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 - August 02, 2012
From: Wimberley, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Transplanting Muhly grass in late summer from Wimberley TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Can I transplant Muhly grass in July/August?ANSWER:
There are 24 muhly grasses native to Texas. We selected Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Lindheimer's muhly) to do some research on, because, according to this USDA Plant Profile Map, it is native to Hays County. That does not mean that other muhly grasses won't grow in Hays County, or that Lindheimer's muhly won't grow anywhere else, it just gives us a known native to use an example as we start our research.
First, personally, we would say we wouldn't want to plant anything in late Summer in Central Texas. Both plant and planter could well drop dead in the heat and drought. But, we could find no firm confirmation of our view one way or the other. We did find, in various sources on the grass, the following statements on propagation.
"Propagate muhly grasses by seed or by dividing the root mass in the dormant season."
"Propagation: Divide plants or sow seeds in Spring."
"From seed, direct sow after last frost."'
We think the determinant is how much you want to plant. If you are covering a large area with the grass, it would probably be better to wait. If you are planting one or two clumps as ornamentals, you could do it early in the morning (mind the mosquitoes!), and then water. Even a drought hardy grass is going to need some watering early in its transplantation. This comes down to a use your own judgment call.
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Native turf grass for Arlington, VA.
September 10, 2015 - Hi, could you please provide me with a recommendation for a native turf grass to plant in a large commercial area in Arlington, Virginia. Currently Kentucky 31 is being used, but we would like to iden...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for a Texas dog run
November 02, 2015 - What ground cover do you recommend for a residential dog run located under a pergola in high limestone soil at White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas?
view the full question and answer
Removing Purple Top Tridens out of Mt Pleasant Texas
April 07, 2011 - We would like to know how to kill these Purple Top Triden out of our garden. Thanks, Judy
view the full question and answer
Bunch grasses for labyrinth that are good for livestock
September 29, 2013 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I'm designing an outdoor labyrinth that will be in full sun in our black Slidell clay soil here in north central Texas. The area MAY be mowed for hay at a later date (i.e...
view the full question and answer
Native grasses and turf grass for VA
February 08, 2012 - I recently moved to Blacksburg, Virginia. I am becoming involved with a church here that recently started a grounds committee. There is some discussion within the group of which varieties of native ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |