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 - April 22, 2007
From: Bastrop, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Turf
Title: Mixing of bluebonnets and buffalograss in a lawn
Answered by: Damon Waitt
QUESTION:
I have moved into a house with a yard full of weeds. I would like to plant Buffalograss but understand Buffalograss is sparce and difficult to keep the weeds out. So, I was considering mixing it with Bluebonnet seeds to choke out those weeds. What do you think?ANSWER:
Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss) is an attractive, fine-textured, low-water-use native grass that grows throughout the Great Plains from Minnesota to Montana and south into Mexico. It is well-adapted to areas receiving 15 to 30 inches of thorough, but infrequent rains, usually in April and May.Weeds invariably appear after seeding or plugging Buffalograss and controlling them is one of the most difficult problems in establishing Buffalograss. Mr Smarty Plants likes your bluebonnet idea because bluebonnets look great in a Buffalograss lawn but it is doubtful that they will help control the weeds.
The best way to control weeds is to water and mow correctly. While established Buffalograss will survive summer droughts without supplemental water, it will go dormant. To keep your Buffalograss green during the summer, it must receive 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
To get the full story on Buffalo grass, download the Native Lawns how to article.
More Turf Questions
Is it OK to recycle my kids bathwater out to the lawn?
July 23, 2009 - Is it OK for me to "recycle" my kids bathwater out to the lawn or houseplants? We use normal everyday brand kids soap.
Thanks Mr. Smarty Plants
view the full question and answer
Best grass for the shade in Austin, TX.
July 01, 2015 - What is the best grass seed for shade in Austin?
view the full question and answer
Roots of live oak in lawn from Round Rock TX
June 24, 2011 - I live on a cul-de-sac and have a small triangle shape yard. There is a large live oak in the middle of the yard. I am concerned because large bark covered roots have emerged on two sides of the tre...
view the full question and answer
Grassy "weed" invasion in Bermuda grass lawn
July 09, 2007 - Our grass is being totally overrun by this weed.(I don't know what the name is but I do know it's not the dandelion weed or the thin grassy weed). It is Bermuda grass and I really don't know how to...
view the full question and answer
Environmentally friendly and drought resistant alternatives to St. Augustine grass
September 28, 2006 - As a member of the planning committee of our property owners association in Wimberley TX, we are researching ways to make our landscape environmentally friendly and drought resistant. We have 60,000 ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |