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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - November 07, 2011
From: Leander, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Native, full-sun, 4-in. evergreen grasses for Leander TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Help! I need a native Texas evergreen sedge/grass/ground cover for full-sun/hot/dry area between sidewalk and street. The plants will need to be kept about 4" high, if growth is higher it must be mowed. Soil can be amended to meet plant needs. I searched the Q & A and plant description pages and did not find a plant that would live in the specified conditions.ANSWER:
Gee, who doesn't? We can help you with several of your requirements, but not all of them. Allow us to introduce you to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's research on grasses well suited to drought, heat and sun. What we cannot do is offer you anything evergreen. Some of these grasses even go dormant and turn brown when it is very dry, but will persevere. Please read these articles about the grasses that have been developed:
How-To Article - Native Lawns: Buffalograss
How-To Article - Native Lawns: Multi-Species introducing Habiturf
Native Lawns - including comparisons on weed resistance
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Flowering groundcover for Indiana
May 25, 2009 - I live in southern Indiana and am looking for a nice flowering groundcover that will overcome the grass. It is on a hill that is very hard to mow.
view the full question and answer
Drought tolerant ground cover for Midlothian, TX
June 17, 2012 - I'm looking for a fast, low ground cover. That is drought tolerant for a large slope.
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for Massachusetts
March 21, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
We are trying to kill poison ivy in shaded areas bordering our driveway and want to plant something quickly to replace it. There are many tall trees in this area, mainly pi...
view the full question and answer
Want a ground cover instead of St. Augustine to fill in gaps in stone pathway.
November 19, 2012 - I'm considering using Silver Ponyfoot (instead of St. Augustine) to fill in the 6" gaps between my 24"x24" cut limestone blocks footpath and patio. Do they run long that may cover the blocks, whi...
view the full question and answer
Information about ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis)
May 06, 2008 - I recently planted some Carpobrotus edulis, Ice plant, and wanted to know if I can mulch or put stones around the entire garden and plants. They are a ground cover plant.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |