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_10.gif)
Wednesday - May 01, 2013
From: Smithville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Pests, Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Removing bermudagrass from buffalograss in Smithville TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have a lawn created two years ago with buffalo grass sod in Smithville, TX. Recently several areas of bermudagrass have started to flourish in the buffalo grass lawn. Can you recommend a herbicide that will eliminate or minimize the bermudagrass without killing the buffalo grass?ANSWER:
Begin by reading From our How-to Article Native Lawns: Buffalograss to see if you planted Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss) in enough sun (needs 6 hours or more of sun a day), prepared the lawn properly by clearing out weeds, etc. Also notice the last two paragraphs saying that you need mow only once a year, and also not to water too much because that encourages bermudagrass. Also follow the plant link to our webpage on this native grass to learn other characteristics. According to this USDA Plant Profile Map, buffalograss does grow natively in Bastrop County, TX. We always check on that to ensure that climate, soils and rainfall are suitable for the plant in question.
A previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer will help you with the separation of the bermudagrass and the buffalograss.
For more information, go to this UC Integrated Pest Management site on Bermudagrass. One thing in particular you must know: Both buffalograss and bermudagrass are members of the Poaceae (grass) family; therefore, both are monocots. There are herbicides which kill only monocots and those that kill only dicots. There are also herbicides which will scorch the earth and kill anything it touches. Use none of the above.
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Native grasses and turf grass for VA
February 08, 2012 - I recently moved to Blacksburg, Virginia. I am becoming involved with a church here that recently started a grounds committee. There is some discussion within the group of which varieties of native ...
view the full question and answer
Weedy buffalo grass from Dripping Springs, TX
March 07, 2013 - I have a buffalo grass lawn. It is thin and filled with weeds. I would like to find a solution to improve my lawn. I prefer a native grass but I need to be able to control the weeds and I am not ph...
view the full question and answer
Properties of Nolina species
November 16, 2010 - I bought two plants that were labeled "Nolina" but one has round leaves and the other has flat leaves with serrations. Are they two different species? Also, can they be divided or is there only on...
view the full question and answer
Ground covers for a shady spot in central Texas
February 23, 2016 - I reside in Austin, Texas and need advice on my xeriscaping project. Portions of my front yard have always been a challenge to get grass to grow, so I have xeriscaped that area with Fairland Pink gran...
view the full question and answer
Low-growing grass for steep hill in Austin
February 10, 2010 - I'm looking for a low-growing grass for a steep hill in my backyard. My issues are it can't be mowed because the hill is too steep, it can't be trimmed with a weed eater because it's a very large...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |