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)
Friday - October 30, 2015
From: Salado, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Straggler Daisy as a Groundcover in Salado, TX
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
I've identified Straggler Daisy or Horseherb as the plant to cover my 20 x 40 partly shady partly sunny lot. Could you provide me with the best method for starting and growing the plant to ensure it would continue to grow until it covers the lot. Thanks in advance.ANSWER:
Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy) is one of Mr. Smarty Plants favorite groundcovers and I'm glad you share that opinion. I have a neighbor who does not. His approach is to try to chop it out, kill it with herbicides and cuss at it till it wilts from embaraasement. The result is that he has a beautiful stand of straggler daisy in his yard. So, it would seem, that's one way to do it.
If you favor a kinder and gentler approach, I recommend following the advice in this how-to article on how to grow a buffalograss lawn. Particularly pay attention to the advice on ground preparation because, any time you are trying to establish a monoculture, you are going to have to fight invading weeds until your straggler daisy gets well established.
Also, it will probably require supplemental water best growth, particularly while it is getting established. I would avoid any fertilizer application.
You don't say whether you intend to seed the area, put out transplants or just let what's already there spread, but here is a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer about growing straggler daisy from seed that you might find helpful.
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Short flowering plant that will grow in sand in Black Creek WI
June 03, 2010 - I would like to know what kind of flowering plant would grow good in sand? A short plant.
view the full question and answer
Late Blooming Wildflowers for Round Rock
August 06, 2014 - I thought this would be a previously answered question but found nothing in the data base. My question is: in Central Texas what can be grown for some color or interest in a wildflower area when the w...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for high traffic area in Pennsylvania
August 01, 2012 - I am wondering if there is a Pennsylvania native turf like grass/plant that can withstand a lot of foot traffic (public area with lots of children). This will be used in a formal setting so will need ...
view the full question and answer
Source for Dichondra from Hillsboro TX
November 26, 2012 - Where can I get dichondra and info about it?
view the full question and answer
Need ground cover plants to grow in the shade a large oak in San Antonio, TX
March 09, 2015 - We have a large backyard in San Antonio covered with live oak and red oak. Since grass does not do well in this shade / bright shade area I would like to plant a low growing ground cover and then add...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |