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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Thursday - February 11, 2010
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflower Center
Title: Update on Wildflower Center's Turffalo plot
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Julie Krosley
QUESTION:
Hi, I was wondering if you can provide an update about the Turffalo grass installed at the Wildflower Center? The last update was June 26, 2009. We are investigating options for a lawn in South Austin with partial shade/partial sun so the Shadow Turf from Turffalo seemed like it may be a good option since other types of buffalograss state they go dormant in shade. Our lawn is also slightly sloped. If you have other recommendations for this type of site, that is also appreciated. Thank you!ANSWER:
Here is an update on the Turffalo plot from Julie Krosley, our senior horticulturist:"Since June of 2009, I can report the Turffalo did fill in. It never got really dense though and presently it is thin and slightly weedy. I am in the process of hand weeding it with my volunteers and plan on putting corn gluten on it early next week. I still stand by my earlier statement that I don't think the Turffalo is any more weed resistant or dense than other varieties of buffalo. I don't know how Shadow Turf performs so I can't comment on that.
I am excited by the studies that Mark Simmons has done on the different native lawn mixes and I would encourage you to come out and look at the test plots and read our 'how to' article on native lawns. I am beginning to think that this is maybe a better way to go instead of a monoculture lawn, even a native one such as buffalo grass"
To find the article about Dr. Mark Simmons's research on native lawn grass mixes click here.
You can also read the How to Article: Native Lawns.
To read previous questions and answers about Turffalo, visit the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants home page and enter 'turffalo' in the "Keyword Search" box.
More Wildflower Center Questions
Source for Signs at the Wildflower Center
January 24, 2011 - Hello. Where can we buy the black, metallic plant identification tags used at the Wildflower Center?
Thanks in advance.
view the full question and answer
Information about person who handles invasive species at the Wildflower Center
October 01, 2015 - Would you please provide me a name, phone, and email address, of the person in your office who handles invasive species?
Thanks,
view the full question and answer
Epiphyte growing on oak trees in Wildflower Center
June 16, 2006 - Thank you for your response to my question on what is the epiphyte growing on oak trees.
I should have been more specific to say " the epiphyte growing on the oak trees around Lady Bird Johnson wi...
view the full question and answer
Plant growing in mid-September at Wildflower Center
September 18, 2009 - Would you please identify the pink/mauve composite flower growing in the members garden. A large grouping is growing in the bed between the center bed and the pathway up to the demonstration gardens.
...
view the full question and answer
When does Ziziphus obtusifolia leaf and flower in Austin?
March 22, 2010 - Hello Mr. S.P.,
Do you know when the Texas buckthorn, Ziziphus obtusifolia (I believe), flowers (and leafs out) in Austin? Is there one at the Wildflower Center?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |