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?

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

Thursday - July 07, 2011

From: Ft. Worth, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Controlling Straggler Daisy
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson

QUESTION:

Is there a barrier I can use that will keep Straggler Daisy under control so that I will not be a problem for my neighbors?

ANSWER:

You’ve got a good chance. It’s really nice that you are trying to shield your neighbor.  Mr Smarty Plants happily recommends Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy) most of the time when a native ground cover is requested, but then as I researched this question, it’s clear that there is a general love/hate relationship going on about Horseherb!

In our own Wildflower Center record, it says “Depending on your point of view, Straggler Daisy or Horseherb is a pest or a welcome, shade-tolerant groundcover that tolerates moderate foot traffic.”  Dave’s Garden definitely showed a mixed opinion.  Postings on the Grackel and on Austin Wildflower were definitely a bit more positive.

So, what to do to protect your neighbor?  An earlier question on Mr Smarty Plants received an unusually  civil answer when a general removal using herbicide was discussed. (I must have been feeling easy that day!) 

My preference is much more for the solution mentioned in this discussion on “WherePlantsRule”.  Straggler Daisy propagates through seeds, stolons and rhizomes.  It makes sense that a good thick layer of mulch applied near the fenceline should pretty much either stop the stolons and rhizomes or at least make them really easy to pull.  I’d give this a try!

 

From the Image Gallery


Horseherb
Calyptocarpus vialis

Horseherb
Calyptocarpus vialis

Horseherb
Calyptocarpus vialis

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Looking for native plants for a rain garden in Arlington, TX.
March 12, 2012 - I am looking for native Texas plants that would do well in rain gardens. Do you have any suggestions?
view the full question and answer

Hybridized Indigo Spires having problems in Wimberley, TX
August 19, 2010 - I planted 7 Indigo Spires from one gallon containers in May and now each plant is about 18" tall. 4 of the 7 fell over about 2 weeks are. The plants still look healthy with no dropped or curled leav...
view the full question and answer

Plants for a mixed border in Houston
February 22, 2010 - I live in Houston and have a flowerbed I'd like to fill with plants that will look good year-round. The back is already lined with 6-foot shrubs so nothing like that. I'd like something with colorf...
view the full question and answer

Natives for wet soil in Cincinnati OH
March 21, 2014 - I live in Cincinnati and the soil in my back yard is wet (soggy) all year round. There are moss and grass growing in the yard. The area is shaded in the afternoon but receives sun earlier in the day. ...
view the full question and answer

Riverbank Plants for Minnesota
September 04, 2013 - I would like to stablize a steep riverbank slope along the Upper Mississippi in St. Cloud MN. The slopes are almost 1:1. We are using an open cell concrete matt in which we are going to plant native...
view the full question and answer

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