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.

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?

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

2 ratings

Saturday - February 27, 2010

From: Kerrville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: When and how to mow native grass in Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Mark Simmons

QUESTION:

We live on a ranch near Kerrville. The grass is sparse KR, purple three-awn and some Texas wintergrass. How and when is the best way and time to mow this native grass?

ANSWER:

Nassella leucotricha (Texas wintergrass) and Aristida purpurea (purple threeawn) are native grasses, but Bothriochloa ischaemum (King Ranch or KR Bluestem) is not a native and is considered to be seriously invasive.

Mowing anytime time of year will encourage grass growth. If you want to encourage the wintergrass, then mow in summer. To encourage the threeawn, mow in winter. Unfortunately, mowing either time will probably favor the KR over the other two grasses. If your KR is sparse, this might be a good time to consider some control measures—either mechanical or herbicide application. You can read a discussion of control measures for KR bluestem in the answer to a previous Mr. Smarty Plants question.