Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Sunday - April 22, 2007
From: Bastrop, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Turf
Title: Mixing of bluebonnets and buffalograss in a lawn
Answered by: Damon Waitt
QUESTION:
I have moved into a house with a yard full of weeds. I would like to plant Buffalograss but understand Buffalograss is sparce and difficult to keep the weeds out. So, I was considering mixing it with Bluebonnet seeds to choke out those weeds. What do you think?ANSWER:
Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss) is an attractive, fine-textured, low-water-use native grass that grows throughout the Great Plains from Minnesota to Montana and south into Mexico. It is well-adapted to areas receiving 15 to 30 inches of thorough, but infrequent rains, usually in April and May.Weeds invariably appear after seeding or plugging Buffalograss and controlling them is one of the most difficult problems in establishing Buffalograss. Mr Smarty Plants likes your bluebonnet idea because bluebonnets look great in a Buffalograss lawn but it is doubtful that they will help control the weeds.
The best way to control weeds is to water and mow correctly. While established Buffalograss will survive summer droughts without supplemental water, it will go dormant. To keep your Buffalograss green during the summer, it must receive 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
To get the full story on Buffalo grass, download the Native Lawns how to article.
More Turf Questions
Native replacement for non-native Bermudagrass in Leander TX
October 16, 2011 - We have Bermuda grass. Large patches have died due to the drought and our yard has been taken over by weeds and St. Augustine grass whose seeds must have blown in. Even when the grass was in great con...
view the full question and answer
Drought tolerant grass with little need for mowing for Hill Country of Texas
November 17, 2011 - What grass would you recommend for the hill country of Texas that is drought tolerant and does not need frequent mowing?
view the full question and answer
How much shade will Thunder Turf (Habiturf) take?
March 20, 2016 - How much shade will Thunder Turf take?
view the full question and answer
Native grasses for central Georgia
August 06, 2011 - We've just bought a 1990 circa house in Dallas, Georgia. It sits on a .62 acre lot. One half of the lot is woods, the rest is lawn. The lawn is covered mostly with weeds and wild strawberries.
...
view the full question and answer
Lawn Maintenance in Colorado
March 20, 2010 - When do I begin to fertilize and water my grass in Colorado Springs? I am selling my house and want my lawn to look green?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |