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)
Monday - June 15, 2009
From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Problem Plants, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Removal of weeds in buffalograss mix in Houston
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I recently attempted to seed a small lawn area with a buffalo/blue grama grass mix, unfortunately for me the area has been hit hard with weeds. Is there an environmentally friendly method to reduce/eliminate the weeds without also killing the native grass?ANSWER:
Yep, pull them out. Sorry, this is the biggest problem with planting the Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalograss)/Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama) mix - that undesirable weeds, including other grasses, will come popping up, and the grass mix you have planted is not very aggressive about defending its turf. If you have not already done so, read our How-To Article Native Lawns: Buffalograss. We will give you some close-up pictures of the two grasses in the mix, which will hopefully assist you in identifying which plant should be pulled out and which should stay.
More Problem Plants Questions
Cat eating yucca stalks in England
May 07, 2013 - Is it safe for my cat to eat yucca as she is being sick and its hard to stop her
view the full question and answer
Elimination of non-native English ivy in Maryland
March 11, 2009 - I have Old English Ivy sprouting up throughout my side yard. What can I do to get rid of it? Would putting lime down help or Crabgrass control? What would you suggest and the easier the better as I...
view the full question and answer
Do white-tailed deer consume King Ranch bluestem?
October 25, 2013 - Will white-tail deer in central Texas consume King Ranch bluestem ?
view the full question and answer
Eliminating crabgrass in a newly mulched area in Austin
June 26, 2009 - We just had our whole front lawn taken out. We are starting to plant native plants in its place. The idea was to do what’s best for the environment and reduce maintenance. At this point I’m beginni...
view the full question and answer
East Texas grasses for holding soils
September 17, 2008 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have a question about the East Texas area: Specifically, which natvie grasses can be planted to hold the soil/new roads through the winter?
Here is the situation: (Against...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |