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
Monday - November 17, 2003
From: Brenham, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seasonal Tasks, Wildflowers
Title: Optimum mowing time for acreage with spring wildflowers
Answered by: Stephen Brueggerhoff
QUESTION:
I have several acres where wildflowers grow in the spring, & would like to know when and how often to mow this field for optimum blooms?ANSWER:
To ensure that you promote optimum blooms from your wildflower meadow, it is recommended not to mow until all the wildflowers have bloomed and most of the seeds have dropped. Leave the clippings to increase the chance of enhanced native plant population for the future. If you have unwanted plants that are threatening to out-compete your wildflowers and grasses, you may have to perform selective trimming or cutting before the actual mowing of the meadow. Some native plants, like native grasses, in your meadow will also influence when and how you mow. You can read and download much more about "Wildflower Meadow Gardening" from our Native Plant Library, a service of the Wildflower Center’s Native Plant Information Network.
More Wildflowers Questions
Earliest spring wildflower from Richardson TX
September 29, 2009 - What spring wildflower is consistently among the first to bloom in North Texas?"
view the full question and answer
Raising bluebonnets in Stanford CA
January 17, 2011 - I'm a Houston girl now living in Northern California (Stanford). I would like to know if I need to adjust my growing timing for lupinus texensis? Mostly, I want to know when I should actually put th...
view the full question and answer
Perennials for flower bed in Humble TX
July 28, 2010 - I have a 10 foot by 10 foot flower bed that needs to be replanted and I am located in Houston, TX so what would be some good perennials to plant that are good to grow in this heat? I have been told L...
view the full question and answer
Replacing non-native invasives with native grasses and wildflowers from Round Rock TX
April 04, 2012 - I have a small piece of property (1.5 AC) East of Austin, Texas that get's overgrown with weedy vegetation (johnson grass, dandelion, and some tall yellow flowering plant that I see all over the medi...
view the full question and answer
What about the Bluebonnets at Muleshoe Bend Recreational Area in Spicewood, TX ?
April 27, 2015 - We had heard about vast field of bluebonnets out at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area - an LCRA park in Spicewood. We went out today and there are indeed vast fields . . . all where Lake Travis would be ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |