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 - November 17, 2011
From: Florence, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Drought Tolerant, Turf, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Drought tolerant grass with little need for mowing for Hill Country of Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What grass would you recommend for the hill country of Texas that is drought tolerant and does not need frequent mowing?ANSWER:
HABITURF™ is the grass for you! It is a mixture of three native grasses—Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss), Bouteloua gracilis (Blue grama) and Hilaria belangeri (Curly mesquite grass). The Wildflower Center has been developing this grass mixture since 2007. Once established it requires little water and little mowing. It likes full sun but will do well in areas that get sun 50% of the time. For more information about its features, starting and maintaining it, please read the brochure and our How to Article, Native Lawns: Multi-species. Seeds are available at Douglas King Company and Native American Seed (under the name "Thunder Turf").
More Turf Questions
Lawn grass for Erath County, TX
October 02, 2012 - We live in Erath County in TX on ranch land. We are relatively dry. Our soil is combination of clay and red soil (brought in for building pad), and sandy. We have a sloped area, about 30%, that we w...
view the full question and answer
Brown ryegrass in Austin lawn
June 03, 2008 - We had rye grass planted in our yard last fall. It was beautiful all winter. Now it is brown but the St. Augustine has not yet taken over, so there are large portions of the lawn with an abundance o...
view the full question and answer
Native Grasses for Houston, TX
April 06, 2015 - What native grasses can I use for my lawn in Houston, TX? It appears that Habiturf is not recommended for our climate. Is there another variety of seed available yet that I can use to start a small ...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating bluebonnets from lawn
December 05, 2009 - I need to know the best way to eliminate bluebonnets which are growing in my yard. My HOA is pursuing legal action against me to prevent me growing the plants. I can't afford to "resod" my yard. Ca...
view the full question and answer
Low-growing lawn substitute for Pennsylvania
March 19, 2008 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants
Please help. We are moving to an old farm house in Western Pennsylvania with several acres of lawn. Our plan is to return much of the land to wildlife friendly meadows and woo...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |