Native Plants
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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.
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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Wednesday - September 03, 2008
From: Huntsville, AL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: TIF 419 Bermudagrass vs. Zoysia
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I'm currently faced with the decision to sod my yard with TIF 419 or Zoysia. Zoysia is double the price so my knee jerk reaction is to go with Bermuda. Proponents of Zoysia claim it requires less mowing then other grasses and will choke out weeds. Does TIFF 419 posses similar characteristics in regard to infrequent mowing and a reasonable ability to choke out weeds once established? Thanks for your time.ANSWER:
Sorry, you came to the wrong place to ask about that. Both grasses are non-native to North America. At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center we specialize in the use and propagation of plants native to North America and to the area in which they are being grown, because they will need less water, fertilizer and maintenance. For possible alternatives, please see our How-To Articles on Using Native Plants and Native Lawns. If you decide to "go native" get back to us and we'll see what other help we can offer you.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
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November 03, 2007 - I am looking for plants that would be suitable for a ZEN style garden in North Carolina
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April 06, 2006 - Xeriscaping in clay (Fort Worth) on a slope --
Please offer suggestions and publications.
Thanks
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August 17, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have been establishing a wildflower meadow in Greenville, SC. Our current wildflowers are:
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Plants for a sunny sloped roadside in Ohio
May 31, 2010 - I am looking for a solution to a slope that cannot be easily mowed. Our yard is flat until you get about 15 feet from the road at which point it angles up to a small 5 foot area next to the road. I ...
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Native grasses for golf courses from Austin
October 06, 2013 - I may be working on two different golf courses and wanted to know if any native or hybrid native grasses would work for the fairways and rough areas?
The rough areas are no problem as a number of ...
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