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_40.gif)
Wednesday - May 25, 2011
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Turf
Title: Native turf grasses for shady lawn
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am interested in planting a native lawn using the grasses discussed on the website (2lb of buffalograss, 1½ lb of bluegrama and at least 4 oz of curly mesquite). My front yard is relatively small with two 10 year old live oak trees that cast shade over the yard. Will this native mix work in my front yard? Also, I have two small children who play constantly in the yard. Will the grass do well with this foot traffic?ANSWER:
The native turf grasses, buffalograss, curly mesquite and blue grama, discussed in Native Lawns: Multi-species will withstand moderate foot traffic after they have become established, but they don't do well in as much shade as you probably have in your yard. Unless the grasses receive at least 6 hours sun per day they will not thrive to become a thick turf lawn. The bad news is that there aren't really any native turf grasses that do well in shade. The closest you can come is sedges, perhaps combined with other groundcovers. Although sedges don't generally withstand foot traffic quite as well as turf grass, they do have the advantage of being evergreen, grow in the shade and require little mowing. You might be interested in reading the following article, Sedge Lawns for Every Landscape. Here are a few that do well in the Austin area:
Carex perdentata (Meadow sedge)
Carex planostachys (Cedar sedge)
Some possibilities for other groundcovers to go with the sedges are Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy) and Phyla nodiflora (Texas frogfruit). They are both semi-evergreen (depending on the severity of the winter) and will stand up to moderate foot traffic after they are established.
You can find nurseries that specialize in native plants in the Austin area where you might find the sedges and groundcovers by searching in our National Suppliers Directory.
Here are photos of the above plants from our Image Gallery:
More Turf Questions
Did my neighbor's zucchini affect my apple tree from Oak Lawn, IL
October 26, 2009 - My neighbor planted zucchini plants near a flowering non-fruit producing apple tree in my yard. Soon afterwards in July the tree began to shed leaves. Could the zucchini plant have caused this?
view the full question and answer
Lawn Options for Saginaw, MI
April 09, 2015 - I'm looking for a low maintenance, high traffic lawn alternative. Will Texas Frogfruit handle the winter? My yard is small so covering it is an option.
view the full question and answer
Low-growing lawn substitute for Pennsylvania
March 19, 2008 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants
Please help. We are moving to an old farm house in Western Pennsylvania with several acres of lawn. Our plan is to return much of the land to wildlife friendly meadows and woo...
view the full question and answer
Pros and cons of Hydrocotyl bonariensis as lawn replacement
March 22, 2008 - Want to convert lawn TO dollar weed!
My Garland TX yard has become so shady over the years that I have a hard time with grass. A few years ago I noticed dollar weed in the grass which seemed to cre...
view the full question and answer
Maple roots in lawn in Denton TX
June 03, 2010 - I purchased a new home 4 years ago that came with a landscape package. There are 2 trees in the front yard that I think are red maple trees. I am now seeing their roots appear above the ground which...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |