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.
rate this answer
Saturday - April 07, 2007
From: Pflugerville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Practicality of Bouteloua dactyloides as turf grass in Pflugerville
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in Pflugerville next to Pfluger park. The soil is pretty rich there and I'm looking for a good turf grass to replace the weeds in the front yard. Someone recommended Turfallo. What do you think about that as opposed to St. Augustine and where is it available?ANSWER:
Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss) is an excellent choice if your area is sunny. It requires little water and does not need to be mowed frequently. Here is an article from Texas Cooperative Extension on buffalo grass. St. Augustine grass, on the other hand, will grow in the shade but it does require more frequent watering and mowing. I recommend that you read Native Lawns in our "How to" articles. it compares the use of buffalo grass to other grasses and also gives advice on planting.You might also like to read the answer to a recent question about Turffalo. You can find a distributor for this grass, developed by Texas Tech University, by visiting the Turffalo web site.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Deer resistant native plants for Eagle Scout project in Urbandale IA
April 27, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Plants, My son is planning his Eagle Scout Project doing some landscaping for the Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary. The facility has asked him to use only plants native to Iowa. Can you su...
view the full question and answer
Control of invasive sandburs in Austin
May 05, 2014 - My attempts to control / eradicate Sanbur with pre-emergent corn gluten twice yeary for the last three years have been unsuccessful. My post emergent pulling weeds for 15 years has also been unsucces...
view the full question and answer
Ornamental grass next to golf course pond
August 26, 2013 - I need an ornamental grass or shrub that will grow on a terrace next to a golf course pond and be ~ 3' of height. The plant will receive afternoon sun, must survive periodic flooding in the spring an...
view the full question and answer
Low-maintenance grass for retention pond
December 21, 2012 - I would like to know what would be a low-growing grass to put down for a water retention pond. We have clay and rocky soil. The incline of the sides of the retention pond are about 20 feet with gra...
view the full question and answer
Creating a wildflower meadow
May 18, 2013 - I have an area 1-6 acres worth that is currently grass that I would like to overseed with wildflower seed. The local native plant nursery says that would be a waste. I don't really want to kill gra...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |