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

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 Grasses or Grass-like Questions
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
Erosion control in Spicewood TX
March 20, 2013 - I am from a small community along the Colorado River a few miles East of Marble Falls. We are looking for a ground cover/grass to prevent erosion on on our beach front. We had planned to use Bermuda G...
view the full question and answer
Alternative for HABITURF® in Los Angeles County, CA
December 04, 2014 - The Habiturf brochure has a map indicating appropriate locales for growing this lawn. Excluded from the appropriate range is Southern California, where I live. Is Habiturf not recommended for this reg...
view the full question and answer
Planting from pots in summer in Austin
July 01, 2009 - It's the last week in June and temperatures are going to be at 100 or more all week. I've some plants that I'm wondering about transplanting to an exposed site in this heat: muhlenbergeria lindheim...
view the full question and answer
Comparison of native turf with St. Augustine and Kentucky bluegrass
May 11, 2011 - The native turf page mentions outperforming Bermuda grass, St. Augustine, and Kentucky blue, but the graphs only compare the natives to Bermudagrass. How do the native mixes stand up to St. Augustine...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |