Native Plants

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topic	question
Non-Natives Wildlife Gardens Grasses or Grass-like	Protecting plants from birds near bird feeder April 24, 2009 I am happy to have several cardinal pairs living in my yard, but I need to discourage them from eating & destroying my purple heart planted under the huge cedar that holds my bird feeders. The cardina... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Plants for banks of a retention pond in Alabama April 24, 2009 What can we plant on the inner and out walls of a detention pond to stop erosion? The pond is located in a neighborhood in Mobile, AL and the walls are 9 ft high with a steep slope. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Special requirements for Density buffalograss in Austin April 23, 2009 Are there any special requirements for Density Buffalo beyond the requirements of other, more common, types of buffalo grass? Background: We live in NW Austin, and we recently installed density bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	Non-allergenic landscape in Fairfield, CT April 18, 2009 I live in Fairfield, CT and need to have a non-allergenic landscape. Can you please list plants, ground covers, and trees/shrubs that would be beautiful, and help in this critical situation? The lan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Meadow Gardens Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Flowering plant for hillside in Brookings OR April 16, 2009 We live on the Chetco river and the bank in front of the house is on a hill. What would be a flowering plant that would maintain the integrity of the hill? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Tree without extensive root system in Ozark, AL April 10, 2009 I would like to plant a tree (in full sun next to a brick house wall) that doesn't have an extensive root system. I have concerns about the roots and the water/septic lines, as well as the concrete h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Water seepage problems in basement in Philadelphia April 09, 2009 I am interested in stopping/limiting water seepage into my basement by placing water absorbing ground plants along one or both sides. The grass we planted when home was new in July 2007 has taken on o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Vines	Stabilizing a shale slope in Virginia April 08, 2009 I have family members who recently built a new home in Virginia. The site required extensive excavation resulting in a large 30 foot, nearly vertical, shale wall behind the house. They now want to r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Grasses for creek area near Abilene, Texas April 04, 2009 I have constructed several low water crossings on a live creek in the Abilene,Texas area and need to find out the best grass to plant to hold secure the soil and keep down erosion. The creek does runs... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Plants for near a salt water swimming pool April 01, 2009 I need some suggestions of plants that will grow next to a public salt water swimming pool, located in Bossier City, Louisiana View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native grasses to replace mondo grass in California March 30, 2009 Hello - I live in the Southern California coastal zone, and am looking for a drought resistant, turf alternative. My husband wants to use "Mondo Grass", but I know that is not native to the regi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Grasses for area under pecan tree in Tennessee March 26, 2009 I have two big pecan trees in my yard and would like to know what kind of grasses would thrive in the shade and also survive for my area of the country. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native grasses for Georgia March 26, 2009 I am new to Georgia by way of Colorado and would like to plant a drought resistant, tough grass/sod alternative in my backyard. Would buffalo / grama grass do ok in this climate? My backyard doesn�t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Plants for a creek bank in Northern Illinois March 26, 2009 Hello. I live in Northern Illinois. The creek (northern exposure in a wooded area) on the back of my property has bare muddy banks and is subject to seasonal floods. I want to plant something hardy t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	How can I control Rescue Grass in my newly seeded prairie restoration? March 25, 2009 Hello, This past fall I solarized the existing turfgrass in my front yard and seeded with the native tallgrass prairie grasses and wildflowers. My goal is to restore a small patch of tall grass pr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Plant for full sun behind waterfall March 21, 2009 I have a 24 inch waterfall around my pool. I need to plant something behind it. I have full sun and hot Texas weather. I will be watering everyday, so what do you think would grow well in this area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Poisonous Plants Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Trees	Potential allelopathy of cultivar of Artemisia ludoviciana March 09, 2009 I recently submitted a question regarding allelopathic potential of artemisia ludoviciana on rusty blackhaw viburnum, not specifying that I meant Vibernum rufidulum. Mr. SP interpreted my viburnum as... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Curvularia blight in buffalograss in Kansas March 05, 2009 Our buffalo grass is infected with a fungus called curvularia. How can we treat it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Difficult slope in Tarrytown NY March 03, 2009 I hope you can help. Is there a way to plant some native shrubs and plants on a steep slope that is filled in some areas with rock without having to tier the slope? The section is approximately 50' w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native grasses for south Florida March 02, 2009 I live in south Florida, south of Miami about 30 miles. I would like to get rid of my St. Augustine lawn and plant native grasses. Can you please suggest some plants I could use? Will buffalo grass... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native grasses for Gilmer TX March 01, 2009 I would like to get some native grasses growing on our farm that are good for wildlife - barnyard grass - sedges - smartweed - have read and heard that all I need to do is disc and fertilize - yes/no ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Grasses or Grass-like	Top soil dressing for bermudagrass February 25, 2009 Need to apply top soil dressing to bermudagrass. Can you suggest any type? This area is heavy clay soil and need to even out the lawn as well as feed the grass. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Low cost landscaping in Federicksburg VA February 22, 2009 Hello, I live in Fredericksburg Va and I rent a townhome with a small yard. My back yard is almost completely mud and my front yard has a hideous square shrub. So my question is do you have any plant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Flowering native plants for Bastrop, TX February 20, 2009 What type of flowering plants, trees,and bushes will grow in Bastrop, Texas? I see lots of things around, please help, have never done before. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native grasses for traffic area in Austin February 11, 2009 What time of the year is best to plant grass seed in Central Texas? My lawn is in bad shape due to the drought and my dogs. I am considering replanting with tall fescue, do you have any comments or ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Identification of native wild grass in Austin February 01, 2009 I had some landscaping done in my yard in Austin. My aim was minimal care so I requested native Texas plants. I am plant illiterate and just now looking in the City of Austin "grow green guide" to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	The effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on tall grass species January 25, 2009 I have a question about some established native grass areas that we have on our golf course in eastern Missouri. For the past eight or nine years we have been working hard to transition these areas f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Drought-resistant plants for Paradise, California January 23, 2009 We are moving to a new home in Paradise, CA. What drought resistant plants do well in Paradise ? Thank you !! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Pests Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	What flowers will ducks and swans not eat? January 11, 2009 I live by ducks and swans. They love eating my flowers. Any suggestions on what flowering plants they won't eat? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Grass for area under pecans in Abilene, TX January 01, 2009 I have two large pecan trees in my back yard. Grass has always been hard to grow under these two trees, but lately all grass seems to have "vanished" and I'm left with mostly bare soil. Is there ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Grasses for Van Zandt County, Texas December 13, 2008 We have approx'ly 200 acres in Van Zandt County, Texas between Edom & Ben Wheeler of which approx'ly half is pasture land and has been used for hay for the past several years. We would have convert... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
General Botany Grasses or Grass-like	What to do about grass dying under pin oaks in Iowa December 10, 2008 We have 2 pin oaks about 15 years old in our front yard. The grass has started dying out under and around them. What can we do? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Planting Soils Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Native flower bed with part sun December 05, 2008 I have recently put in three small flower beds and replaced the hard clay with decent dirt. The site is shaded in the AM but mostly sun in the PM. I would like to plant natives - what can you recommen... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Planting Propagation Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Plants native to Galveston that would survive in Austin December 01, 2008 What plants are native to the Galveston, Texas region? Can any of those plants survive in the Austin area? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Compost and Mulch Grasses or Grass-like Wildflowers	Possibility of replacing Bermudagrass with native grasses and wildflowers November 24, 2008 Are there any native grasses and wildflowers that can compete with bermuda grass to make a nativ-y wild area without removing the bermuda? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Grass for miniature horses October 31, 2008 We are looking for buffalo grass or a grass that can be eaten by miniature horses. We have a small non-profit in south Austin and bring the minis home on weekends x2 a month. Our yard has been dirt w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Growing grasses under juniper trees (Juniperus ashei) October 29, 2008 Mr. Smarty Plants, Yesterday, I attended the plant sale at the Wildflower Center. I purchased cupgrass and switchgrass seeds only to discover the grasses may need more water than I am willing to u... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like	Plants for steep slope in Virginia October 24, 2008 Please help! Looking for landscaping ideas for a very large Steep hill. Features: slope is approximately 45-60 degrees, clay soil mixed with fill dirt, lots of deer, partial sun, seeking minimal maint... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Replacing junipers on slope with wildlife garden October 23, 2008 Gradual replacement of Juniper with natives? We have a 10 foot deep slope with less than a 45 degree angle that is all covered with old, overgrown Juniper. It does not appear to serve any purpose ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Problems for plants growing over closed loop field of geothermal system October 22, 2008 We would like to install a geothermal heating/cooling system on our Wisconsin property. Are there any environmental problems with the heat that is put back in the earth from a geothermal system? We ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Winter care of native perennials in Austin October 19, 2008 Last spring I planted some wildflowers suggested by Deryn Davidson. they did extremely well. I planted-Gulf Muhly,Big Muhly,Red Yucca,Purple Cone Flower,Wine Cup, Large Buttercup And Mealy Blue sage, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Grasses for sloped clay hillside in Ohio October 16, 2008 I have built a new home located on a hillside, our soil has a tremendous amount of clay in it. We have a sloped hillside that flows within 25 feet to the back door. The area is wooded and therefore ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Grass for detention pond in Illinois October 06, 2008 Hi, please advise regarding grass for bottom of detention pond. I have pond with drawdown time 4 days, what grass could survive being underwater 4 days, and not die? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Plants for a drainage easement in central Texas September 29, 2008 I have a 1/3 acre of drainage easement behind my home. I would like to cover it with wildflowers. It is only wet during or shortly after a rain and otherwise does not have water. I have channelled ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Wildflower meadow for birds September 19, 2008 I put in a wildflower feed plot for the song birds 3 years ago. We prepared the bed by first using Round Up to kill all the grass then lightly tilled to scratch the surface and planted the wildflower ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Problem Plants Grasses or Grass-like	East Texas grasses for holding soils September 17, 2008 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a question about the East Texas area: Specifically, which natvie grasses can be planted to hold the soil/new roads through the winter? Here is the situation: (Against... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Compost and Mulch Planting Turf Grasses or Grass-like	Submerged paving under lawn September 07, 2008 I had 4 patches of rectangular areas (about 4'x6'or more) in my lawn where the grass is fine in spring but totally dies in summer. I decided to till these bare patches so that grass may grow better... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Non-Natives Grasses or Grass-like	TIF 419 Bermudagrass vs. Zoysia September 03, 2008 I'm currently faced with the decision to sod my yard with TIF 419 or Zoysia. Zoysia is double the price so my knee jerk reaction is to go with Bermuda. Proponents of Zoysia claim it requires less m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native plants for bioswale in Tennessee September 02, 2008 What native plants do you recommend for a bioswale in Tennessee? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native grasses for field in Fairfield, TX August 21, 2008 We are clearing youpon, briars and small trees from 13 acres of woods near Fairfield, Texas. We want to plant native grass(s) that can tolerate shade and part shade, but also tolerate mowing(shredder... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
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