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 - June 06, 2006
From: Belton, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Problem Plants, Turf
Title: Elimination of non-native, invasive King Ranch bluestem in lawn
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
How can I eliminate an annual infestation of king ranch bluestem in my bermuda lawn? Thanks.ANSWER:
This is not going to be easy since King Ranch, or Plains, Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum) is a perennial and herbicides that are effective on it would also kill your bermudagrass. A study done in Williamson County, Texas, KR Bluestem Management in Bermudagrass Pastures, concluded that present herbicide formulations are not going to do the job. However, tilling the fields damaged the crowns of the KR but did not significantly harm the bermudagrass. You may not want to till your lawn to the extent that would result in damaging the KR bluestem. Your best bet may be to dig it out by hand. This is not a fast solution, nor an easy one. It may take several years to get it under control, but it may be your only choice.
More Problem Plants Questions
Smoking mint instead of tobacco from Fairfield CA
March 23, 2013 - I realize this is a stupid question, but i am a little curious about this.
Anyway I heard more people are smoking mint leaves to help cure their addiction to tobacco and i was wondering if it is s...
view the full question and answer
Repairing the split trunk of a TX mountain laurel
February 28, 2015 - I have a fairly large mountain laurel that I just realized has a split down the trunk. Is there anything I can do to save it?
view the full question and answer
Identity of stinging weed in Pearl, Mississippi
March 20, 2016 - I live in Pearl, MS. Yesterday I pulled a weed that right away started stinging my hand and in a few hours turned into stinging numbness. The weed has dark green heart shaped leaves with purple veins ...
view the full question and answer
Low Water Use Plants for a Pond Island
November 06, 2014 - We have a medium sized pond/tank with a small island covered in black willows. The pond loses a lot of water and we were told it was partially due to the willows. We want to remove them and replace ...
view the full question and answer
What is the plant called wingspan?
September 21, 2014 - I have a lot of environmental allergies and saw a positive result for "wingspan" yet I cannot find ANY information online about that particular plant. I was told it's "tumbleweed" by the medical ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |