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

Thursday - March 08, 2012

From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Turf, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Planting Habiturf in Houston, TX>
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

First, I want to say thank you for such an informative site. You say that the Buffalograsses tend to do well in drier and well drained soil. My house has a lawn that drops about 10 inches in about 20 feet. I live in Houston and the predictions for this year are that we will have below average rainfall. What would be your take on the chances of Buffalograss lawn doing "well" in these conditions? Thank you,

ANSWER:


Thank you for the kind words. There are some truly dedicated workers, both staff and volunteers, here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

First lets clear up a mis-conception; when we talk about “well drained soil” we are talking about the water percolating down through the soil, not running down a slope. Here are a couple of links that illustrate this point:
walter reeves.com

acupofhot.blogspot.com

As more and more people are looking at Buffalo grass and Habiturf for their lawns, we are getting more questions about these grasses. Here are a couple of previously answered questions from Houston that may be helpful to you.

#7752

#7750

 

 

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions

Need plants for a slope in KY.
September 29, 2012 - I have a slope in my back yard that is mostly a slate shelf, grass and Weeds will grow but not well, very spotty. I am wanting a ground cover that blooms. Would like to not have to mow. This is a ve...
view the full question and answer

Native water plants for bio-retention pond in North Carolina
July 22, 2009 - I am looking for North Carolina native plants that can take part shade and very wet conditions (bioretention pond environment). Any suggestions?
view the full question and answer

The effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on tall grass species
January 25, 2009 - I have a question about some established native grass areas that we have on our golf course in eastern Missouri. For the past eight or nine years we have been working hard to transition these areas f...
view the full question and answer

Will Habiturf thrive in Houston?
July 31, 2012 - Will Habiturf grow in partial sun? My lawn is surrounded by trees so that there is only about an hour each day with direct overhead sun. The rest of the day there is a light shade.
view the full question and answer

Indian Paintbrush outnumbering our Bluebonnets this year.
May 26, 2015 - We noticed we have more Indian paintbrush than bluebonnets in our front yard this year. Our issue is we also have more spear grass than normal. Is there a way to control this grass without killing th...
view the full question and answer

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