Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Friday - October 05, 2007

From: Colleyville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Planting Purple Threeawn (Aristida purpurea) and Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Do you have information on planting Purple Threeawn and Little Bluestem? Also are there any inherent problems when planting…things to avoid, etc. Wanting to plant as ornamentals in the North Texas DFW area. Many thanks

ANSWER:

In our "How to Articles", there are several articles that have information useful to your project (e.g., "Native Lawns" and "Wildflower Meadow Gardening").

Also, Native American Seed has an excellent article, "Planting Tips for Native Grasses"


Aristida purpurea

Schizachyrium scoparium

 

 

More Propagation Questions

Will sprouts under pecan trees become producing trees in Jefferson Co., AL?
May 30, 2009 - Do pecan trees that sprout up underneath existing pecans trees ever amount to anything such as producing and bearing pecans?
view the full question and answer

Growing Texas mountain laurel in a pot
March 07, 2016 - I have a really good friend who Mom pass away just recently and they were the best of friends. She loved her mother dearly and did tons of stuff together. Recently I posted a picture of a Mountain L...
view the full question and answer

Transplanting wildflowers slated for destruction in Buda, TX.
June 16, 2015 - TXDOT has recently informed our church that they will be taking a sizeable amount of natural area fronting a ranch road for lane expansion. We are devastated to lose an are we have planted and nurtur...
view the full question and answer

Planting Lupinus perennis and Lupinus polyfyllus together in NH
June 03, 2010 - I got a seed package with both Lupinous perennis and polyphyllus combined. Would they be okay to plant together in NH?
view the full question and answer

Germinating Mexican Persimmon seeds in Austin, TX.
November 15, 2011 - I'm planning to germinate Mexican Persimmon seeds, and plant them this spring. I want a female for fruit. Is there any way to encourage a plant to be female, and if not, is there any way you can iden...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.