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

Wednesday - October 28, 2009

From: Jonestown, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants for seeping hillside and muddy bottom area
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

We live on the north side of Lake Travis. About half acre of our property is currently planted with natives. The other half consists of a huge limestone ledge, a steep slope with little soil that seeps water when we get enough rain, and a very flat bottom-slope area with more exposed limestone and soil in some parts. The bottom area is full of King Ranch bluestem, a cedar elm and 3 mesquite. Any suggestions for what to use on the slope that seeps or to put in the bottom area that stays muddy after rain? We don't irrigate. Thanks so much!

ANSWER:

The amount of sunlight will be important for what will grow best in your two areas.  Check the 'Growing Conditions' on the species pages to compare with your sites.

Here are some suggestions for the bottom area:

Andropogon glomeratus (bushy bluestem) sun

Equisetum hyemale (scouringrush horsetail) sun, part shade, shade

Helianthus maximiliani (Maximilian sunflower) sun

Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) sun, part shade

Asclepias asperula (spider milkweed) sun

Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Lindheimer's muhly) sun

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) part shade, shade

For the slope that seeps:

Adiantum capillus-veneris (common maidenhair) part shade, shade

Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine) part shade, shade

Melica nitens (threeflower melicgrass) part shade

Tradescantia gigantea (giant spiderwort) sun, part shade

Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye) sun, part shade

Woodsia obtusa (bluntlobe cliff fern) sun, part shade, shade

Pellaea ovata (ovateleaf cliffbrake) sun

Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama) sun, part shade

You can see more possibilities by choosing 'Hill Country Horticulture' under Just for Central Texas on Recommended Species page and then using the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to limit your results to plants that grow in 'Moist' and/or 'Wet' soil.


Andropogon glomeratus

Helianthus maximiliani

Asclepias asperula

Chasmanthium latifolium

Adiantum capillus-veneris

Aquilegia canadensis

Pellaea ovata

Bouteloua curtipendula

 

 

 

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions

Controlling switchgrass in Fredericksburg TX
June 12, 2010 - How do you kill switch grass..too much has grown on our property. Originally planted to stop erosion due to oak wilted trees lost on hill behind house, which worked,but now it is everywhere.
view the full question and answer

Grasses for shady areas
November 24, 2013 - I would like to know which grasses would grow in mostly shady part of the house.
view the full question and answer

Need help with lawn that was sodded with Buffalo Grass in Dallas, TX.
March 20, 2012 - I had buffalo sod put down last March. It greened up beautifully until weeds just about covered it up. I tried hand pulling. My landscaper showed up with something that appeared to damage the buffa...
view the full question and answer

Need name of company with experience in Habiturf installation in Round Rock, TX.
January 24, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I read the article about "NATIVE LAWNS: HABITURF™ A MULTI-SPECIES MIX FOR NORTH, WEST AND CENTRAL TEXAS" Do you know any landscape companies/groups in Austin - Round Ro...
view the full question and answer

Corn gluten on Habiturf from Austin
January 25, 2014 - I live in Central Austin. This past Spring 2013) I replaced my San Augustine lawn with Habiturf. My question concerns corn gluten. It is usually applied in late Jan - mid Feb. Would using corn glu...
view the full question and answer

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