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.

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topic	question
Meadow Gardens Planting Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Wildflowers	wildflowers with interesting seed heads for winter interest January 09, 2015 I am looking to establish a wildflower meadow this year, and I want to include wildflowers that have interesting seed heads for winter interest. What would be your recommendation? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Ferns Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs	Plants to prevent creekside erosion in Nacogdoches County, Texas December 09, 2014 I am looking for some advice on plants native to Texas that can help prevent erosion. I own a wooded lot with a creek and would like to consolidate the sides of the creek against potential erosion. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Grasses or Grass-like	Controlling non-native Pennisetum frutescens (Naked fountain grass) December 07, 2014 Three years ago I bought a pennisetum frutescans grass from a reputable online nursery. It gets no supplemental water, but it is taking over my yard. It is almost 7 feet wide now. Can you tell me how ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Plant Lists Planting Shade Tolerant Ferns Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Shrubs Trees Vines Wildflowers	Plants for a moist, wooded area in North Carolina December 06, 2014 I am looking to plant some native flowers in a wooded area in Surry County NC. The chosen location is fully shaded beside a creek. The water table typically sets about 2 feet below the surface of th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Potential ecosystem benefits to Carex flaccosperma December 06, 2014 Hi, I am trying to find out if there are any ecosystem benefits associated with the plant Carex flaccosperma: Blue wood sedge? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Turf Grasses or Grass-like	Alternative for HABITURF� in Los Angeles County, CA December 04, 2014 The Habiturf brochure has a map indicating appropriate locales for growing this lawn. Excluded from the appropriate range is Southern California, where I live. Is Habiturf not recommended for this reg... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Soils Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs Trees	Restoring disturbed land in Marshall, TX. December 04, 2014 I have a 30 acre tract of land in Marshall, Texas. The oil company has turned 2-3 acres surrounding the rig into gravel. I would like to return the gravel area to green space. Any suggestions on gras... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Planting Erosion Control Groundcovers Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like	O.K. to grow grass under a live oak? November 26, 2014 Is it a bad idea to plant grass around a mature live oak? We have erosion issues and trying to keep mulch in the beds around the tree groves is a challenge, even with edging. Much of the native dirt... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Meadow Gardens Planting Propagation Seeds and Seeding Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Planting a meadow garden in Pennsylvania November 16, 2014 I live in Saxonburg PA near Pittsburgh PA. I want to put a meadow garden in my back yard. We are building a home so there is no established yard yet just trees and weeds. Where do I start . What... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Septic Systems Grasses or Grass-like	Using bamboo as a filter for odoras from a wastewater treatmen plant in College Station, TX November 16, 2014 My wastewater treatment plant is considering planting bamboo to create a filter for odors between it and the neighborhood. Are there any native plant alternatives that would function as well (if not b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Planting Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like	Shade grasses for central Texas November 16, 2014 We are new to the area and bought a home this summer that has lots of shade in the very small backyard. The problem is that there was new sod laid in the backyard which now is 50% dead. We do not kno... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Thunderturf turning brown in Dallas November 16, 2014 Thunder Turf turning brown in Dallas, TX: Hi there. I planted new Thunder Turf seed in my entire back yard this past spring. It grew incredibly strong and abundant all summer until about September ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Planting Habiturf in an occasional overflow area November 14, 2014 Wondering about putting Habiturf in an area that is for occasional flood overflow. How will the Habiturf be affected by these occasional conditions? I suspect it won't like it and will start to thin ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Overwintering Juncus spiralis in a Container in PA November 06, 2014 I have been growing a Juncus 'Spiralis' in a self-watering container on my zone 7 patio in Pennsylvania happily all summer. I have read that this plant is native and should survive outdoors over the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Invasive Plants Non-Natives Plant Identification Planting Propagation Seasonal Tasks Problem Plants Turf Grasses or Grass-like	Bermuda, not the only option in Memphis November 04, 2014 I'm building an energy efficient home in Memphis and want to extend that strategy to the landscaping. I'd like to plant native grasses, but this lot is surrounded by lots sodded with Bermuda grass.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Propagation Seeds and Seeding Grasses or Grass-like	Need plants for a ecoregion prairie project in Cleburne, TX October 30, 2014 I have a ecoregion prairie project in which students are to plant from pots a small area so visitors might see what the seeded area will become. We are struggling to find potted plants. HELP View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Edible Plants Grasses or Grass-like	Native Grasses as a Hay Crop in Beeville, TX October 22, 2014 I am looking to cut Hay on about 38 acres just west of Beeville, Texas. I want to convert the land to native grasses, but I still want to have a decent hay crop that I can sell. What is a good set of ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Groundcovers Grasses or Grass-like	Groundcover for Critical Area Buffer Zone in Maryland October 06, 2014 Help RE: Maryland Critical Area Buffer Zone. Is there a low or no- mow grass native to Maryland that can be used in a Critical Area Buffer Zone. The area is Sunny/Clay. Or can you recommend a grou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Turf Grasses or Grass-like	Alternative to Habiturf� for San Franciso area October 05, 2014 Will Habiturf thrive in San Francisco? My current sod lawn is dying because the soil has become extremely hard. I'll replace the top couple of inches but underneath is a mix of sand and clay. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Need native plants to place in chicken coop in Charolette, NC September 20, 2014 Hi, I live near Charlotte, NC. I'm looking for native plants that I can plant in my chicken coop that will produce food for the chickens. If they also produced some delicious food for me, I wouldn't... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Groundcovers Turf Grasses or Grass-like Herbs/Forbs	Alternative for HABITURF� in Contra Costa County, CA September 17, 2014 We live in Kensington, just north of Berkeley, in the San Francisco area. We intend to get rid of our water consuming lawn and we are wondering what kind of alternative you would suggest. You don't s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Turf Grasses or Grass-like	Why are there no low-mow lawn grasses composed of only native fescues? September 09, 2014 Dear SP, Most blends of ecograss I see are a combination of non-native and native fescues (and sometimes buffalo grass, blue grama, etc.). Why are there (apparently) none that are composed entirely of... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Erosion Control Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	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... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Grasses or Grass-like	Native Grasses for Quebec August 21, 2014 I saw an article in the Martha Stewart magazine on native grasses. I live in Canada in Rimouski, in the province of Quebec. I am wondering if native grasses would grow here in the region? Our hardine... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
Container Gardens Shade Tolerant Grasses or Grass-like Shrubs	Shady Container Plant for Austin August 20, 2014 I am looking for a tall plant/small shrub/ornamental grass for a very large pot that is placed against the north wall of our Austin home. That spot gets some morning sun in the summer, but virtually ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer
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