Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Tuesday - August 07, 2012
From: Elgin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Turf
Title: White mold on Bermuda grass
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I tried searching and could not find info for this on your website. What causes mold in Bermuda grass and how can I get rid of it? Tried fungicide as recommended by garden center in austin which did nothing. HELP! Its white mold at the root and in just one section near patio.ANSWER:
The reason that you didn't find information about bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) on our website is because it is a grass introduced from Africa and our database contains only North American native plants. The reason our database contains only North American natives is because:
"The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes."
You can check the City of Austin "Earth-wise guide to Lawn Problems" for help with non-native grass problems or Google "bermudagrass diseases".
You might like to consider replacing your bermudagrass with a mixture of native turf grasses called Habiturf™. This combination of three native grasses [Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss), Bouteloua gracilis (Blue grama) and Hilaria belangeri (Curly mesquite grass)] was developed and tested at the Wildflower Center. The research conducted by the Wildflower Center on native lawns showed that the Habiturf™ grasses keep weeds out better than bermudagrass and has a greater leaf density. It is very drought tolerant and after it is established needs water only twice a month. It also requires less mowing than bermudagrass. Here's more information about installing Habiturf™–The Ecological Lawn.
More Turf Questions
Native buffalograss in sandy loam
April 19, 2008 - I am in the Austin area and want to plant Native Texas Buffalo Grass in sandy loam from the Colorado River bed. Will this work?
view the full question and answer
Elimination of non-native, invasive King Ranch bluestem in lawn
June 06, 2006 - How can I eliminate an annual infestation of king ranch bluestem in my bermuda lawn?
Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Pine bark on non-native St. Augustine grass in Kingwood TX
May 12, 2010 - I had two large Pine trees cut down. In the process of cutting the trees down there is a lot of pine bark from the tree on my St Augustine grass. Will this affect the growth of my grass?
view the full question and answer
Source for Habiturf sod in Central Texas
October 02, 2015 - Do you know any source for Habiturf sod in Central Texas? I contacted Blade Runner Farms and they replied that their Habiturf project was discontinued.
view the full question and answer
Calyptocarpus vialis, Horseherb, for shady, mowable lawn
April 06, 2007 - Graham, Texas, Heavily wooded. Too shady for St. Augustine grass. Need mowable ground cover near house. Have heard of something called horsewort, but not able to find anything about it.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |