Native Plants
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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.
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Friday - January 22, 2010
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Low height, drought tolerant grass for Central Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What is the best drought tolerant grass for Central Texas that can be used as a low height lawn? I remember seeing a news account (Austin TV) about some UT research at the Wildflower Center that developed a new heat/drought tolerant grass mix.ANSWER:
You are, indeed, right that the Wildflower Center is doing ongoing research on native lawns. You can read about it in our article, Native Lawns and you can see the research plots if you visit the Wildflower Center. One of our Associates Suppliers, Native American Seed in Junction, has a 2:1 mix of Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss) to Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama) called Native Sun Turfgrass. They also have the other major short turf grass used in the research, Hilaria belangeri (curly mesquite). Douglas King Seed Company in San Antonio also has all three grass seeds for sale.
We have two "How to Articles" that you probably will want to read:
1. Native Lawns (not the same as the article above). This article gives you the particulars of installing the 3 grasses mentioned above.
2. Native Lawns: Buffalograss gives recommendations and tips for establishing a native lawn with only buffalograss.
Native American Seed also has a "how to" article, Planting Tips for Native Grasses.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
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Native grasses for East Texas that require no mowing or watering
June 16, 2010 - What native grass can I grow in deep East Texas that would require no supplemental watering and no mowing?
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When do Habiturf® grasses make seeds?
June 16, 2015 - I planted Habiturf seeds last year near Dripping Springs. It looks like the Buffalo grass has had seeds on it for a week or 2. How long does it need to remain on the live Buffalo Grass before it can b...
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Erosion Control for Salem IN
September 02, 2014 - We've recently had a new pond dug. It is on a hill side and has some very steep and tall banks. We were advised that our best chance of keeping soil from eroding was to plant fescue. I'm not thrille...
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Does Calyptocarpus vialis (Horseherb) compete with turf grasses
October 05, 2015 - For my yard in central Austin
Does horse herb, Calyptocarpus vialis help or damage the growth of native short grasses? The grasses include Curly Mesquite and Blue Gamma planted early in the spring or...
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