Native Plants
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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - October 05, 2015
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Does Calyptocarpus vialis (Horseherb) compete with turf grasses
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
For my yard in central Austin Does horse herb, Calyptocarpus vialis help or damage the growth of native short grasses? The grasses include Curly Mesquite and Blue Gamma planted early in the spring or in the fall. The grass plants are scattered and have not made a turf.ANSWER:
A blogger in Central Texas at Where Plants Rule says that Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy) out-competes grasses in times of drought. She also points out that straggler daisy (horseherb) predominates in the shade whereas most grasses do best in the sun, e.g., Bouteloua gracilis (Blue grama) and Hilaria belangeri (Curly mesquite grass). Another blogger from Austin TX at Great Stems: Garden Adventures, Wildlife Welcome, admits that it can compete with grass but loves it anyway. Here is one more blog, Papershell: Gardening et cetera, that doesn't have quite as positive opinion about it.
You might consider leaving the horseherb to form a groundcover in shadier areas and try removing it from the sunnier areas. One sure method for removing the horseherb is to pull it up by hand. If you do this, you should realize that the stems break easily leaving the roots intact in the ground to produce more horseherb. Wetting the ground makes it easier to remove the roots along with the plants. With the fall rains that are hopefully coming, the blue grama and curly mesquite may begin to fill in the sunnier areas. You might consider reseeding your lawn with blue grama and curly mesquite early next spring. Native American Seed has a good article, Planting Tips for Native Grasses, that you might like to read.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Removal of thistles from Columbus TX
May 20, 2014 - I am sorry if you have an answer in FAQs but I could not find it.
We recently cleared property near Columbus Texas of many cedars (ash junipers). This spring we experienced a profusion of thistle -...
view the full question and answer
Verbena bonariensis won't bloom in Galveston, TX.
July 03, 2014 - My Verbena bonariensis is thriving, but never blooms. The plants look healthy, are about 6 feet tall and in full sun. The buds turn light purple but never open to flower. My neighbor's vb are ...
view the full question and answer
Comment on poisonous sweet pea plant from Kalama WA
October 29, 2011 - No question, comment only. I am aware of the story of Christopher McCandless (Call of the Wild)and the belief that he was poisoned by ingesting part of the sweet pea plant; however I am curious what ...
view the full question and answer
Apples, pears and geraniums in Kipling, Saskatchewan
March 30, 2013 - My geranium's leaves became yellow - Why? Where can I buy a good nice apple tree? Will apples and pears grow in south Saskatchewan?
view the full question and answer
Where to find milkweeds and other butterfly favorites
March 07, 2016 - Our neighborhood in San Antonio is planning a big Arbor Day celebration. One of the events will focus on Monarch Butterflies. We will be releasing some live ones in our park and will have a booth th...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |