Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - April 28, 2012

From: Sarasota, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Non-monoculture turf grass for Florida from Sarasota FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I am looking for a non-monoculture turf grass suitable for the Florida climate. Will Habiturf work, or perhaps you have some other suggestions? Please advise.

ANSWER:

Here is our How-To Article on Native Lawns: Habiturf-The Ecological Lawn. You will note that on the top of the page is this statement: "NATIVE LAWNS: HABITURF™ A MULTI-SPECIES MIX FOR NORTH, WEST AND CENTRAL TEXAS"

  I believe that answers your question on whether it would grow in Florida. That is actually the only seed mix we have on our website. Lawn grasses are always a difficulty, especially native ones. There is also the question of soils, sunlight, traffic tolerance, etc. We suggest you contact the University of Florida Extension Office for Sarasota County.

 

 

 

 

 

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions

Native grass to replace St. Augustine in Houston
July 18, 2009 - I read your answer to the question on the Houston Chronicle's website in relation to watering St. Augustine grass. You referred to St. Augustine as non-native, but from what I can gather St. Augusti...
view the full question and answer

Wildflower meadow for birds
September 19, 2008 - I put in a wildflower feed plot for the song birds 3 years ago. We prepared the bed by first using Round Up to kill all the grass then lightly tilled to scratch the surface and planted the wildflower ...
view the full question and answer

Native plants for a bioswale in Baltimore
July 22, 2009 - What native plants would suit a bioswale in an urban part of Baltimore City? The clay soil gets waterlogged and the site has part shade.
view the full question and answer

Overseeding sprig planting of native grass in Kansas
September 12, 2009 - Can I overseed a Sprig planting of native grass in Kansas in the Fall?
view the full question and answer

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

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