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)
Saturday - February 07, 2015
From: Riverside, AL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Planting, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Planting wildflowers and ryegrass in RIverside AL
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Love the name, enjoyed a visit last spring. We repaired a retaining wall about 300 ft. and want to plant wildflowers on a strip 5 ft wide. Slope gentle to 1 in 3.5. Hauled in topsoil for fill. Can we plant wildflowers now (late Jan) with annual rye to help erosion until flowers get established? Or do you have another suggestion? Zone 7, last frost early April, lot of spring rain normal. ThanksANSWER:
This is a project that might have been better if started in the Fall. First I will share some links with information about annual rye and also some links about seed germination.
Annual ryegrass is a cool season grass that does best when planted in the fall and grows until the heat of summer. (Previous answer SP #9900) refers to answer SP #2933 which has other good links.
Here is a link to ryegrasses.com that explains the different kinds of ryegrass.
Here is a link to University of Vermont Extension talking about seed germination
These links to Native American Seed Company tell how to plant Native seed and grow Native wild flowers. The third article talks about growing native plants particularly on slopes with recommended species.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Care for non-native Centipede grass
February 27, 2013 - My lawn is Centipede. I have created a new lawn area. Can and when should I seed/overseed my lawn? I have Rye in the new area.
view the full question and answer
Habiturf for Round Rock TX
March 17, 2013 - Topic Habiturf. We have just aerated our lawn. We were planning on throwing out bermudagrass seed. We already have bermudagrass as well as many weeds in the lawn especially the blue stem clump grass w...
view the full question and answer
Plants That Thrive Under Trees in Texas
April 06, 2011 - I have a flower bed with dense shade (under a mature maple tree and a large mature bottle brush) located on the Galveston/Harris county line just off of Clear Lake. The bed has sprinklers and drains w...
view the full question and answer
Best way to plant sedges on a slope in Fairfax, VA.
March 20, 2012 - Best way to plant sedges on a slope. WE are in the LONG process of trying to convert our backyard to a native wildlife friendly habitat. The slope is about 30 degress and it's a large space 1/2 acr...
view the full question and answer
Native grasses for chain link fenceline in Nash, TX
April 29, 2009 - I have chain link fence all the way around my yard and I am getting tired of having to weed eat along the fence line. I am looking for some type of year round decorative plant or grass (preferably on...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |