Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - April 23, 2013

From: Redondo Beach, CA
Region: California
Topic: Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Ground cover for heavily traveled walkway from Redondo Beach CA
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I am looking for a drought resistant ground cover that you can walk on. I live on a south facing, sunny corner lot, 2 blocks from the beach where people park and need to cross over to get to the sidewalk-any suggestions?

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants is good, but our magic wand is at the shop. Please see this Previous question on a similar problem. You are basically providing a pathway to a very popular spot, the beach, and no one will care if they step on your lovingly placed plants. Most grasses are NOT foot proof and you would be constantly dealing with trying to water and weed, as well as replacing the squashed plants.

 

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions

Encouraging native grasses to flourish
August 23, 2007 - We have been trying to restore the yard around the house with native grasses and forbs for the last two years. The soil is clay and nothing seems to grow. We have distributed 5 truck loads of mulch, p...
view the full question and answer

Native grasses for shady yard in Austin
September 04, 2011 - I was looking at your research on native grasses to be used in a yard. I want to plant your native mix of seeds, but worry that there is too much shade in my yard. I live in central Austin and wante...
view the full question and answer

Plants to stabilize a bank in VT
April 10, 2012 - I am looking for suggestion on what plants might best be suited for aiding in the stabilization of a very steep bank above Lake Champlain.
view the full question and answer

Would there be wild buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) growing in Williamson County?
May 13, 2009 - Greetings, I have done a "test planting" of buffalo grass in my yard. There are now some blooms (?) on the grass and I have noticed similar blooms on grass in two different places in the area (Tay...
view the full question and answer

Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) for horse pastures
February 04, 2008 - Can Buffalo Grass be used for browse for horse pastures?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.