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 - July 26, 2008
From: Pflugerville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Is nimblewil (Muhlenbergia schreberi) a turf grass or a weed
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Mark Simmons
QUESTION:
Mr. SP, I have seen nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) both promoted as a turf grass and disparaged as an invasive pest. Do you have an opinion on this grass and whether/where/how it should be used?ANSWER:
Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill) is a beautiful grass, very fine and "featherlike". It tends to grow in areas which get some additional moisture (seep). We've often thought it would make an excellent lawn grass/ground cover, but it remains untested as to how it would stand up to foot traffic and mowing. Our experience with all the other native turfgrasses we're testing is that they all can form a great looking lawn depending on your aesthetic. I would guess that nimblewill would be fine as long as it is left relatively long (perhaps 6" since it has a decumbent growth form) and has little traffic.You may have read some of these already, but here are some other descriptions and/or opinions about nimblewill from:
Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Brown rings on grass under live oaks in Austin
June 13, 2013 - There are brown rings in the grass at the dripline on several Live Oak trees in our neighborhood. What causes this? The trees appear healthy.
view the full question and answer
Need some help with a Buffalo grass planting in Salado, TX
October 23, 2009 - Recently we planted buffalo grass sod in the spring of 2007. During the summer I had a problem with barnyard grass due to a lot of rain. During 2008 I had a problem with nut grass. I had been advise...
view the full question and answer
Problems with Habiturf in Austin
May 10, 2014 - I have been trying to establish a Habiturf lawn in my back yard. It is approximately a 1,000 square foot area and this last seeding was the third over about one and a half years. I just recently over ...
view the full question and answer
Sheet mulching before planting Habiturf from Grand Prairie, TX
March 03, 2014 - Have you tried sheet mulching as a bed prep and to kill bermuda grass before planting habituff?
view the full question and answer
Plants for erosion control in Pittsburgh, PA
August 22, 2009 - I have a terraced high side lot(front of house). I currently have Yuccas growing, but they are too invasive. Can you suggest plants, shrubs, or ground covers that are not as invasive and will still ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |