostachys. This grass was planted 2 years ago in light shade. It grew well until this year. Now some clumps are dying. Others in same area look fine. No insects can be detected. Why are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Evergreen perennials for a pond bank in Texas June 18, 2015 We want evergreen perennial plants for the banks of our small pond. The banks are eroding and we need to help keep them strong. We have ducks in the pond and lots of turtles. We would love something ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Poolside plants for East Texas June 18, 2015 What are the best plants, shrubs, ornamental trees, etc. for poolside planting in East Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
A blue-eyed grass with salmon-colored blooms? June 16, 2015 Has anyone heard of a blue-eyed grass variety that has salmon-colored blooms? I have a photo if needed. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When do Habiturf® grasses make seeds? June 16, 2015 I planted Habiturf seeds last year near Dripping Springs. It looks like the Buffalo grass has had seeds on it for a week or 2. How long does it need to remain on the live Buffalo Grass before it can b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Foundation Plants for Leander, TX June 05, 2015 Looking for suggestions for a narrow bed 2-3 ft. wide, 32 ft. long against my house. Full evening sun with morning shade. Considering Salvia greggii with some type of companion plants/grasses ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
When to harvest native grass seeds? May 29, 2015 We are trying to restore native grasses to a small pasture between Oak Hill and Dripping Springs. Last spring (2014), we seeded a mix of sideoats grama, little bluestem, dahl bluestem, and sprangleto... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Indian Paintbrush outnumbering our Bluebonnets this year. May 26, 2015 We noticed we have more Indian paintbrush than bluebonnets in our front yard this year. Our issue is we also have more spear grass than normal. Is there a way to control this grass without killing th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identity of grass-like plant with white or cream flowers in The Woodlands, TX? May 16, 2015 What is the name of the tall grass-like plant with small white or cream flowers that is planted in most esplanades in The Woodlands, TX.? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Controlling weeds in Habiturf lawn May 16, 2015 What's the best way to get rid of weeds in a Habiturf lawn? Habiturf seems like a great idea, but even with no extra water and no fertilizer, it seems the weeds take over - K.R. Bluestem and various... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Effect of heavy rains on Lindheimer Muhly May 04, 2015 It is April 2015, in San Antonio we've had very heavy rains recently. My Lindheimer muhly, which was looking beautiful, has now turned brown all over. Is this normal or is this a problem? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Drought-tolerant turf for Southern California April 23, 2015 Is it possible to grow Habiturf in Riverside, California, in the area of UC Riverside? The climate is similar to the desert areas or Arizona, just slightly cooler in the Summer. If not, is there a d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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