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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - January 02, 2008
From: Cedar Park, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Native plants for landscaping backyard in Central Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We are starting from scratch in our backyard (approx. 200'x60')in Central Texas (Cedar Park). The yard faces West. What do you recommend for plants, trees, shrubs and grass that are native and will require less water and care. We do want to provide food for beneficial insects, birds and butterflies. We also need to accomplish some type of screening on the north side of the property. Deer and rodent resistent plants would be a plus.ANSWER:
Let me first refer you to our list of Recommended Native Plants for Central Texas that you can browse through. The Kerrville chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) also has a list, Native Plants for Landscaping in the Texas Hill Country, with their suggestions. If you have a goodly amount of sunshine and are looking for a turf grass, Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss) is an excellent choice. It requires very little water and it doesn't need to be mowed very often. You can read about creating a native grass lawn in one of our How to Articles, "Native Lawns".There are many choices in the two lists above for trees and shrubs, but here are a few that Mr. Smarty Plants recommends.
LARGE TREES
Ulmus americana (American elm)
Quercus muehlenbergii (chinkapin oak)
SMALL/MEDIUM TREES
Acer grandidentatum (bigtooth maple)
Prunus mexicana (Mexican plum)
Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn)
Rhus lanceolata (prairie sumac)
Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Texas redbud)
Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood)
SHRUBS
For screening purposes you probably want evergreens. The following are evergreen:
Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel)
Mahonia trifoliolata (agarita)
Leucophyllum frutescens (cenizo)
Finally, both Juniperus ashei (Ashe's juniper) and Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) are evergreen and can be pruned into a hedge although both grow to be medium-sized trees.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Native grasses for horses
September 20, 2009 - I have 7ac with big and little bluestem. I'm told big is bad. And my horse eats ground veg and not the bluestem. So I'd love to replant the entire tract with something for the horse, deer, and nativ...
view the full question and answer
When and how to mow native grass in Texas
February 27, 2010 - We live on a ranch near Kerrville. The grass is sparse KR, purple three-awn and some Texas wintergrass. How and when is the best way and time to mow this native grass?
view the full question and answer
Interaction of Habiturf and St. Augustine grasses from Willow City TX
April 16, 2012 - How does Habiturf and St. Augustine interact? Does one dominate the other? Can you plant them in close areas? Thank you.
view the full question and 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 the full question and answer
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 the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |