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.
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Thursday - March 08, 2012
From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Turf, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Planting Habiturf in Houston, TX>
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
First, I want to say thank you for such an informative site. You say that the Buffalograsses tend to do well in drier and well drained soil. My house has a lawn that drops about 10 inches in about 20 feet. I live in Houston and the predictions for this year are that we will have below average rainfall. What would be your take on the chances of Buffalograss lawn doing "well" in these conditions? Thank you,ANSWER:
Thank you for the kind words. There are some truly dedicated workers, both staff and volunteers, here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
First lets clear up a mis-conception; when we talk about “well drained soil” we are talking about the water percolating down through the soil, not running down a slope. Here are a couple of links that illustrate this point:
walter reeves.com
acupofhot.blogspot.com
As more and more people are looking at Buffalo grass and Habiturf for their lawns, we are getting more questions about these grasses. Here are a couple of previously answered questions from Houston that may be helpful to you.
#7752
#7750
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Grasses in Allen County, Indiana
September 25, 2010 - Do you have images of Northeast Allen County, Indiana grass specimens with i.d.? I am a student teacher and am putting together a nature hunt list for my students.
Thank-you,
view the full question and answer
Evergreen ground cover for San Antonio
August 03, 2011 - Is there a short, evergreen, drought tolerant ground cover which will tolerate light traffic that can be used instead of grass? San Antonio, Texas
view the full question and answer
Removing grass under oak trees in Pflugerville TX
August 30, 2009 - I would like to use the newspaper-and-mulch method to smother grass under the canopy of live oaks, a bur oak, and a lacey oak so that I can plant natives that will thrive there. However, I'm concern...
view the full question and answer
Need native plant to stabilize 45 degree slope in Houston, TX.
June 06, 2012 - Can you recommend a native TX plant to be used to stabilize a 45 degree slope in the Houston area? Durability, maintenance and appearance should be considered. Thank You.
view the full question and answer
Protecting plants from birds near bird feeder
April 24, 2009 - I am happy to have several cardinal pairs living in my yard, but I need to discourage them from eating & destroying my purple heart planted under the huge cedar that holds my bird feeders. The cardina...
view the full question and answer
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