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

Tuesday - July 31, 2007
From: Katy, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Practicality of Cedar Elm and buffalo grass in clay soil in East Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, I live in Katy Texas on what used to be a rice field. The soil either has a lot of clay in it or in places is just solid clay. Will any kind of buffalo grass grow here? I've read that the Cedar Elm does well in clay, would that be a good tree for us? Any help with growing native plants in clay on the Katy prairie would be very appreciated. Thanks!ANSWER:
As long as you have plenty of sunshine, Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss) should do fine in your clay soil in Harris County. There are a number of different varieties available and it would be a good idea to check with a nursery in the area that specializes in native plants to find the best one for your area. You can find those in our National Suppliers Directory. Turffalo, developed by Texas Tech University, has been getting good press, but your best bet is to seek the advice of someone local who has had experience with buffalo grass in your area.Ulmus crassifolia (cedar elm) should also do fine in your clay soils.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Pine bark on non-native St. Augustine grass in Kingwood TX
May 12, 2010 - I had two large Pine trees cut down. In the process of cutting the trees down there is a lot of pine bark from the tree on my St Augustine grass. Will this affect the growth of my grass?
view the full question and answer
Erosion tolerant plants for shade from Kerrville TX
August 06, 2013 - We have just cleared a lot of cedar out of a small draw and would like to know the best groundcovers, shrubs, etc. to plant to hold the soil. Deep shade most of the day.
view the full question and answer
Native plants and grasses for river bank from Rosanky TX
February 19, 2014 - Our property owners association would like to know what native plants/grasses to plant on the Blanco River bank in our river park to help prevent erosion. Some banks are steep and some areas are a gra...
view the full question and answer
Shade tolerant plants for erosion from Austin
May 03, 2014 - I live in Austin and my house backs up to Shoal Creek. I am looking for a native creeping vine or something that will grow on the shaded bank to help prevent erosion. It should be able to tolerate the...
view the full question and answer
Making sod from native grass seeds from Pflugerville TX
April 28, 2012 - I am trying to install a native lawn. A story on KVUE suggested 2 lb Buffalo, 1.5 lb Blue Grama, and 6 oz of Curly Mesquite.
I have some seeds purchased from seedsource.com about 2 years ago. I can...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |