Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - April 25, 2009

From: Jonesboro, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Preparing to plant buffalograss in Jonesboro, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Our current lawn is full of broad-leaf weeds, KR bluestem, a little native grass, lots of wildflowers and in spots, lots of rocks . We are in the country in Hamilton Co., TX. We want to plant buffalo grass. Four questions: Should we buy Texoka or Topgun seed? What do we need to do to prepare the soil? Do we need to add soil to cover the rocks? If we wait until after the bluebonnets seed, will that be too late for the grass seed to get established?

ANSWER:

Concerning which grass mix to purchase, you might go to the Native American Seed Online Catalog and look at their grasses and grass mixes.  Their Native Sun Turfgrass mix is 66% Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss) and 34% Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama). This company can also provide you with planting instructions, amount to plant and does mail order.

The rest of your questions can be addressed by reading our How-To Article Native Lawns: Buffalograss.


Bouteloua dactyloides

 


Bouteloua gracilis
 

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Source for seed of Blackfoot Daisy from Amarillo TX
October 29, 2011 - I need help finding Melampodium leucanthum seed. I have spent the last few hours on the web searching for them. I checked the resources in your lists and cannot find seed. I live in Potter Coun...
view the full question and answer

Source of Dalea greggii seeds
March 14, 2008 - I want to purchase Gregg Dalea seeds. Where can I order them?
view the full question and answer

Source for purchase of native Salvia texana
February 23, 2007 - Good morning, Do you or do you know someone who carries Salvia texana? It has been impossible for me to obtain this beautiful Native Texan. Please respond at your earliest convenience with infor...
view the full question and answer

Source for Bigelow oak in Austin
February 03, 2010 - Hi folks! I noticed on my last visit to the Wildflower Center that you now have a shrub white oak/Bigelow oak which I think is new (maybe I was just seeing it for the first time). I absolutely love ...
view the full question and answer

Sources for ruellia from Houston
January 19, 2014 - I want to get a bunch of either ruellia nudiflora or ruellia drummondiana in my butterfly garden. But I cannot find it anywhere, and I have no idea where to get plants or seeds. Seems most vendors...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.