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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - March 17, 2012
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Purchase sources of Buffalograss from Corpus Christi TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I've heard a lot of good things about Buffalograss, but no one in my area seems to carry it. One grower actually told me it didn't grow well here and recommended St. Augustine Floratam instead. Is he just trying to make a sale, or is the Floratam a better grass for this area?ANSWER:
In our How-To Articles we have articles written by experts here at the Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants. We want to refer you to these articles, which should tell you how some of the native grasses do in various parts of the state, and what their sunlight and shade requirements are.
As a side note, we cannot make recommendations on the St. Augustine Floratam. St. Augustine is not native to North America and is a water guzzler of the first order. With drought and heat a frequent condition in Texas, we are recommending native, low water use grasses to be used wherever conditions are appropriate. Most of them need more sun than St. Augustine, but much less water.
Native Lawns: Habiturf - the Ecological Lawn Under "Frequently Asked Questions" on this website are links to two suppliers of this seed.
Whether it will do well in Corpus Christi, we don't know, not being familiar with the amount of sun you have on your propety; however, both of the seed suppliers we have referred you to should be able to help you with that. Here is the page from the online catalog of Native American Seed on Buffalograss.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Rhizobium sources for bluebonnets
March 25, 2008 - Where can you buy Rhizobium for your bluebonnet seeds?
view the full question and answer
Milkweed species for Central Texas
February 11, 2015 - What milkweed should I plant in the flood plain behind my house on Brushy Creek.
view the full question and answer
Growing non-native bay leaf plant from Elyria OH
May 04, 2010 - I was wondering if the bay leaf plant is native and how hard it is to grow? I am so tired of buying expensive bay leaf in the store and want to do it myself.
view the full question and answer
Where to purchase a Clematis pitcherii (purple leather flower) in North Texas
March 01, 2011 - Do you know where in north Texas I can purchase a Clematis pitcheri, or Purple leather flower? I've looked for several years and have had no luck.
Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Wisconsin Ground Cover for Acid Soil
July 09, 2012 - What type of native wisconsin ground cover plants do best on acidic bare areas under pine trees such as blue spruce?...and where is best source for these plants or seeds?
Thanks so much for your help
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |