And here is one of the demonstration gardens at the wildflower center. This is the native plant garden, as compared to an exotic plant garden. To tell the truth, neither garden was in good shape, the exotic plant one was doing nothing at all, so I didn't take a picture, and the native plant one as you can see, wasn't doing much better. I think it was too early in the year, we have been there in May and there was a big difference. Well, here it is.
I assume the native plant garden has native grasses. Do you know what they are and how they're managed? I would really would like to know that!
John, have you checked into Buffalo Grass? I'd give part of my lawn over to it if I could, but it just doesn't like our humidity. I've heard that it will grow west of I-35, and I've heard it will grow most anywhere in TX except the coastal area. It only gets to about 6".
John, the grass in the center of the garden is Buffalo Grass, here is a good link with all the information you might need.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/turf/publications/buffalo.html
I have wondered about Bufalo Grass. I am about 15 miles east of I-35. I need to follow up on that. I think about using mixed tall grass prairie grasses as specimen plants, too. I imagine somone with design skills could make that work.
John,
These are 2 very nice grasses you might be interested in planting:
Ruby Grass 'Pink Crystals ™' (Rhynchelytrum nerviglume)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/67224/index.html
Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Regal Mist' (a Texas native) - seeds can be purchased online (have to do a search)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59737/index.html
Oooh, I've seen the Pink Crystals, you definitely want that, John!!
Mucho gracious!
John, I have just done some major research on Buffalo Grass. B grass needs full sun, at least 7-8 hours, not shade tolerant at all. There are several varieties, (609, Legacy & Prestige), that have been developed by the University of Nebraska that are premium turf grass. These apparently stay green longer in the fall, and green up earlier in the spring.
I got some a few answers about growing Buffalo grass from my native plants instructor at SMU:
Growing from seed. His answer: Pretty slow to fill in and you will get the male plants with the taller heads. If you don't mind the way the male plants look and are patient, this is the most affordable way to grow this grass.
I asked this question to an employee at Todd Valley Farms, one of the distributors of University of Nebraska buffalo grass: What is the difference between Legacy and Prestige?
Her answer: Legacy was developed for the Northern 2/3 of the United States for its cold hardiness, but will still grow very well in the South. The Prestige is more resistant to chinch bugs and that is a bigger problem in the South, so therefore the Prestige would be better for the Southern climate. As far as looks, they are almost exact matches. Both of these grasses are all female, so no male seed heads, and they are only available as plugs or sod.
Last weekend I visited a house in Dallas that was featured in Fine Gardening this month for the xeriscape landscaping. They have 609 buffalograss planted in the front, it is very pretty. I’m trying to link a picture, so we’ll see how it works.
So, I’ve decided to try the Prestige variety in my front yard, in the berm area. I will let anyone know how it goes if you are interested!
Karen
Karen, Thanks for all that information on Buffalo grass. Does it ever achieve a more even look if the plugs are planted closer together? What does the male plant look like? Will you show a photo of one?
Unfortunately, the Ruby Grass 'Pink Crystals ™' (Rhynchelytrum nerviglume) information about hardiness is not correct in the PF. After researching the grass further, I find that is hardy in only Zones 9-10 and is considered an annual. I bought it last year thinking it was a perennial ornamental grass and have it growing in a large container. It froze back, but has put out new blades sfter our relatively mild winter. Obviously, John, this would be a pain to have to try collect seeds or purchase seeds each year. From what I have read so far, it does not self-seed readily. Sorry ...
Hazel, thanks for the update!
Karen, that looks great and, yes I'd be very interested!
Any ideas for a shade tolerent native grass/ground cover?
Hello Everyone, this is really getting interesting, with all kinds plants being explored and lots of participation, I love it.
I took some pictures yesterday that came out quite nice, and even though they are not new flowers I thought they might be enjoyed by all.
Extreme close up of Mexican Primrose, (Oenothera speciosa)
John, here's one for shade that spreads quickly, takes very little water, blooms constantly from spring until the first frost. The only problem is that it will die back after a hard freeze, but returns from the roots. I am sure that you could mow the dead stalks off without hurting the plants. I find that it is easily pulled from areas in which I do not want it to grow.
Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Blue Bells 'Blue Shade' (Ruellia brittoniana
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/38180/index.html
Rabbit's Paw, Creeping Daisy, Water Zinnia (Sphagneticola trilobata) - spreads rapidly, can be walked upon (and trampled by big dogs), said to be highly invasive, but I just pull up the new runners if they are going where I don't want them to go. I am letting it replace some areas of my backyard grass. It will grow in the shade, but doesn't produce as many blooms. It too dies back in the winter (mine didn't this year). I don't know if you want to take a chance that this may be dificult to get rid of. Mine does not seem to spread from seeds.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1303/index.html
Extreme close up of Autumn Sage, (Salvia greggii) you can see the little fuzz on the upper part.
And a lovely non native, Gold daylilly, very beautiful too.
Is that the Stella d' Oro daylily?
Lovely closeups!
I really don't know Mel, these lillies were given to me by an old friend who had a farm on California lane a long time ago. They were passed on to her from another friend, and she didn't know the name. But they sure are lovely, and I think of Mrs. Bickley every time they bloom.
She also gave me some Oxblood lillies which are very hard to find now, almost an antique.
And so, the tradition goes on, of giving and receiving and remembering.
The little seedling you gave me, is coming along just fine, thank you.
Thanks, Hazel, they look very interesting especially the Mexican Petunia and the S. trilobata would make a nice contrast.
bettydee, here's the only photo I found online that shows some variety of male buffalograss. Most forms only grow from 3-6 inches tall, and the male flowers are not very high. There are not a lot of photos around for buffalograss, which is too bad.
As far as filling in, if you grow from seed my native plants instructor told me it takes at least a year or more for the turf area to fill in and you must be very vigilant about pulling weeds. From plugs, the agent at Toddy Valley Farms informed me that plugs of Legacy or Prestige placed 18 inches apart should cover in 2 to 4 growing months. Really quick! And of course if you get sod, the whole area is covered right away.
One of the reasons I'm purchasing buffalograss is that it is a native no-mow lawn. They suggest you mow once or twice a year to stimulate growth, but if you like the natural look, that's all it takes. If you want a more manicured look, you can mow more often and have a more formal lawn. Check out the pictures at Todd Valley site's photo album:
http://www.toddvalleyfarms.com/Buffalograssphotoalbum.htm
John, I just thought of some more plants that do well in shade and bloom too; although, I don't think that they are "native" plants.
Hardy Begonia (Begonia grandis) - It is quite nice and self-seeds all around the mother plant forming a dense colony; thereby, it will fill in an area. Mine has been in the ground a year and have 100s of baby plants. It dies down in the winter.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/722/index.html
Strawberry Begonia, Strawberry Geranium, Roving Sailor (Saxifraga stolonifera) - This is a beautiful plant that does not die down in the winter and it too has produced many new plants all around it.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53215/index.html
Plus, I share some of the baby plants (both types) with you. The hardy begonia babies are growing very fast right now. The strawberrry begonia babies are growing a bit slower. I also have wild petunia plants if you want them.
This message was edited Apr 22, 2005 9:45 PM
John, Baby-Blue Eyes, Nemophila insignis, is a native, hardy, prefers partial shade and produces very pretty light blue flowers. It grows under all our live oaks. It does require a light sandy soil.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wildseed/18/18.7.html
bettydee, oh so pretty! It states that it is an annual. Does it self-seed each year? Sure wish I had sandy soil! :o)
bettydee, I have grown it in Alaska. It is a very nice plant. I don't think its all that fussy about sandy soils, though. Well drained, yes. :-)
Hazel, you are so generous! A Saxafraga for Texas! Who could resist that?
Ya'll make me smile. ;-)
John
I just wanted to add my 21/2 cents and caution about Buffalo Grass. I planted "Stampede" 6 years ago, and have regreted it. It is a short "no mow" grass, I sodded it solid, and in full sun. It has been a constant battle with weeds! Yes no mow for the grass, but constant mow for the weeds! It is a thin grass, browns out when it gets a little dry (yes it comes back when watered) and looks ugly half of the year. I am going to over seed it with Bramuda grass. Pre emergents and constant mowing, even weed digging has to be done to keep it decent. The Grass Burrs thin it is heaven. Talk to more people who have grown Buffalo to get a clear picture. Good luck, Margie
I don't wan't no stinking grass burrs (or bermuda grass)! ;-)
For whatever it's worth, I will say that we don't worry about the grass.
We have a mixed lawn of Bermuda, St. Augustine, and many other grasses that I suppose are native and I don't know the name of.
We don't fertilize the lawn, but we do let the clippings remain, and we also mulch with the mower some of the leaves.
During hot weather we mow and water once a week.
The grass because of the mixture of native grasses, ( I suppose some are winter grasses) remains green most of the year, but doesn't get tall, so in the winter we don't have to mow.
If a weed or undesired plant comes up, I just pull it out, and we accept that the grass will not be perfect, but it is quite nice, and that is good enough for us.
Even though our lawn is not very big, we enjoy that green space for play and recreation, there is something very restful to the eye when we look at a green expanse.
Ha! I have a mixture of really ugly coarse bermuda, St. Augustine, quack, burr, crab and, I don't what all grasses. Its pathetic! :-D
John, you can see a picture of the grass in my yard in the first picture of the four of us girls in my yard, I think it looks great.
Here is a picture of a lovely Frostweed taken yesterday, isn't lush and lovely?
And one of Brazilian Tall Vervena ( Vervena bonariensis ) not a native but very well adapted.
It blooms till Fall and it is a lovely accent, I was lucky to capture that bee.
Here is a picture of a Flameleaf Sumac, (Rhus lanceolata )
When we started the native plant habitat I wanted as many native ornamental trees as possible, to provide food and shelter for the birds.
Well, I hunted a lot to find some of those trees, and now I am very happy, but unfortunately as they grow it is also getting too crowded for flowers, so I have resorted to pollarding.
We cut it back to the main branches in the fall, and it grows very quickly in the spring, with the advantage of fresh growth and no dead wood.
This is how it looks right now.
Yes, Josephine, it does! However, every single grass plant I own is a weed, not one is a legitimate turf grass. LOL
htop, Yes, it's an annual. You might be able to grow it well drained soil. We have mostly sandy loam, but the further one goes from the river the more clay in the soil. All the oaks growing in sandy loam have Baby-Blue Eyes growing underneath them. None of the other oaks have them. I also got information on soil preferences from A & M.
Here is a beautiful flowering adapted native tree,Desert Bird of Paradise,(Caesalpinia gilliesii)
This is a small tree with very unusual flowers, I have three of them, two blooming soon.
Here is the bud and leaves.
A picture of the bloom, exotic?
Close up of Desert Bird of Paradise bloom. I am trying to root cuttings of this tree.
I love these little Iris relatives. They are Herbertia, Alophia drummondii. They have been blooming for the past 2-3 weeks. Mornings, together with Texas Dandelion, they cover the pastures. They both disappear by 3 in the afternoon. They pop up all over the lawn. The problem is avoiding them with the lawn mower. They pop up from an underground bulb, but I was hoping seed would increase their number.
This message was edited Apr 25, 2005 6:55 PM
I have a patch of Passiflora incarnata. I dug a number out only to find that the new growth had not put out their own root system. They seem connected by one fleshy fat root with a few feeder roots. Couldn't find the mother plant. Does anyone know when each new sprout develops its own root system?
I was traveling back to San Antonio from the CTRU when I kept seeing what appeared to huge buttercup blooms. I finally convinced my husband to stop to see what the plant looked like. I could not take a photo because my camera battery needed recharging. The bloom is at least 4 inches in diameter and looks like a buttercup bloom. The buds are long and salmon or peach colored. There were very few leaves on the plant and they were elongated and light greyish-green. The plant even with the blooms is about a foot tall. They were located in one area of Highway 16 north of Bandera and a few north of Helotes. I took a bloom home with me. When it closed it became the same salmon or peach color as the bud. I was wondering if anyone knows what this is just by the description. I plan to go back and take a photo when I can as well as gather some seeds. I have never seen these before. Any help would be appreciated.
