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.

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792 Results: 10 25 50 100 per page

topic	question
Soils Watering Grasses or Grass-like	Nassella tenuissima for Woodland Hills CA June 30, 2013 Good afternoon, I wanted to purchase some already grown Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) and was wondering how often and for how long I would need to water said grass on a scheduled sprinkl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Drought Tolerant Privacy Screening Grasses or Grass-like	Tall native grasses for privacy in Central Texas June 29, 2013 Hi- I am looking for a grass that will grow tall and be thick for privacy. I live here in Austin east of 35. Obviously something draught tolerant would be great! Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Propagation Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like	Illinois native grasses for shade June 27, 2013 Hello, my grass has died in a very shady area (standard buffalo grass), and I took this as an opportunity to plant some native grass varieties. I originally thought of buffalo grass, but learned that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Use of Turffalo in Possum Kingdom TX June 27, 2013 Hello, we will be building a retirement home in the hillside area of Possum Kingdom Lake which currently has cactus, cedar, and some live oaks. Our intention is to keep most of the 8 acres natural wi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	Groundcovers over roots in Roeland Park KS June 18, 2013 Large Hackberry tree (aprox 50+years) roots are popping up above ground making mowing under/around it impossible. Is there a plant, ground cover, something I can plant, or cover the roots with that w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Brown blade tips on Habiturf from Austin June 18, 2013 After carefully following all the directions, II recently planted Habiturf and it's growing well. After the first mowing, however, we discovered the top half of the blades turned brown. We have a pus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Diseases and Disorders Grasses or Grass-like Trees	Brown rings on grass under live oaks in Austin June 13, 2013 There are brown rings in the grass at the dripline on several Live Oak trees in our neighborhood. What causes this? The trees appear healthy. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Plant Identification Pests Grasses or Grass-like	What's invading my bermuda grass? June 11, 2013 Our grass is being totally overrun by this weed.(I don't know what the name is identify it by the description. It is in Bermuda grass and the only way to describe the weed is to say it looks like big... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Wildflowers	Plants for a Shady Woodland in MA June 09, 2013 Hello, I am looking for natives to plant in full shade or part shade. My house is in the mountain woodland area of Mt. Washington, MA. I am looking for grasses, flowers and shrubs. Also I am looking f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Erosion Control for a NC Clay Slope June 06, 2013 Hi, We have a large slope on the road edge of our property that has been gradually eroding with spring rains (NC red clay). We would really like to plant something for erosion control but the bank is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Replacement for non-native maiden grasses from Fredericksburg TX May 25, 2013 I am trying to replace some maiden grasses that died during the drought. I want an evergreen grass or something soft looking to replace them. I want something that is native and 5 to 6 feet tall to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	Non-native ligustrum in non-native fescue in Medina TX May 22, 2013 Is there an effective way to kill baby ligustrums coming up in my fescue yard without harming the grass? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Plant Identification Grasses or Grass-like	Identification of red-topped grass blooming in Comal County May 21, 2013 I live in Comal County and right now (mid May) there is a beautiful, red topped grass growing along the side of country roads. It is maybe 1 foot tall, and waves in the breeze. Do you know what kind o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	Limiting erosion around pond from Brooklyn Park MN May 20, 2013 Minnesota resident, wants to find plant limit erosion from pond? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Poisonous Plants Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Trees	Wildlife garden for Austin May 19, 2013 I am trying to make my backyard more wildlife friendly. I have pecan trees for the canopy and some understory shrub/trees like rough leaf dogwood and redbud. I am having a really hard time finding sui... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Meadow Gardens Grasses or Grass-like Wildflowers	Creating a wildflower meadow May 18, 2013 I have an area 1-6 acres worth that is currently grass that I would like to overseed with wildflower seed. The local native plant nursery says that would be a waste. I don't really want to kill gra... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Grasses or Grass-like	Native alternative to Japanese grass from Lake Jackson TX May 16, 2013 Is there a native alternative to Little Kitten maiden grass? I was asked to comment on a plan and don't want them to introduce another Japanese plant into our local habitat. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	Low growing erosion control plants for lakeside in Washington Township NJ May 12, 2013 I live on a small lake in Northern NJ and have installed beautiful Boulders along the water to help stop erosion. Now I want to add plants along the property but would like low growing, soil retentio... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Container Gardens Cacti and Succulents Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Container plants for Yakima WA May 11, 2013 My condo complex has purchased large, pottery pots for around our pool. I need to choose low maintenance plants. hopefully something that takes limited water, etc. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Ferns Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs Wildflowers	Native plants for a garden in Panama City, FL May 10, 2013 I live in zone 9 in Florida. We are looking for plants which will be attractive all year long for the front of our house's landscaping which faces north. I need a specimen bush which doesn't get ov... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Planting Grasses or Grass-like	Will buffalograss thrive in Ada OK? May 08, 2013 Would buffalo grass thrive in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, where my sandy loamie soil struggles with summer droughts? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Privacy Screening Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees	Privacy screen from Temecula CA May 04, 2013 I live in Temecula and need a fast growing tree by our pool that is good to block neighbors house. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Privacy Screening Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees	Privacy screen from Simpsonville SC May 04, 2013 My neighbor cut down his part of our shared woods so now we see his whole "outside patio area". What kinds of fast growing shade loving trees and shrubs can we plant on our property line that will c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Problem Plants Grasses or Grass-like	Can fibrous roots of Chasmanthium latifolium damage house foundation May 03, 2013 Dear Mr.Ms. S-P, Can the fibrous roots of inland sea oats cause foundation problems? I was digging around my foundation and found a root about 1" in diameter that I am afraid might be from sea oa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Xeriscapes Diseases and Disorders Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Dying non-native St. Augustine grass from Austin May 02, 2013 Although we all know St. Augustine grass is not a good thing, I am stuck with it and am trying to save areas that appear to have take-all fungus. I have done much reading online and have tried peat m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Pests Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Removing bermudagrass from buffalograss in Smithville TX May 01, 2013 I have a lawn created two years ago with buffalo grass sod in Smithville, TX. Recently several areas of bermudagrass have started to flourish in the buffalo grass lawn. Can you recommend a herbicide... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Groundcovers Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Groundcovers & Shrubs for Shade in North Carolina April 30, 2013 Mr Smarty Pants, My neighbor planted cypress trees as a border between his yard and ours and it is sucking up every drop of water and nutrient. We also have a purple plum in the area which creates ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Drought Tolerant Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Narrow strip of groundcover from Sonora TX April 29, 2013 I have an area that is right under my patio about 12 feet by 1 ft. I'm looking for something to plant in there. It has afternoon sun, morning shade. I live in SW Texas so it is hot. but would like so... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Deer resistant native plants for Eagle Scout project in Urbandale IA April 27, 2013 Mr. Smarty Plants, My son is planning his Eagle Scout Project doing some landscaping for the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary. The facility has asked him to use only plants native to Iowa. Can you su... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Pests Grasses or Grass-like	Dog-proof grass from The Woodlands TX April 26, 2013 I am looking for a hardy grass that can tolerate female dogs urine. Zoysia was suggested but I am concerned about it being invasive. Any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Soils Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Plants for steep slope in Pittsburgh PA April 25, 2013 I have a similar question to one from SC. I live in Pittsburgh, PA. We have a steep slope behind a newly built in pool. What type of plants can I put on the hillside to hold the soil. It gets a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Soils Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	Erosion control on slope from Columbia SC April 25, 2013 We are in the process of having a new home built in Columbia South Carolina. Part of the front yard has a steep slope starting approximately four feet from the corner of the house and running to the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Ground cover for heavily traveled walkway from Redondo Beach CA April 23, 2013 I am looking for a drought resistant ground cover that you can walk on. I live on a south facing, sunny corner lot, 2 blocks from the beach where people park and need to cross over to get to the sidew... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like Vines	Groundcover Under Maple Tree in Ottawa That Takes Foot Traffic April 19, 2013 Hi, I am looking for a groundcover to put under a large maple tree that will be alright for kids to run about on and will be happy in the Ottawa climate. Your other answers to similar questions have b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like Wildflowers	Horse pasture seeds from Pawling NY April 19, 2013 We are getting ready to seed an area to be used as horse pasture some time in the future. What seed mix should we use to create an organic horse pasture in Pawling, NY. Ideally there would be some wil... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Seed and Plant Sources Water Gardens Grasses or Grass-like	Source for Saltmarsh cordgrass from Houston April 16, 2013 I work for a consulting firm and we are looking to do more of our wetland creation/restoration. Do you know where one can purchased Spartina alterniflora? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Seed and Plant Sources Green Roofs Grasses or Grass-like Wildflowers	Resources for a green roof project from Wayne PA April 14, 2013 Hello! I am researching a project to create a native wildflower/ turf mix for a green roof. I would ideally like to grow it as a sod mat, and then install it in rolls. I am currently working as an i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Deer Resistant Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like	Plant for deep shade in Pennsylvania April 09, 2013 Hi! I am landscaping our house and trying to use only plants that provide seasonal benefit to bees, butterflies, birds etc. not the deer though. My question is that I have a fairly steep slope of abou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Grasses or Grass-like	Landscaper recommends non-native zoysia in Austin April 05, 2013 My landscaper recommends using "zoysia" grass throughout my new lawn, in full shade, partly shaded, and non-shaded areas, including in the gaps between leuder stone walks. I haven't heard about th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Xeriscapes Groundcovers Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like Trees	Replacement for shade grass in El Paso TX April 05, 2013 We currently have a Honey Mesquite tree with thinning bermuda grass underneath in our front yard. I suspect that the filtered shade is killing the bermuda. I was thinking of planting Buffalo Grass, or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Seeds and Seeding Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like	Nimblewill grass for a shady area in Dallas April 04, 2013 i have a very shady backyard and reading some of your post I think Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill) will survive. Two questions: Is it drought resistant? Where can I buy the seeds? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Watering Deer Resistant Grasses or Grass-like	Resourses that are being taken away - Tiffin OH April 03, 2013 What are resources that are being taken away from humans and organisms? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Xeriscapes Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Starting over on a lawn in Heath TX April 02, 2013 Unless one counts dichondra as grass I have more weeds than grass in my yard.I have hand pulled the weeds and used an organic program without success. The soil is a hard clay typical of North Texas. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Shade Tolerant Ferns Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Plants to grow in shady sand in Florida March 31, 2013 We live in central Florida (directly between Orlando and Tampa). Our yard is mostly sand for soil and difficult parts in shade almost all day from large trees. What ground cover (grass) and hedges can... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Groundcovers for Miami FL March 27, 2013 What is a ground cover that does not need mowing or a lot of water and survives in South Florida heat and is also native to the area? I would like to turn my lawn into a more natural self-sustaining a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Problem Plants Shade Tolerant Ferns Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Plants to grow in shady area near a pecan tree in Maryland March 26, 2013 I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I have planted only natives in my front lawn. My backyard, which sports a pecan tree, fir, fig tree, and others I can't identify is dirt, just dirt. I have... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Xeriscapes Compost and Mulch Grasses or Grass-like Trees	Surface tree roots hurting grass in Houston March 21, 2013 We have 2 mature Arizona Ash trees in our yard (30-40'). One of them is in a sunnier location and has developed an extensive network of surface roots (up to 1 to 1 1/2" Dia.) between the tree and th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Erosion control in Spicewood TX March 20, 2013 I am from a small community along the Colorado River a few miles East of Marble Falls. We are looking for a ground cover/grass to prevent erosion on on our beach front. We had planned to use Bermuda G... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Seeds and Seeding Grasses or Grass-like	Habiturf for Round Rock TX March 17, 2013 Topic Habiturf. We have just aerated our lawn. We were planning on throwing out bermudagrass seed. We already have bermudagrass as well as many weeds in the lawn especially the blue stem clump grass w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Plant Lists Groundcovers Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like	Shade Tolerant Grasses and Groundcovers for Waco TX March 15, 2013 What is the best shade-tolerant grass? What is the best shade-tolerant ground cover? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
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