Hi All
I need to replace my back yard. I have dogs, but it's a big yard. It is part sun or bright shad with dappled light coming through the brances of an old pecan and areas are full sun.
Someone just suggested Texas frogfruit. What do you think? I could sow wildflower seeds with it.
What would you do to avoid a lawn but not look like a moon scape?
thank you
cynthia
native plant gurus...what would you do?
have you heard of sedges? they are like an evergreen grass.
buffalo grass grows in full sun, but sedges grow in the shade
a couple native to TX make good lawn replacement - takes a bit foot traffic
Here's some reading with lots of suggestions:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/txgard/msg081632378854.html?10
=)
Cynthia I am sorry I didn't respond sooner, I asked around and they said you could use Frogfuit, but would have to do it in two stages, fence one side off and let it develop, then move the dogs and do the other side.
Josephine.
Thanks Josephine!
I think I may go this route and fence in each section as I go.
anyone know if frog fruit is better as a plant or seed?
I'm going native
o/
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I I
Well, I suppose seed would be more reasonable, but if you get a few large plants and root cuttings, you probably can get it going a lot faster.
I've never seen it used as a complete ground cover. Would be interesting to see what it does. For that matter, the closest I've seen to it covering a large size area anywhere here was a business that's been closed for quite a while. There was quite a bit in part of the lawn there.
I can tell you that frogfruit is one of the toughest plants I have ever seen. Our pastures are completely dormant because of the lack of rain but it is still green and blooming.
Patsy
WHEN I STARTED EXPERIMENTING WITH LAWN REPLACEMENT, CLOVER WAS MY FAVORITE, THERE ARE VARIETIES THAT STAY SHORT, NOW I HAVE PRESTIGE BUFFALO GRASS, AND LOVE IT
But buffalo grass won't grow in part shade or full shade. It is an awesome grass as my parents are putting it in their front yard. It is surprisingly soft and the perfect length to not have to cut. Their yard is too small to have to mow - esp. when I have taken up the rest of their yard w/ garden space.
For people who don't want to give up the grass look, sedges are great for shade. There are some, like the buffalo grass, that don't get over 6" and at 6" they are not tall as the strands fall over naturally. Most sedges do well in full shade to full sun, but in full sun might need watered in high heat/drought once or twice. They stay green all year through.