Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Sunday - March 30, 2008
From: Yuma, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Viability of buffalo grass in Yuma, AZ
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Will Buffalo Grass grow in Yuma, AZ, where the temperature can go as high as 120 degrees in the summer?ANSWER:
You might want to begin by reading this article on Native Lawns from our How-to Articles. It specifically discusses buffalograss, its planting and care.
We checked first in the USDA Plant Profile for Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss). While it appears that buffalograss does grow in Arizona, it is not shown as growing in Yuma County, in the southwest corner of Arizona. This may not be a complete picture, as the Plant Profile is sometimes out of date. We could find no upper limit on the temperature buffalograss could withstand, but it is said to be heat-resistant. One consideration might be whether the lawn will be irrigated. You will note from the webpage on buffalograss that it can withstand drought, but may need some irrigation in long, hot, dry spells. Some of the counties in Arizona are farther south than Yuma, and appear to have buffalograss growing.
To get information from plant people closer to home, try this site from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension office for Yuma County.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Non-native smoketree for California City, CA
June 28, 2010 - I was wondering if you could tell me if it would be a good or bad idea to plant a Smoke Tree (most likely European) in the vicinity of a septic tank. We are looking for something which will provide a...
view the full question and answer
Controlling sedge in vegetable garden in Mississippi
August 03, 2008 - I have a veg. garden surrounded by Purple Sedge. The nut grass has been contained/eliminated by replacing all dirt 1' down. Now the surrounding sedge is beginning to creep inward infesting the gard...
view the full question and answer
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 the full question and answer
Plants for steep clay bank in Summerfield OH
April 07, 2012 - Hello, We have a steep 15-20 foot high bank behind our house here in southern Ohio. Probably 50 ft.long. What could we plant for beauty and erosion control. It is nasty clay soil with lots of shale an...
view the full question and answer
Plants for delineating property line
July 18, 2010 - I have a neighbor who does not mow his grass or take care of a strip that runs between my property and his. I would like to plant some inexpensive, low maintenance, shrubs, that would do well in full...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
