Native Plants

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topic	question
Wildlife Gardens Planting Seeds and Seeding Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Establishing wildflowers on a slope in Virginia August 18, 2012 From Roanoke Virginia. I have a steep bank rising from one side of my driveway to woods above. Different areas vary from full sun, to half day shade. It is possible to carefully walk/stand on it, we a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Meadow Gardens Seasonal Tasks Grasses or Grass-like Wildflowers	Mowing frequency of native lawn from Georgetown TX August 18, 2012 I have a native grass and wildflower lawn. At what frequency and when should the lawn be mowed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Compost and Mulch Grasses or Grass-like	Non-native, invasive bermudagrass from Memphis TN August 17, 2012 I live in central Memphis and have well-drained clay soil. I have converted much of the front yard from turf grass to beds of native plants, which survive our hot humid without supplemental watering e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like	Stream Bank Erosion Control for Bryan/College Station August 16, 2012 I live in the Bryan/College Station area and need a ground cover to abate erosion on the bank of an intermittent stream. The bank is shaded. Do you have any suggestions? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Turf Grasses or Grass-like	Grass mixture for Spicewood TX August 14, 2012 I want to seed a bare sand limestone area about 2 acres in size. Assuming "normal" Texas hill country weather and the availability of moderate water for sprinkling is there one mixture that you reco... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Diseases and Disorders Grasses or Grass-like	Muhly grass slow to green up from Spring Hill FL August 04, 2012 Have lots of muhly grass planted 3 yrs ago. This yr about 1/3 are VERY slow. Still look like hay stacks. No pattern in the bed. You mentioned pesticides being too close? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Grasses or Grass-like	Request for native grasses from Hillsboro TX August 04, 2012 P.S. I forgot to mention one very important fact: my neighbor specifically asked for "native grass" recommendations. He thought he was getting a native grass recommendation. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Buffalograss from Kensington MD August 03, 2012 Hi, I'm going to follow-up on the buffalograss question from Charlottesville, since it wasn't answered fully. I'm wondering the same thing: can buffallograss survive the wet conditions of the more ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Planting Grasses or Grass-like	Transplanting Muhly grass in late summer from Wimberley TX August 02, 2012 Can I transplant Muhly grass in July/August? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Ferns Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees Vines	Cottage-style landscaping for Chesapeake VA August 02, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plant staff, I recently moved into a cottage style home that has a poured concrete/paver patio. I am trying to come up with ideas for plantings that would 1. give me a bit of privacy,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Erosion Control Turf Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Wildflowers	Plants to prevent erosion in IL August 02, 2012 We just got done building a house and have leveled all of the dirt piles. We do have a row of straw bales to help prevent the dirt from washing onto the neighbors property. It is the wrong time of ye... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Ground cover for high traffic area in Pennsylvania August 01, 2012 I am wondering if there is a Pennsylvania native turf like grass/plant that can withstand a lot of foot traffic (public area with lots of children). This will be used in a formal setting so will need ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Meadow Gardens Septic Systems Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Wildflowers	Wildflower field for sewage leach field from Olga Washington August 01, 2012 I am interested in planting a large native wildflower field at a resort in the San Juan Islands in Washington State. It would be over a sewage leach field for many cabins and bathrooms. Are there any ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Compost and Mulch Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Will Habiturf thrive in Houston? July 31, 2012 Will Habiturf grow in partial sun? My lawn is surrounded by trees so that there is only about an hour each day with direct overhead sun. The rest of the day there is a light shade. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Pests Grasses or Grass-like	Ticks on native grasses in Katy, TX. July 23, 2012 Are there native grasses that are less susceptible to tick infestation than others? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Grasses or Grass-like	Problems for non-native St. Augustine grass from Little Rock AR July 18, 2012 We sodded St. Augustine grass four weeks ago. For the first three weeks we had no rain and temperatures over 100 degrees. We have watered 20 minutes twice a day since installation. There are brown pat... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Would Habiturf or buffalograss work in Charlottesville VA July 18, 2012 Hello, I am looking for an alternative to traditional turf grasses. I stumbled upon some information on your site about buffalo grass and LBJWC's 'Habiturf' mix and would like to know if this w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Propagation Grasses or Grass-like	Can two species of Muhlenbergia be cross-pollinated from Portal AZ July 17, 2012 Will Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Big Muhly) cross-pollinate with Muhlenbergia porteri (Bush Muhly)? I am attempting to restore the grasslands on my private property to a pre-1900 state. Bush Muhly was a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	North Dakota Riverbank Stabilization July 17, 2012 Can you suggest plants to prevent and stabilize river bank erosion on Sheyenne River, ND? Must be tolerant to cold, varying level of salts and sulfates and water level (from drought to flooding) View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Retention ponds for states in southeast, from Greenville SC July 14, 2012 We provide maintenance for Stormwater detention ponds and are looking for native grasses to plant in the bottom and sides of typically dry detention basins. Prefer low growing grasses that spread to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Wildlife Gardens Planting Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees Vines Wildflowers	Bird-friendly plants for the Texas coast July 13, 2012 I'm interested in starting a native plant garden, specifically with an eye towards providing food (either from the plants or insects that are attracted to the plants) for migratory birds. However, s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Drought Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like	Replacement for Kentucky grass in Colorado July 02, 2012 What kind of grass to replace "Kentucky grass"? It uses too much water. Need drought tolerant grass for the Rifle, Colorado area ("zip code is 81650"). Water bill is way too high, pushing over $10... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Plant Lists Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Plantings for sides of retention pond in Willits CA July 02, 2012 I am looking for recommendations for ground cover for the outside of embankments which impound wastewater. This is to improve the aesthetics and deter weeds. The slopes are 1V:2H, so if we can avoid... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Ground cover that won't hide snakes from Asheville NC June 29, 2012 I have an unusual situation: several bare areas in an otherwise wooded area, which receive partial sun, and are not near water -- it rains here frequently, but the soil can become quite dry at times. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees Vines	Plantings for a slope from New Carrollton MD June 27, 2012 My house (Maryland, near DC) sits at the bottom of a south facing slope. The soil is very heavy clay. The grade is about 1:20 for about 100 feet (with a steeper part at the top). Part of the hill is i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Container Gardens Planting Cacti and Succulents Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees Vines	Plants for 100 gal. pot by pool from Ft. Worth TX June 23, 2012 What North Texas evergreen � or combination of evergreen plants, bushes or trees � could thrive in a huge, 100-gallon clay pot (immovable!) that is situated in full sun year round in an exposed area n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Xeriscapes Drought Tolerant Groundcovers Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Ground cover under live oaks June 18, 2012 I have some areas under Live Oak trees (maybe 200 sq. ft.)that remain bare, in spite of trying Habiturf. Soil is dry, poor and shallow. Can you suggest a living ground cover that would not require m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Need a pretty ground cover to control erosion in Rigdeway, SC. June 09, 2012 What is a fast, pretty ground cover blanket to control erosion on steep hill. gets full sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Need native plant to stabilize 45 degree slope in Houston, TX. June 06, 2012 Can you recommend a native TX plant to be used to stabilize a 45 degree slope in the Houston area? Durability, maintenance and appearance should be considered. Thank You. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Plants for North Myrtle Beach SC June 05, 2012 What plants will do well at North Myrtle Beach, SC that will take full sun with dry soil? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Grasses or Grass-like Wildflowers	Invasive Indian paintbrushes in Grawn MI June 04, 2012 I have lots of Indian paintbrushes crowding my lawn and taking over the grass..what kills it without killing the grass? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Meadow Gardens Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Wildflowers	Meadow garden for Colorado Springs CO June 03, 2012 We recently purchased a restored home on a mesa just above the downtown area of Colorado Springs on the front range. The previous owners seeded the front lawn with blue gramma and told me that all I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Planting Grasses or Grass-like	Putting in native grass in June in Manor TX May 31, 2012 We are moving into a new-built house in the middle of June. We opted to not have them put in Bermuda grass as we wanted to seed a native mix. From my understanding, mid June will be too late to start ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Grasses or Grass-like	Keeping non-native invasive bermudagrass out of yard in Austin May 30, 2012 My neighbor just sodded a huge lawn with Bermuda Celebration. I don't want it coming into my St. Augustine. From what I've read on your site and others, I need a deep barrier. Has anyone tried pu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Ferns Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees Vines	Plants wilting too quickly in Toledo OH May 27, 2012 The garden I have had recent issues with plants wilting all too quickly. I would like to know what types of plants would be hearty for the climate in Toledo, Ohio. I have a partly sunny front yard and... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Diseases and Disorders Planting Grasses or Grass-like Trees Vines	Oak trees shedding leaves in Denton TX May 27, 2012 In Denton, TX we have two mature Quercus buckleyi. It is May 11th 2012 and one of these trees has been shedding green leaves for the last week. The only changes we have made are: planted English ivy... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Stabilizing a lakeside slope from Bracey, VA May 24, 2012 We are trying to beautify and stabilize a relatively large lakeside steep slope with a southern exposure in central Virginia. The soil is characterized by red clay and shale rock. How can we turn this... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Need suggestions for native grasses to stabilize hillside Lago Vista, TX. May 20, 2012 I was hoping for some advice. We live on a hillside near Lake Travis. 10-12 years ago I removed all cedar trees. There is approximately 1-2 acrees of steep land between our residence and the lake. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Grass for Seattle Arboretum May 20, 2012 I am writing to you on behalf of the Arboretum at South Seattle Community College Arboretum. I am interested in Panicum virgatum Switch Grass as a plant for a very heavy clay garden in our Arboretum a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Established Habiturf in the DFW area from Allen TX May 15, 2012 Where can I see an established Habiturf in the DFW area? There are two sites that are obviously DFW (White Rock Lake and Round Rock) mentioned in Ask Mr Smartyplants, but no addresses. If no sites ar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Habiturf for East Texas May 14, 2012 We live in east Texas, right on the beginning of the piney words, the soil is a little sandy. We have taken up a wooden walkway but can't get anything to grow there. Could the soil be dead from year ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Weeds in Habiturf from Austin May 14, 2012 We had our old lawn removed, tilled, laid compost, and Habiturf seed spread. I'm not sure if the man we contracted to do the work didn't adequately remove the old weed debris when he prepared the la... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Speed of bluestem grass spreading in Georgia red clay from Dallas GA May 13, 2012 How fast does bluestem spread in Georgia red clay? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Seed and Plant Sources Grasses or Grass-like	Looking for source of Carex texensis in Beaumont, TX May 11, 2012 Looking for Carex texensis, the only place I find it is in Tennessee or North Carolina. Should I buy it online from those places to put in Beaumont, TX? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
General Botany Pollinators Rare or Endangered Plants Seed and Plant Sources Wildlife Gardens Planting Propagation Groundcovers Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees Vines Wildflowers	Restoring the woods in Central Austin. May 08, 2012 I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native lawn solution for Southeast Texas from Missouri City TX May 05, 2012 I noticed the native lawn article regarding Habiturf states it is for "North, West and Central Texas". What is the recommended native lawn solution for Southeast Texas/Gulf Coast (Houston/Galveston... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Planting Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Steep slope from Charlotte NC May 03, 2012 I live near Charlotte, NC and I have a very steep sloped area from the edge of our front yard down to the road. It's a huge eyesore mainly because it is red clay dirt and has nothing growing on it. W... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Propagation Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like	Seed source for Carex texensis from Louisville KY May 02, 2012 Your reply to my question re a grass for my Kentucky home with cistern only water available was much appreciated, Carex texensis was recommended. I am unable to find this product for sale other than ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Meadow Gardens Drought Tolerant Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Wildflowers	Ground cover for a bank in PA April 28, 2012 I live in Landisburg, PA, (zone 6). I need to find some ground cover for a primarily full sun bank that is roughly 10-12' down over the embankment and up to 100' long. This area wraps around our po... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Non-monoculture turf grass for Florida from Sarasota FL April 28, 2012 I am looking for a non-monoculture turf grass suitable for the Florida climate. Will Habiturf work, or perhaps you have some other suggestions? Please advise. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
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