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
Friday - October 30, 2015
From: Salado, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Straggler Daisy as a Groundcover in Salado, TX
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
I've identified Straggler Daisy or Horseherb as the plant to cover my 20 x 40 partly shady partly sunny lot. Could you provide me with the best method for starting and growing the plant to ensure it would continue to grow until it covers the lot. Thanks in advance.ANSWER:
Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy) is one of Mr. Smarty Plants favorite groundcovers and I'm glad you share that opinion. I have a neighbor who does not. His approach is to try to chop it out, kill it with herbicides and cuss at it till it wilts from embaraasement. The result is that he has a beautiful stand of straggler daisy in his yard. So, it would seem, that's one way to do it.
If you favor a kinder and gentler approach, I recommend following the advice in this how-to article on how to grow a buffalograss lawn. Particularly pay attention to the advice on ground preparation because, any time you are trying to establish a monoculture, you are going to have to fight invading weeds until your straggler daisy gets well established.
Also, it will probably require supplemental water best growth, particularly while it is getting established. I would avoid any fertilizer application.
You don't say whether you intend to seed the area, put out transplants or just let what's already there spread, but here is a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer about growing straggler daisy from seed that you might find helpful.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Plants for streambank area in Oregon
September 14, 2012 - I am ready to replant a streambank area with native plants..what do you recommend for the Willamette Valley in Oregon? Thanks much!
view the full question and answer
Native plants for memorial garden in Michigan
March 04, 2008 - I want to start a memorial garden for my daughter. I live in northern Michigan and the area has very tall white pines we have pruned them up about 15' so the area does get partial sun. Which plants w...
view the full question and answer
Erosion Control for a Shaded Slope in Aliquippa PA
May 07, 2014 - What plants. shrubs or trees can I plant to retard soil erosion on a steep shaded hillside in PA
view the full question and answer
Goldsturm Rudbeckia Stunted and Doesn't Bloom
April 16, 2015 - I have Goldsturm Rudbeckia that never flowers nor gets taller than 4 inches. Meanwhile, my phlox does fantastic in the same area. This area is sand top dressed with black dirt. Please help! Goldst...
view the full question and answer
Flowering landscape plants for Montgomery TX
March 07, 2013 - Hello I live in Montgomery TX. I am looking for low growing evergreen flowering plants for the front of my three deep beds. The first plant closest to the foundation is loropetalum, then I have a blue...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |