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)
Sunday - May 16, 2010
From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Turf
Title: Native grass for lawn in Round Rock, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am interested in your recommendation for the grass at my home. I currently have St. Augustine but have become very aggravated by it. I am looking for a low maintenance grass that I can replace it with. I have read one article under the Q&A section about mixing blue grama, curly mesquite, and buffalo grass. I actually have been thinking of going this route. What do you suggest. My main issue with St. Augustine is it dies very easily, and I cannot control the weeds.ANSWER:
If your lawn is sunny, then we would highly recommend the mixture of Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss), Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama) and Hilaria belangeri (curly-mesquite). This is the mixture that the Wildflower Center research has shown to work best for native lawns for grass density and for keeping out weeds. You can find seeds for sale at Native American Seed in Junction, Texas. You might want to consider their Thunder Turf mix which includes these three native sun turf grasses. Native American Seed has another mix, Native Sun Turfgrass, that includes just the buffalograss and the blue grama. You can also buy each of these grasses separately. I recommend that you read our How to Article, Native Lawns: Multi-species, that has specific instructions for establishing your native lawn with specifics on watering, mowing and feeding it. You might also want to read Native American Seed's article, Planting Tips for Native Grasses, for information on removing your St. Augustine as well as caring for your new native lawn. If your lawn is not sunny, then I recommend that you read the answer to a recent question suggesting plants for a shaded lawn in Austin.
More Turf Questions
Low sedge for lawn in Bakersfield, CA
June 19, 2009 - We have a small area for a lawn, but would like to get away from a traditional "lawn". Can you recommend a sedge grass that would act like a lawn (not much foot traffic)that can be mowed once in a w...
view the full question and answer
Need help with an invasive ground cover type plant filling in damaged areas in lawn.
November 25, 2009 - Since the drought this summer, there is an invasive ground cover type plant filling in the damaged areas in my lawn . It is dark greenish/purplish very small clover type plant, difficult to pull up an...
view the full question and answer
Bermuda grass and St. Augustine for lawn in Hawaii
June 21, 2009 - Is bermuda grass and st.augustine grass a good mixture for my backyard lawn?
view the full question and answer
Growth of non-native bermudagrass in Snelville GA
July 16, 2011 - How do you grow Bermuda grass successfully in the state of Georgia? Techniques in fertilization, lawn cutting and general maintenance. Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Difficult lawn redo in Austin, TX area.
April 01, 2010 - In Oak Hill section of Austin and our 2 year old house had St Augustine dumped atop the raped soil. After the drought of 09 it is all dead. We have most of our large yard native but need grass aroun...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |