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

Tuesday - October 15, 2013

From: Cedar Park, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, User Comments, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Comment on previous answer from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Ms Bradford, You just answered my question about St. Augustine grass.. actually, you didn't answer it.. You said "sorry, wrong number". Very funny. I think you misunderstood... I would rather not have St. Augustine sod put down after the work is done, but I have no choice. My entire yard is St. Augustine (not my choice). So the small area where the work is being done (repair of a serious drainage issue), must be replaced with the same grass as the rest of my yard.. as required by my HOA. I don't have a choice. And, no, I can't afford to xeriscape my entire yard.. I don't have the money. I'm barely able to afford the repair work. I would really appreciate an answer to my question... at this time of year, how long will it take the St. Augustine roots to become established, so as not to be killed by a frost?

ANSWER:

We are truly sorry, but if you are constrained by an HOA, there is not much we can do for you. We will, however, refer you to a website from Texas A&M which does have a lot of information on that grass. That will be much better information for you; since the grass is non-native we have no information on it.

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Drooping leaves on iris in Phenix City, AL
May 02, 2009 - I had a bed FULL of iris rhizomes so I thinned them out and made two beds. They flowered perfectly but some of the flower stalks and some of the leaves began drooping over. The flowering is over. The ...
view the full question and answer

Penta and licorice plants for Austin
May 04, 2009 - For Austin location Are you familiar with a small flowering plant called Penta? How about Licorice? If yes, could you provide growing conditions. Thanks
view the full question and answer

Will Mountain Laurels be harmed by juglones from my pecan tree?
May 06, 2009 - Hi. I just bought a house. It has a big pecan tree at the edge of the front lawn next to the street. I guess it's about 25 feet from the front of the house. I was thinking of planting mountain la...
view the full question and answer

Replacing St. Augustine with native grass in Austin
February 24, 2012 - We are renting a house our Sister-in-law owns- the St Augustine is in tough shape, drought and lack of care over the years. Could we plant a native grass or do we have to pull up the remaining St. Aug...
view the full question and answer

Care of non-native, hybrid petunias
August 31, 2004 - I have a beautiful Petunia Tiny Tunia Violet plant which has been flowering nicely (in sun and shade environment). Suddenly, a few days ago, it began to look like it's dying--stalks all dried out. Is...
view the full question and answer

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