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

Saturday - April 21, 2012

From: Royse City, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Laws, Wildflowers
Title: Legal to mow wildflowers in HOA in Royse City, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

We live out in the country in Rockwall County, Texas. Is it legal to mow the wildflowers on our 2 acre lots? The HOA documents we committed to require the homesites to be maintained, but there is disagreement if wildflowers (non-Blubonnets)are protected or not. Please help us. Thank you!

ANSWER:

We can safely tell you we know of no state laws that mandate mowing or not mowing wildflowers. On the other hand, as you say, you have committed to following the HOA rules. If there are no legal restrictions one way or the other, you are probably stuck with mowing when the HOA says to. Your best bet is to contact the managing group of the HOA and raise the question, based on the fact that preservation of native wildflowers is very important, and avoiding mowing until seeds have dropped will permit the continuation of those wildflowers.

Just in case there are some local or county rules, or even rules from the Highway Department, that might alter the situation, we suggest you contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Service for Rockwall County.

 

More Plant Laws Questions

Taking plants to Alaska
August 31, 2011 - I am moving from California to Alaska, can I take live plants?
view the full question and answer

City tree ordinance information
January 10, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am writing to you in regards to city tree ordinances. I am a citizen of Grand Prairie, TX. and although the city is a Tree City, the city does not have a tree ordinance. T...
view the full question and answer

Regulations for transporting plants to Texas from Florida
July 29, 2008 - We are relocating to TX from FL, I have a collection of potted palm trees and quite a few potted tropical plants (none are invasive)that I would like to bring with us, we will be traveling by car and ...
view the full question and answer

Definition of "Weed Laws"
January 14, 2007 - What are weed laws?
view the full question and answer

Low, Easy Care Perennials for Lake Ontario Shore Planting
October 04, 2015 - I'm on Lake Ontario in New York. I have a lake bank slope, that’s about 1/8 mile long and about 40 feet high, and is on about a 40 degree angle. It is very hard to keep clear. The bank has just been ...
view the full question and answer

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