![\"Black](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Black-Oak-Quercus-velutina-leaves.jpg\")
Virginia’s Capital Region is a place of unique character, with a history that runs deep as the nation’s birthplace and a culinary scene that boasts some of the finest tobacco and oysters around. As a homeowner in this remarkable region, you can add to its legacy by incorporating the best native plants for Virginia’s Capital […]
\n","content":"\nVirginia’s Capital Region is a place of unique character, with a history that runs deep as the nation’s birthplace and a culinary scene that boasts some of the finest tobacco and oysters around. As a homeowner in this remarkable region, you can add to its legacy by incorporating the best native plants for Virginia’s Capital region into your yard.
\n\n\n\nNative plants are adapted to the local region, making them low-maintenance and reliable for any gardener. And by planting them, you’re not only beautifying your yard, but you’re also supporting the local ecosystem by providing habitats for native wildlife. In this article, we’ll explore the top eight native plants for Virginia’s Capital Region, giving you all the tips to turn your yard into a true gem in this historic and breathtaking landscape.
\n\n\n\nNative plant benefits include:
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover the following:
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Jay Sturner from USA / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nConsider the black oak tree if you want to add a touch of natural beauty to your backyard in Virginia’s capital region. This stunning native tree boasts glossy, dark green leaves that turn brilliant shades of orange, brown, and yellow in the fall, creating a striking contrast against its black bark.
\n\n\n\nIn the summer, its acorns provide food for local wildlife, such as squirrels, turkeys, white-tail deer, and other small mammals. Not only is the black oak visually appealing, but it’s also a hardy and low-maintenance tree that makes a beautiful shade for large areas. So why not bring a piece of Virginia’s natural beauty to your backyard with the majestic black oak tree?
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Prefer deep, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soil, but tolerates poor dry soils.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial.
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No fragrance.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Dry to moderate. Well-drained soil.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 50 to 60 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: It is toxic to horses.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. The best time to propagate this plant is mid-autumn or late winter, either through seed or grafting. Its deep taproot makes transplanting a challenging task.
\n\n\n\n![\"Willow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Willow-Oak.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Katja Schulz / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe willow oak is a fantastic option for homeowners looking to add beauty to their backyard. This native tree is a sight to behold, with its bright green foliage during the summer months and its stunning yellow or russet hues in the fall. The tree’s bark is also a standout feature, ranging from dry to dark brown and providing a unique texture to your landscape.
\n\n\n\nNot only is the willow oak a visually striking addition, but it also provides food for several species of birds and mammals. This tree is a fast grower, which means you’ll be able to enjoy its many benefits in no time. From its natural beauty to its wildlife contributions, the willow oak is an excellent choice for backyard enthusiasts looking to enhance their outdoor space.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand. Acid, neutral. Moist but well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial.
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No fragrance.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate to High.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 40 to 75 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: It is toxic to horses.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. The Willow oak showcases impressive resilience by enduring the destructive impact of strong winds and substantial amounts of ice and snow without succumbing to breakage. To uphold its shape, it is advisable to prune it regularly, while it’s recommended to fertilize it thrice annually.
\n\n\n\n![\"Sassafras](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sassafras-Leaves.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Randy Everette / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSassafras is a versatile and beautiful tree to plant in your yard. This native tree boasts unique, mitten-shaped leaves that turn gorgeous shades of orange, red, and yellow in the fall, making it a stunning addition to any autumn landscape.
\n\n\n\nBut sassafras is more than just a pretty face – it also produces fragrant, spicy bark and roots used in traditional medicine and cooking. Plus, it’s relatively low-maintenance and can live well in various soil types and sun exposures.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, acid, neutral. Moist but well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial.
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Aromatic properties are present in all parts of the common sassafras tree. When the young bark is scratched, it emits a delightfully spicy fragrance.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to moderate.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 30 to 60 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: This plant has low-severity poison characteristics.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Average. To maintain a shrub-like size, sassafras trees can be pruned by cutting them down to the ground every 2 to 3 years. Additionally, it’s important to protect this tree from harsh winter conditions.
\n\n\n\n![\"Common](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Common-Partridge-Pea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Cbaile19 / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you dream of adding some vibrant color and texture to your backyard, the common partridge pea is a native plant that you won’t want to overlook. This striking wildflower produces clusters of showy yellow blooms throughout the summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies to your yard.
\n\n\n\nIts deep roots can help improve soil health and prevent erosion, making it an excellent choice for areas with poor soil or sloping terrain. And with its ability to tolerate drought and flooding, the common partridge pea is a hardy and adaptable addition to any garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous annual.
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No fragrance.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Dry to moderate.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. This plant has an aggressive self-seeding habit, especially in dry and open spaces. For optimal growth, it’s recommended to sow the seeds between late March and May.
\n\n\n\n![\"Smooth](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Smooth-Oxeye-False-Sunflower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lystopad / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe smooth oxeye is a gorgeous wildflower that requires little maintenance. Its bright yellow blossoms and unique serrated leaves are eye-catching and can add color to any sunny area of your yard. This plant is hardy and simple to cultivate, making it a great option for any gardener. Plus, its attractive blooms are known to attract bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds, adding to the liveliness and beauty of your backyard.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Moist but well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial.
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No fragrance
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Autumn, spring, and summer.
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. To encourage prolonged blooming, it’s recommended to deadhead the flowers. After the flowering period, cutting the plant back is also advised.
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Green-arrow-arum-Peltandra-virginica.jpg\"){kind=icon}
Photo Credit: Chris Light / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor those seeking a captivating and hardy plant to enhance their Virginia backyard, the arrow arum is an aquatic plant sure to make a splash. With its glossy, dark green leaves and long stalks, this native species can add a touch of elegance to any water feature or garden.
\n\n\n\nThe large leaves are striking and can vary in shape and size, but often they feature an arrowhead shape. Arrow arum is a vigorous grower; once established, it can spread to fill out any space. The arrow arum is a choice that will delight you and any visitors to your yard.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Aquatic herbaceous
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Poorly drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No fragrance.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring and summer.
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Wet
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1.5 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Moderate. Arrow arum is a versatile plant that can thrive in standing water up to 6 inches deep or consistently moist, boggy soils. This plant can be propagated through either seed or division.
\n\n\n\n![\"Wild](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Wild-Pink.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor those looking for a plant that is both showy and easy to care for in their backyard, the wild pink is an excellent option to consider. This plant will embellish any outdoor space with its rosy pink flowers resembling phlox and forming five wedge-shaped petals in a tubular shape.
\n\n\n\nWild pink is a compact, mat-forming plant that gives a splash of color to any landscape. Its hardy nature makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for a low-maintenance plant. The plant produces a fruit capsule that splits open to release tiny brown seeds, which can easily propagate and establish new plants.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, loam, sand. Alkaline, neutral. Well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial.
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No fragrance.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring.
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 10 inches to 1 foot
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Once the plant is established, it prefers not to be disturbed. However, it can be propagated through various methods, such as seeds, cuttings, or division.
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Red-Chokeberry-Aronia-arbutifolia.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Mr.TinMD / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor a multi-seasonal showstopper in your Virginia backyard, the red chokeberry is an excellent choice. This multi-stemmed shrub offers something unique in every season.
\n\n\n\nIn the spring, the red chokeberry showcases flat-topped clusters of white to light pink, five-petaled flowers with red anthers that bloom in abundance. The dark green, glossy leaves emerge following the flowers, providing a lush backdrop that consistently transforms into a stunning orange-red hue in the fall. The plant produces bright red, pear-shaped berries that stay on the shrub until December or January, adding a pop of color to the winter landscape.
\n\n\n\nThe reddish-brown, exfoliating bark provides additional visual interest during the colder months. With its year-round appeal, the red chokeberry is an ideal choice for any Virginia backyard looking to add natural beauty and color..
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam. Acid, neutral. Moist but well-drained.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Flowers have a sweet scent.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Flowers blossom in spring. But it has a four-season interest.
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 5 to 10 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. These plants can endure wet sites and even occasional flooding. They can be propagated through various methods, such as seeds, soft-wood cuttings, or taking out suckers and potting them during the plant’s dormant period.
\n\n\n\nPlanting native plants in your backyard can provide many benefits, such as supporting local ecosystems, attracting wildlife, and reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. However, not all native plants are good for every backyard. When selecting the right plant, factors such as soil type, sunlight, and moisture levels must be considered.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, it is essential to be aware of your backyard’s hardiness zone, which determines your area’s climate conditions and temperature range. Virginia’s capital region USDA hardiness zone is 6 and 7, which means plants suitable for those zones can tolerate the region’s typical winter temperatures.
\n\n\n\nHere’s a plant list of some popular native plant species for the Virginia department:
\n\n\n\nFor more information on native wildflowers, groundcovers, trees, invasive species, and shrubs, visit the PlantVirginiaNatives.org website.
\n\n\n\nRichmond has many native plants, including:
\n\n\n\nTo thrive native plants thrive in soil that is deeply moistened and not frequently watered. It is recommended to provide a single 30-minute soak every 7-10 days instead of multiple 10-minute waterings per week. The frequency of watering should be determined based on several factors, such as the soil type, exposure to sunlight, weather conditions, and the age of the plant.
\n\n\n\nSoutheast Virginia’s native plants include:
\n\n\n\nNorthern Virginia’s native plants include:
\n\n\n\nIt is highly recommended to purchase native plants from local nurseries. They offer a wide selection of plant species that are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions and employ knowledgeable staff who can give expert advice on native plant care and maintenance.
\n\n\n\nFor additional information on sustainability initiatives, guides on native plants, and the significance of native plants, kindly visit the website of the Virginia Native Plant Society.
\n\n\n\nWhen beginning your landscaping dream, it’s important to remember that choosing the appropriate plant is just the initial step. Sustaining the well-being of your lawn is just as crucial in ensuring the long-term prosperity of your landscape.
\n\n\n\nLooking for a Virginia lawn care pro near you to maintain your landscape? We have trusted pros in Richmond, Chesterfield, and various other cities throughout Virginia’s Capital Region.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Maymont Park / Watts / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
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\n","content":"\nI firmly believe any plant can be considered a weed if it’s growing somewhere it isn’t wanted. This includes even turfgrass like Bahiagrass. Some homeowners adore the low-maintenance needs of Bahiagrass when grown for a lawn, and others absolutely despise it when rogue rhizomes creep out of neighboring pastures into their yards.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re firmly in the Bahiagrass-grass-is-trash camp, let’s dive into different ways to get rid of Bahiagrass in your landscape!
\n\n\n\nWhether it’s in your lawn or taking up residence in your vegetable garden or flower beds, we’ve got options for you. I will also offer non-chemical approaches to get rid of Bahiagrass if you’re looking for sustainable solutions.
\n\n\nWhen you see Bahiagrass in your lawn or flower beds, the first instinct is to grab ahold of it and yank it out by hand. Manually pulling it out may work, but remember that it reproduces via rhizomes, so you have to remove the entire underground part of the plant, too. If you only hand-pull the top off, the rhizomes continue reproducing, sending out new grass shoots.
\n\n\n\nSo, with this in mind, you should attack Bahiagrass with a multi-pronged approach, employing cultural practices and chemical or natural herbicides.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: eleonimages / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nI understand if you’ve ever stood in the lawn chemical aisle at your local hardware or big box store feeling overwhelmed and dizzy by all the choices. There are shelves of different products claiming to control various weeds. And it is essential to pick the right one for the task.
\n\n\n\nBefore we get into specific products, let’s talk about two types of weed killers and what sets them apart from one another: pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides.
\n\n\n\nI try to use pre-emergent herbicides whenever possible, as it’s easier to stop weeds from germinating (and yes, I’m going to classify Bahia as a weed in this situation) than it is to get rid of them once they sprout. You have limited pre-emergent options if you have Bahia growing on your lawn.
\n\n\n\nPlease note that it’s imperative to read the product label thoroughly. Only use herbicide you know is safe for your grass type.
\n\n\n\nCompared to pre-emergent products, you have many more options for post-emergent herbicides. However, care must still be taken to ensure you don’t harm your lawn. And be forewarned that you may need to apply these products more than once to control Bahia because of its deep rhizomes.
\n\n\n\nThe following selective herbicides are labeled for use on specific turf types, so they won’t harm the intended grass but should tackle the Bahia infestation. Plus, they’ll likely also get rid of crabgrass and other broadleaf weeds.
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass is a little easier to control in flower beds or garden plots. While there is controversy surrounding glyphosate (commonly sold as RoundUp), it is an effective weed killer and works well when you are looking for something for spot treatment. Glyphosate is non-selective, killing anything it touches; be careful not to spray it when it’s windy or when the Bahia is close to other desired plants.
\n\n\n\n![\"lush](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bahiagrass-lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nBeyond chemical treatment methods, you can implement some essential lawn care practices for the control of Bahiagrass.
\n\n\n\nEncouraging a healthy, lush lawn is the best way to prevent unwanted grasses and weeds. A thick, dense carpet of grass will naturally choke out unwanted Bahia trying to take hold.
\n\n\n\nFertilize your lawn on a regular schedule based on the type of grass you’re growing. For most grasses, this will be at least twice per year. Bahiagrass has low nutrient needs, so regular lawn fertilization will hinder its growth and keep it from returning.
\n\n\n\nBahia spreads primarily through underground rhizomes but also puts out distinctive, Y-shaped seed heads. These seed heads disperse and further spread the unwanted grass when left alone. Mowing your lawn consistently—at the appropriate lawn mower height for your turf type—helps prevent any Bahia in your grass from going to seed and spreading.
\n\n\n\nWhen dealing with Bahia that has gone to seed, you should bag and dispose of your grass clippings versus letting them fall back on the grass.
\n\n\n\nKeeping your lawn so it isn’t too dry is a fantastic way to discourage Bahia from growing. Bahia is revered for its drought tolerance and will quickly move into established turf if the soil is too dry and the existing grass is stressed.
\n\n\n\nWater your grass deeply, yet infrequently, several times a week. Aim to give it about one inch of water (total) over the course of a week, but this amount varies slightly based on the grass you’re growing and the soil conditions.
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass is opportunistic and will take over empty space, including the bare spots in your St. Augustine or Bermudagrass lawn. To help prevent it from sneaking its way in, anytime you see bare spots in your grass, sow grass seed quickly and cover the soil with a layer of mulch. Growing new grass as soon as possible will help keep Bahia at bay.
\n\n\n\n![\"sparse](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Sparse-Bahiagrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Harry Rose / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nFor those who want to veer away from traditional chemical control methods, you have a couple of options that may work. A quick caveat though: these methods typically have a lower success rate and take much longer to see results.
\n\n\n\nSome people swear by using vinegar (scientifically known as acetic acid) as a weed killer. Mix one cup of white distilled vinegar, one cup of water, and a few drops of dish soap from under your kitchen sink. Shake the ingredients together and spray or pour it directly on the Bahiagrass.
\n\n\n\nThe vinegar pulls water out of the plant, drying out the leaves and ultimately (hopefully) killing whatever you pour it on. This is why it’s essential only to spray it on weeds, making sure it doesn’t get on anything you want to keep.
\n\n\n\nI’ve tried this method myself and have gotten mixed results. I’ve found it works best if you apply it on hot, sunny days and then repeat it every five days or so.
\n\n\n\nIf you have large Bahiagrass patches in your lawn or garden you want to get rid of, an effective way to tackle them naturally is to deprive the entire section of sunlight. Cover the Bahia with black plastic sheeting or large garbage bags, securing the corners so the covering stays in place. After a couple of weeks, everything under the plastic should be smothered out and dead.
\n\n\n\nPersonally, I think this method is best for your garden and flower beds. If you use it on your lawn, you’ll also kill any other grass in the area.
\n\n\n\nLastly, if you’re looking for an alternative pre-emergent method, you can apply corn gluten meal to your lawn. Use about 20 pounds of it per 1,000 square feet of grass for the best results.
\n\n\n\nCorn gluten meal has been used as an organic, natural pre-emergent herbicide for many years. Researchers at Iowa State University unintentionally discovered its pre-emergent properties in the early 1990s. When applied to the soil, it releases dipeptides, organic compounds that dry out seeds, so they have trouble sprouting.
\n\n\n\nIf you are looking for a chemical control option, you must carefully choose a product that considers Bahia a “weed” and kills it without damaging your turf. Some commonly used post-emergent herbicides include metsulfuron-methyl, sethoxydim, and imazaquin. Always read the product label and double-check that the herbicide is safe for the type of grass you’re growing.
The biggest problem with leaving Bahiagrass mixed in your turfgrass is its potential to spread and take over. If left unchecked, it could push out your desired turf, whether St. Augustine, Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, etc. Plus, Bahia seed heads are unsightly and pop up quickly when left unmowed.
Centipedegrass is the best choice if you’re looking for a warm-season turf that naturally keeps Bahiagrass out. It forms a dense, thick carpet of lawn that will usually keep Bahiagrass from creeping in or choke out any existing plants.
Hopefully, these ideas will help get rid of any unwanted Bahiagrass in your lawn. Once you’ve removed it, we’ve got plenty of resources online to help you with grass and lawn care to keep it from returning. And if you ever need help with lawn weed control, lawn care experts are only a click away!
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Harry Rose / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"How to Get Rid of Bahiagrass","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/1789c/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/107df/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/293e9/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/f2cbb/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/1789c/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/c26c2/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/1dd6e/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/67b76/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.webp 320w,\n/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/8df11/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.webp 500w,\n/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/98a65/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.webp 800w,\n/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/1dd6e/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.webp 960w,\n/static/672c3bc3a550b534a4a7011678f04f3c/3cc96/1280px-Paspalum_notatum_habit3_7391321372-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Get Rid of Bahiagrass | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Here are some of the best ways to get rid of weedy Bahiagrass in your landscape without damaging your lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"88b78703-c6e7-5dcc-ba32-d3b3cdccca73","slug":"water-restrictions-in-fort-worth-texas","path":"/lawn-care/tx/fort-worth/water-restrictions-in-fort-worth-texas/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jill Ramone is a landscaper who specializes in designing sustainable yards for busy homeowners. She prides herself on using eco-friendly products to control weeds and pests.","name":"Jill Ramone","id":"4c71091e-0a16-561f-8bdf-528214955c18","path":"/author/jillramone/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0caf6c31bc9563a294dd509633a793c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"9ccd5174-167e-5379-890b-68ac830ec905","name":"Forth Worth","count":5,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/fort-worth/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"July 17th, 2019","excerpt":"Water is our most precious resource. That’s why the city of Fort Worth has implemented year-round water restrictions limiting the amount we use. This comes at a time when many drought-prone areas are imposing similar restrictions. The city’s don’t want us to stop watering, just to water smartly. You can do that by familiarizing yourself […]
\n","content":"\nWater is our most precious resource. That’s why the city of Fort Worth has implemented year-round water restrictions limiting the amount we use. This comes at a time when many drought-prone areas are imposing similar restrictions. The city’s don’t want us to stop watering, just to water smartly. You can do that by familiarizing yourself with the water restrictions in Fort Worth.
\n\n\n\nFort Worth has implemented a twice a week smart watering system. This means you can water your yard and garden twice a week, but only on certain days.
\n\n\n\nThe water restrictions in Fort Worth also prohibit you from watering while it’s raining. Allowing your sprinkler to water the sidewalks and gutters is also a big no-no. Damaged sprinkler heads that lead to wasted water can also net you a fine.
\n\n\n\nAs of June 1, 2007, any irrigation system installed in the Fort Worth area must include rain and freeze sensors. This prevents automatic sprinklers from turning on when mother nature is watering for us. Before installing a new irrigation system, or retrofitting an old one, you must get a permit. And all commercial irrigation systems must have a sensor and be inspected annually.
\n\n\n\nThere are a few instances where the Twice A Week Smart Watering System does not apply:
\n\n\n\nViolating the City of Fort Worth’s regulations could cost you up to $2,000 for each offense, and each day you’re in violation counts as a separate offense. The city may even go a step further by locking in-ground irrigation systems for homeowners who break the rules. In addition to the fine, there’s a hefty fee to remove the lock-out device on your meter.
\n\n\n\nDo you have more questions about lawn care in Fort Worth? Check out our Fort Worth, TX, lawn care page.
\n","title":"Water Restrictions in Fort Worth, Texas","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5058823529411764,"src":"/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/38a09/sprinklers-in-garden.jpg","srcSet":"/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/107df/sprinklers-in-garden.jpg 320w,\n/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/293e9/sprinklers-in-garden.jpg 500w,\n/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/38a09/sprinklers-in-garden.jpg 640w","srcWebp":"/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/80c34/sprinklers-in-garden.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/67b76/sprinklers-in-garden.webp 320w,\n/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/8df11/sprinklers-in-garden.webp 500w,\n/static/763b128cb13257ebe18cad0d35c968a6/80c34/sprinklers-in-garden.webp 640w","sizes":"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Water Restrictions in Fort Worth, Texas | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"It's tough to fathom when we'll see the next drought in Texas. Wade through the current water restictions for Fort worth and the fines for violating them."}}},{"node":{"id":"c632c9a0-9948-55fd-9e8b-92ddd1074a3e","slug":"best-native-plants-for-kansas","path":"/lawn-care/kansas/best-native-plants-for-kansas/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"LaShonda Tucker is a freelance writer, poet, and spoken word artist in Atlanta. She earned her masters from the University of Georgia and enjoys playing her violin.","name":"LaShonda Tucker","id":"f7fdb6d3-a89a-5295-963a-aac47afa7cee","path":"/author/lashonda-tucker/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce61747b62dbfb82f56a8611f2835988?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"daa9a0d5-f2d7-5874-a2a1-2ce417a82733","name":"Kansas","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/kansas/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"May 25th, 2023","excerpt":"From the educational exhibits and programs at Great Plains Nature Center to the beaches, hiking, and fishing available at Lake Shawnee, Kansas is home to many places to learn about and enjoy nature. You can continue to enjoy nature and celebrate it by creating a home environment filled with the best native plants for Kansas. […]
\n","content":"\nFrom the educational exhibits and programs at Great Plains Nature Center to the beaches, hiking, and fishing available at Lake Shawnee, Kansas is home to many places to learn about and enjoy nature. You can continue to enjoy nature and celebrate it by creating a home environment filled with the best native plants for Kansas. Keep reading to find out the 10 best native plants to create a beautiful and diverse home garden.
\n\n\n\nNative plants not only promote biodiversity and support the local ecosystem, but they can also reduce the amount of time you spend on upkeep. Because they have adapted to the local climate, native plants typically require fewer waterings, fertilizers, and other maintenance tasks than non-native plants.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Weed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nButterfly milkweed, also known as butterfly weed, has bright orange flowers and wide green leaves that are an attractive addition to any native plant garden. However, all parts are poisonous if ingested. Butterfly milkweed is also an eye and skin irritant. As lovely as these summer blossoming flowers are, take precautions if you plant this herb and you have children or pets.
\n\n\n\nButterfly milkweed embraces stability and does not transplant well once planted. It requires minimal maintenance and is pest and disease tolerant. Milkweeds are crucial for the survival of the monarch butterfly. Their population has reduced significantly in the past two decades. Plant this herb in borders or a butterfly garden and proudly support your local ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Most areas of Eastern and Central Kansas and limited areas of Eastern Kansas
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Vanilla
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May to September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to animals and humans if ingested. Possible skin and eye irritants if touched.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\nThis beautiful herb has no shortage of fluffy-looking, striking yellow flowers. The petals are layered on top of each other, although you can also find them arranged side by side like a saucer with a slight upward bend.
\n\n\n\nLargeflower tickseed is indeed a large flower, measuring two inches across. This easy-to-grow flowering herb attracts butterflies and bees. It prefers full sun and is especially ideal for the South Central area.
\n\n\n\nOnce established, tickseed will survive off the area’s rainfall and may require watering once biweekly, at the most. This herb has also proven to grow well in the droughts of Northwestern Kansas. Plant it in cottage gardens or use it as an accent plant or container plant.
\n\n\n\nTo enjoy blossoms from late spring to late summer, remove the spent flower shoots.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Limited counties in all regions
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained, sand, loam, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial, biennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, spicey
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Summer and fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought tolerant, 1 inch per week
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1.5 to 2.5 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Some people are allergic to tickseed. This herb is susceptible to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Tickseed may attract aphids, aster leafhoppers, or coreopsis beetles.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low-maintenance, fertilize and deadhead to encourage robust blooms.
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cardinal_flower_Lobelia_cardinalis_027.jpg\")
Photo Credit: linnaeus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nLooking for a blast of fall color? This richly red flower blooms from midsummer to early fall. It enjoys moisture so much that it withstands brief flooding. If you are looking at low-maintenance landscaping ideas like rain gardens and xeriscaping, cardinal flower is a good choice.
\n\n\n\nBe mindful of its toxic potential. It’s harmful if large quantities are ingested.
\n\n\n\nHummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to this flower. Cardinal thrives in full sun but expects afternoon shade to grow at its best. If your soil remains wet, your property is a good home for this flower.
\n\n\n\nApply root mulch during the cold Kansas winters to protect cardinal flower’s root system and ensure sufficient room for the roots to grow.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Select counties in all regions
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sand, loam, clay, limestone-based
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No floral scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Fall and Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to high
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic if large amounts are ingested
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\nPurple coneflower is also called pink double delight. It has small-petaled reddish or purple flowers that look like little pom-poms that sit atop longer petals of the same color.
\n\n\n\nPurple coneflower is a favorite for homeowners wanting to see magnificent color during the cold Kansas winters. The pink double delight continues to bloom until frost.
\n\n\n\nPurple coneflower looks great in borders, beds, and wildflower gardens. It is deer resistant and tolerant of pests and diseases. This flower is very low maintenance and is even known to grow well when neglected.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sandy
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Light, sweet, honey-like
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: None; has medicinal properties
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Showy-Goldenrod.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dseiver / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThese yellow flowers cluster near the top of upright stems that reach up to five feet high. Showy goldenrod catches the attention of butterflies, bees, and birds. This flower has a rating of medium flammability, so it is not the best plant to place near the barbeque grill or outdoor fire pit.
\n\n\n\nShowy goldenrod thrives on properties with a lot of sun or partial shade. You will not have to water it much, as it is drought-tolerant once established. Add it to cottage gardens or borders. It’s not picky about soil choice, but moist soils may cause this showy wildflower to become aggressive.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Select areas of Eastern and Central Kansas; not native to Western Kansas
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Rocky, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Mild
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: July to September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Medium flammability
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low to Medium; May have to divide it every 2 years for size management.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/800px-Schizachyrium_scoparium_4zz.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nReady for a little winter color? Little bluestem is blue-green in the summer, yellow-orange in the fall, and copper in the winter.
\n\n\n\nThis plant is very adaptable and thrives in the wetter and drier areas of Kansas. It is humidity, heat, and drought-tolerant. Bluestem is easy to grow and will do well in a yard that gets a lot of sun.
\n\n\n\nBecause it is drought-resistant once established, little bluestem is ideal for rock gardens. Plant it on slopes to take advantage of its erosion control properties. Little bluestem is classified as a warm-season grass, so it is a great choice for a low-maintenance groundcover to replace turfgrass in lawns.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Ornamental grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry to moist, well-drained soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: August – February
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/New-England-Aster-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USFWS Midwest Region / Flickr / Public Domain
\n\n\n\nNew England aster is another plant that adds a little fall color. It blossoms for at least six weeks, starting in late summer. This flower looks like a daisy. It has pink petals emerging from a yellow center. Dark green leaves grow on stems that stand three to six feet tall.
\n\n\n\nNew England aster’s roots have been used for medicinal purposes, and it’s naturally found in moist soil or drying sandy soil.
\n\n\n\nThis daisy imposter attracts butterflies and bees. Plant it in butterfly gardens and cottage gardens and give it space for adequate air circulation.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Eastern Kansas; not native to Central and Western Kansas
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, sandy, loamy
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer – early fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Nontoxic
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium. If it grows tall, it may require staking or other support. Pinching back stems before midsummer controls plant height and promotes flower growth.
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/372193348_617265a4e6_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dinesh Valke / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nFall phlox has small white flowers that clump together atop stems with dark green leaves. The flower opens to show a yellow center.
\n\n\n\nLike New England aster, fall phlox needs space for good airflow. Although this herb is a breathtaking display, she takes some extra work to maintain because of her high susceptibility to diseases and pests. For example, to manage her risk of powdery mildew, plant her so that she receives adequate air circulation. Do not water her from the top, and remove her from the garden in the winter.
\n\n\n\nDespite all the fuss she causes, fall phlox is a great choice for pollinator gardens and in perennial borders. She also supports the ecosystem by attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and other birds.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: South Central, Northwest, and limited areas of Eastern Kansas
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – October
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 ft
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: No hazards
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\n![\"Beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/pink-evening-primrose-g6b9ec0b4d_1280-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nPinkladies, also called Mexican primrose, have four large white petals. You may also see her boasting pink petals. In either case, she has a yellow center and white stigmas. The stems are erect, and this showy herb beckons hummingbirds, bees, and hawk moths to pollinate the petals.
\n\n\n\nAlthough she requires full sun, she tolerates a variety of soils. If you have a lot of shade and poor soil, pink ladies will understandably adapt.
\n\n\n\nShe works well in coastal gardens and wildflower gardens. Because this herb tolerates drought, she is a good choice for rock gardens. Mexican primrose can get beside herself and become invasive. As a result, she is earmarked as an excellent option for groundcover.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Southeast and most of Eastern and Central Kansas; limited areas of Northwest Kansas
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained sand, loam, clay, or rocky soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: February – October
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low-Medium, Drought-resistant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: None known
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Plant in a confined space to prevent overgrowth. Prune or mow in late summer or early fall.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/40977811455_49680606f2_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Katja Schluz / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for a tall shrub, look no further. Spicebush grows up to 12 feet tall. She is known for her small yellow flowers that sprout in early to mid-spring and red berries that follow. The ripe berries attract small mammals and birds in the fall. The flowers are prey to pollinators and butterflies. The twigs and leaves have been used for medicinal purposes and teas, and the fruit has been used as a spice.
\n\n\n\nWoodland gardens and rain gardens provide a wonderful spot for spicebush to showcase her fall color.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Select areas of Southeast Kansas; not native in other areas
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist but well-drained clay, loam, or sandy soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Allspice
\n\n\n\nBloom Time/Season of Interest: Spring and autumn
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 6-12 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: None; all parts of the plant aside from the roots and stems are edible and female plants have edible berries
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\nYou’ll want plants with the necessary hardiness to survive the hot Kansas summers, cold winters, multiple soil types, and varying rainfall levels. Choose plants that are most likely to thrive in your area of the state. Plants not native to your area may still grow well, but it may take more maintenance to keep them alive and thriving.
\n\n\n\nSome other things you can do to choose the best native plants are:
\n\n\n\nResearch can be your best friend. Gather all the information necessary to make sure your vegetation is a practical fit for your yard’s conditions, your maintenance preferences, and your family composition.
\n\n\n\nHere are some benefits of using native plants:
• Native plants are adapted to the Kansas climate. They will still require some maintenance to be healthy, but they require less watering, fertilizing, and other tasks that may be necessary to keep non-native plants thriving.
• Native plants are adapted to local diseases and pests. These plants require fewer, if any, chemical treatments, like pesticides and fungicides, to manage infestations and insect problems.
• Because fewer pesticides, fertilizer, and other toxic substances are needed on native plants, fewer chemicals run off into the water supply.
• Native plants support the local ecosystem by providing food and habitat to local pollinators, insects, and wildlife.
• Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
• Missouri evening primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa)
• Rose verbena (Glandularia canadensis)
• Smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
• Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii)
• Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
• Eastern blue star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
• Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
• Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana)
• Royal catchfly (Silene regia)
• Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
• Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
• Wintercreeper euonymus (Euonymus fortunei var. coloratus)
• Purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma)
• Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
• Shrub rose (Rosa spp.)
You probably already know you can find native plants at The Wichita Gardens. But if you want native plants to start your own garden, the Kansas Native Plant Society has information on native plant sales, nurseries, and more.
\n\n\n\nYou now have the resources to create a home environment that provides habitats and food sources for local pollinators and insects. Let’s get you over to the Kansas City Zoo to see wildlife that you won’t see, and probably don’t want to see, visiting your property. (The zoo is for little and big kids, which includes you.) Hand over your outdoor mowing, edging, and trimming chores to a local lawn care pro so you can do something else.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Purple Coneflower / James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"10 Best Native Plants for Kansas","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/1789c/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/107df/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/293e9/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/f2cbb/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/1789c/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/c26c2/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/1dd6e/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/67b76/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp 320w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/8df11/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp 500w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/98a65/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp 800w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/1dd6e/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp 960w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/3cc96/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Native Plants for Kansas | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"This article highlights the best native plants for Kansas that provide diversity for your home landscape and support the local ecosystem."}}},{"node":{"id":"4f7986c9-62a1-59f4-818c-6e4f69632eb4","slug":"worst-backyard-pests-in-minneapolis","path":"/lawn-care/mn/minneapolis/worst-backyard-pests-in-minneapolis/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jay Keaton is a lawn care specialist who focuses on organic pest control. His yard is filled with chrysanthemums, basil, borage, marigolds and other plants that repel bugs.","name":"Jay Keaton","id":"aa1543ca-6fab-5e4b-bd0c-12f87aa13f51","path":"/author/jay-keaton/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6abb3b96ee2a6dcce741112f06af213b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"9badf8d4-14ba-5471-aa78-425360d9330e","name":"Minneapolis","count":5,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mn/minneapolis/"},{"id":"559d4c6e-5b85-5b4a-86c3-1f1a5351df4b","name":"Minnesota","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mn/"}],"date":"August 6th, 2019","excerpt":"It’s time to put away that ‘Minnesota nice’ and get tough on the insect invaders.
\n","content":"\nTwin Cities gardeners hate any backyard bugs that destroy lawns and gardens. But some of those pests will wreak more damage than others. It’s time to put away that “Minnesota nice” and get tough on the insect invaders. Here are some of the worst backyard pests in Minneapolis — and tips on how to get rid of them.
\n\n\n\nCutworms (pictured above) aren’t really worms. They’re caterpillars that will turn into several different species of the Noctuidae moth if left alone. The adult moths don’t do any damage. It’s the cutworms in their larval stage that feed on buds, shoots, and leaves, and wreak havoc in your garden. Some prefer your vegetable garden, while other species will damage the lawn. Cutworms get about 2 inches long and curl up into a tight “C” shape if you bother them.
\n\n\n\nYou can pick them off your plants by hand and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. Consider adding some beneficial nematodes to your garden to devour the cutworm eggs. You can prevent them from invading your garden by maintaining a 3-foot buffer of dry soil around the edge of your garden. Make sure your yard is well weeded, so cutworms don’t feed on the weeds. And till your plots before planting — it will expose and kill the cutworms long before they can do any damage.
\n\n\n\n![\"Japanese](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xvntc7whoQz75e9Y5YcsQdFNGTp-dXYnPv-qqQVAEui3agjF8A67m9ZKi47qczN0vBlQQxioe9G_TFCiJTmej_NWKJZqDgK_bYsxdJ-nWMQfNDdgDrpixSOpEUEpRT-AnLtLTFBK\")
If you spot iridescent green beetles in your vegetable patch, you’ve got Japanese beetles. The Japanese beetle is an invasive species that was accidentally introduced to the U.S. in the early 20th century. Today they’re a major backyard pest in the Midwest and on the East Coast. They attack in groups, damaging plants. Even if you don’t see the beetle itself, you can tell they’ve moved in when they’ve eaten your plants down to the veins. They can also cause brown patches in your lawn.
\n\n\n\nOne of the most effective ways to get rid of Japanese beetles is to handpick them. Drop them into a mixture of dish detergent and water, and they will drown. Or put a drop cloth underneath the plants and shake them off. Then, drown them in the detergent water. You can also spray neem oil or potassium bicarbonate on affected plants. This will kill the eggs laid by the adult beetles. There are also commercial pesticides available for sale at your local garden store that will kill Japanese beetles.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll be glad to know that termites aren’t common in Minneapolis. But carpenter ants are a problem, and if you see ants burrowing into an old stump, or log, or your deck, they could be getting inside your home. Like termites, carpenter ants do some costly damage, eating away at the foundation of your house.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll need to call a professional pest removal company to get rid of these buggers. This isn’t the time to try DIY pest control. Some bug sprays can make the problem worse since carpenter ants have several colonies and queens. But you can help yourself out by removing any stumps, logs or old wood near your home, and cut back any branches or bushes from touching your home. Also, make sure you stack firewood away from the walls of your home and inspect any firewood you bring inside.
\n\n\n\nThe bluegrass billbug likes Kentucky bluegrass, as the name suggests. You’ll know you have a problem when you spot irregularly shaped patches of grass that turn yellow, and then brown. The damaged grass can be pulled out easily because the insects weaken the roots. Damage from this backyard pest becomes apparent around July.
\n\n\n\nYou can squeeze the billbug infestation out by making your grass healthier. That means keeping up moisture levels and nutrients, to reduce stress. Lawn experts don’t recommend pesticides for these pests, because the chemicals also kill beneficial bugs and parasites that keep the billbug population in check. However, an application of insect parasitic nematodes might control the infestation. If the infestation is too severe, consider laying down pesticides the following spring.
\n\n\n\nThis caterpillar will destroy your irises. Iris borers chew holes in the leaves and then tunnel through the plant all the way down into the rhizome, the underground runner that is the prize this pest is after. You can spot the iris borer in the spring, by looking for signs of chewed up leaves, or streaks. In the summer, after the caterpillar makes its way down to the rhizome, you’ll see brown-tipped leaves.
\n\n\n\nIf you find them in the spring, you can simply crush the caterpillar while it’s inside the iris leaf, or pick the affected leaves. But if you suspect iris borers later in the season, you need to dig it up and inspect the rhizome. If you see signs of tunneling or the caterpillars themselves, toss the rhizome in the trash. In the fall, after the iris season is over, experts recommend you remove and burn any plants afflicted with the pest. And clean up the iris beds after a hard frost. If you use a pesticide, apply it immediately after the eggs hatch — very early in the spring.
\n\n\n\nFighting the worst backyard pests in Minneapolis can be a time-consuming job. But it’s easier to treat the problem before the damage becomes severe. The difficult part is knowing which pests are damaging which plants. Once you’ve identified the enemy, it will easier to fight it.
\n\n\n\nLooking for more lawn care information and tips? Be sure to check our Minneapolis lawn care page.
With a climate that boasts hot summers, mild winters, and stunning spring and fall days, Atlanta is the perfect place for both warm-season and cool-season grasses to flourish. But with so many options, choosing the right grass for your lawn can be as challenging as finding the perfect peach cobbler recipe. Don’t worry. From the […]
\n","content":"\nWith a climate that boasts hot summers, mild winters, and stunning spring and fall days, Atlanta is the perfect place for both warm-season and cool-season grasses to flourish. But with so many options, choosing the right grass for your lawn can be as challenging as finding the perfect peach cobbler recipe.
\n\n\n\nDon’t worry. From the more common Bermudagrass to the perennial Zoysia, these seven best grass types for Atlanta will make your yard the envy of the neighborhood. So, whether you want a lawn that can handle the heat or one that can brave the winter chill, you’ll find the perfect match here.
\n\n\n\nThere are notable distinctions between warm-season and cool-season grasses. Warm-season grasses exhibit rapid growth and are more tolerant to drought conditions. On the other hand, the key characteristic of cool-season grasses is their resilience and luxuriant growth.
\n\n\n\nHowever, these dissimilarities are just the tip of the iceberg. Here are some additional traits that can help you differentiate between these two types of grasses:
\n\n\n\nThe following warm-season and cool-season grass types are perfectly suited for the climatic and soil conditions of Atlanta:
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bermudagrass-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bidgee / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nA warm-season grass commonly found in the southern regions of the United States, bermudagrass is known for its fine texture, drought tolerance, and ability to grow in a wide range of soil types.
\n\n\n\nThis fast-growing grass can quickly inhabit a new area. It has a high tolerance for heat and heavy foot traffic, making it an excellent choice for areas that receive a lot of sun and activity. That’s why it’s a popular choice not just for residential lawns but also for golf courses and sports fields across Atlanta.
\n\n\n\nCommon bermudagrass may be a suitable choice for those looking for a grass type that has a coarser texture and requires less maintenance. However, for those who prefer a more refined and fine-textured grass, hybrid cultivars may be a better fit, although they require greater care and attention to maintain their appearance.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low – some varieties need more sun than others
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High – may become dormant in long periods of drought
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high – requires frequent watering, fertilization, and mowing to maintain its appearance and health
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1-2 inches – raise the mower height during periods of drought or extreme heat
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate – common diseases include dollar spot, large patch, leaf spot, and spring dead spot; can be prone to armyworms, bermudagrass mites, and nematodes
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Grows in most soil types
\n\n\n\nOther notes: This grass species has the impressive ability to rapidly propagate itself. But this aggressive spreading also can be a double-edged sword, as it may result in the grass taking over and invading nearby flower beds or other cultivated areas.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Centipede-Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James Becwar / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\nWith its low-growing, dense, and carpet-like appearance, centipedegrass is another popular choice for lawns across the southern United States. This low-maintenance, warm-season grass requires less water and fertilizer than other turfgrasses, making it a cost-effective option for homeowners who want a lawn that doesn’t require constant upkeep.
\n\n\n\nCentipedegrass prefers well-drained soils and partial shade. While it may not have the same deep green color as other grass varieties, centipedegrass does produce attractive seed heads that turn brown as they mature.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate – grows best in direct sunlight but can survive with as little as six hours of sun exposure a day
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low to moderate – may become dormant during extended periods of drought
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low – thrives even with minimal watering, mowing, and fertilization
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1.5-2 inches – increase the mowing height by ½ inch if the area is shaded
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate – mostly prone to iron chlorosis, centipedegrass decline, nematodes, ground pearl insects, spittlebugs, grubs, and lawn catterpillars
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5-6
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Acidic, infertile, and well-drained soils
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Avoid overfertilization and high nitrogen rates to lessen the risk of diseases and pest infestations.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/St-Augustine-Grass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nKnown for its thick, lush, and coarse texture, St. Augustinegrass is another warm-season turfgrass that’s popular among homeowners in Atlanta. This grass variety thrives in hot and humid climates and is well-suited for coastal areas due to its tolerance for salt spray. It requires regular watering, fertilization, and mowing.
\n\n\n\nSt. Augustinegrass prefers well-drained soils and sunny areas but also can tolerate partial shade. While it may not be as cold-tolerant as some other grass varieties, it can recover quickly from damage and has resistance to many common lawn diseases.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate – can handle partial shade
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high – needs frequent watering, mowing, and fertilization
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2.5-4 inches (mow dwarf cultivars from 2.5-3 inches, standard cultivars from 3-4 inches, mow tall in shade)
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high – resistant to weeds and other common lawn diseases, but can be susceptible to nematodes, take-all root rot, chinch bugs, grass loopers, and cutworms
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Well-drained, sandy soils
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Unlike other grass types, it doesn’t do well in compacted, clay soils
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Zoysia-grass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nA warm-season turfgrass, Zoysiagrass is perfect for areas with low rainfall and humid summers like Atlanta. Known for its fine texture and dense, carpet-like appearance, this light green grass variety requires low to moderate maintenance – infrequent watering, fertilization, and mowing. It prefers being exposed to direct sunlight but can tolerate some shade.
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass is also known for its ability to spread rapidly through stolons and rhizomes, creating a thick and resilient turf. It’s not as cold-tolerant as other grass types, but it can quickly recover from damage.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High – although it needs supplemental watering during dry periods
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1-2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate – common diseases include fairy rings, dollar spot, brown patch, powdery mildew, pythium blight, rust, large patch, spring dead spot, leaf spot, root decline, chinch bugs, zoysiagrass mites, and mole crickets
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Grows in most soil types but prefers well-drained soils
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Homeowners who love hosting BBQ parties in their yards prefer this grass variety for its resilience to foot traffic.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kentucky-Bluegrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nA cool-season grass, Kentucky bluegrass is known for its fine texture and rich bluish-green color. It flourishes exceptionally well in the cooler northern regions of Georgia, making it an ideal choice for residential properties, parks, sports fields, and golf courses in Atlanta.
\n\n\n\nThis grass variety requires moderate maintenance, including regular watering, fertilization, and mowing. Kentucky bluegrass is also known for its ability to spread through underground rhizomes, creating a dense and resilient turf.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low to moderate – prefers full sun
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low to moderate, but recuperates well
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2-3 inches – mow taller during summer
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high – can be prone to snow molds, summer patch, leaf spot, fairy rings, dollar spot, necrotic ring spot, chinch bugs, bluegrass billbugs, grubs, and greenbugs
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-7
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Well-drained, fertile soils
\n\n\n\nOther notes: It’s most often mixed with other species, such as tall fescue, in home lawns. Due to its limited root depth, regular watering is necessary. Poor soil conditions and lack of water can cause diseases, but newer cultivars are generally hardier and more resistant to disease.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Perennial-ryegrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nA cool-season grass, perennial ryegrass, grows best in the northern United States. This grass type has a fine texture, bright green color, and quick germination. It’s often used in overseeding practices for winter color in warm-season grasses.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass can establish quickly and produce a dense turf, making it a popular choice for high-traffic areas like sports fields. While it may not be as drought-tolerant as bermudagrass, perennial ryegrass is a versatile option for those looking for a lawn with a lush and vibrant appearance.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Tillers (Bunch forming)
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low – needs at least four to five hours under the sun
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High – but recuperates poorly
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: High – needs frequent watering, mowing, and fertilization
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2-3 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: High – susceptible to flag rust, stem rust, leaf spot, downy mildew, brown patch, red thread, chinch bugs, and greenbug aphids
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-7
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Grows in most soil types but prefers well-drained, fertile soils
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Should you choose to overseed your warm-season grass with perennial ryegrass, maintain a proper balance of sunlight, moisture, and nutrients to lessen the risk of damage to your lawn.
\n\n\n\n![\"Closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1024px-Festuca_arundinacea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bildoj / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nKnown for its deep green color and coarse texture, tall fescue is a popular choice for lawns in the central and eastern regions of the United States. This cool-season grass can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, including drought, heat, and shade.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue needs moderate upkeep, which entails regular watering, fertilizing, and mowing. This grass variety has a deep and extensive root system, which enables it to endure dry spells and periods of drought.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Tillers (Bunch forming)
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate – doesn’t recover easily from wear
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2-4 inches (Check your cultivar and state recommendations, as many tall fescue lawns grow best when they’re mowed on the tall side.)
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low to moderate – can be susceptible to brown patch, leaf spot, seedling disease, cutworms, armyworms, grubs, and sod webworms
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.5-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Grows in most soil types but prefers clay soils
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Fertilize it only once in September and November. To restore the lushness of your lawn and address thinning and patchy areas, it is recommended to sow new grass seeds every few years.
\n\n\n\nIf you want your lawn to be more pet-friendly, a grass variety that can withstand wear and tear, pet waste, and frequent paw traffic is essential. Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass are both popular options for pet-friendly lawns, as they are tough and can withstand the rigors of pet use.
A cool-season grass like tall fescue is typically the best choice for a shady lawn in Atlanta. This grass variety is well-suited for areas with limited sunlight and can tolerate shade better than warm-season grasses like bermudagrass or zoysiagrass.
If your lawn constantly gets heavy foot traffic, bermudagrass and tall fescue are good options, as they both have a deep root system that helps them withstand heavy use.
Centipedegrass and zoysiagrass are your best options for a low-maintenance lawn. Both are warm-season grasses that are well-adapted to the hot and humid climate of Atlanta, and they require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass.
While there are several grass types that grow well in Atlanta’s humid subtropical climate, each variety has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Consider factors like sunlight, soil type, and maintenance requirements when selecting the right type of grass for your lawn.
\n\n\n\nUltimately, the best grass for your landscape will depend on your specific needs, landscape plants, and preferences. Whether you opt for bermudagrass for its drought tolerance and rapid growth or St. Augustine for its lush, green appearance, the key is to give it proper care and attention. Enhance your home’s appeal and value with a healthy and vibrant lawn. Reach out to an Atlanta lawn care pro today.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Peakpx
\n","title":"7 Best Grass Types for Atlanta","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3574660633484164,"src":"/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/1789c/Grassy-Lawn-2.jpg","srcSet":"/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/107df/Grassy-Lawn-2.jpg 320w,\n/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/293e9/Grassy-Lawn-2.jpg 500w,\n/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/f2cbb/Grassy-Lawn-2.jpg 800w,\n/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/1789c/Grassy-Lawn-2.jpg 960w,\n/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/c26c2/Grassy-Lawn-2.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/1dd6e/Grassy-Lawn-2.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/67b76/Grassy-Lawn-2.webp 320w,\n/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/8df11/Grassy-Lawn-2.webp 500w,\n/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/98a65/Grassy-Lawn-2.webp 800w,\n/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/1dd6e/Grassy-Lawn-2.webp 960w,\n/static/eec238f235fbd28d190bdb30f136ba64/3cc96/Grassy-Lawn-2.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"7 Best Grass Types for Atlanta | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Discover the seven best grass types for Atlanta's climate. From bermudagrass to Zoysiagrass, find your perfect match for a lush lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"c4a93188-9617-5631-a91d-50a6a9fc8386","slug":"best-native-plants-jacksonville","path":"/lawn-care/fl/jacksonville/best-native-plants-jacksonville/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Lauren Bryant is a freelance writer based out of Eugene, Oregon, with a B.A. in English and a minor in comics and cartoon studies. She is excitedly awaiting the day when she can grow her own edible garden.","name":"Lauren Bryant","id":"104563f0-6820-5e73-b732-a5aa9cd0fd4c","path":"/author/lauren-bryant/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/59c00f89f2a61befe0b5d36cc3b0cc62?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"57f1b1d9-6347-5707-b4b6-65e6dd1b393d","name":"Florida","count":46,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/"},{"id":"075cc120-3dd3-51e4-aead-643f50a8453e","name":"Jacksonville","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/jacksonville/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"August 6th, 2019","excerpt":"The subtropical climate of Jacksonville surely calls for a beautiful tropical garden. But wait — don’t purchase imported landscape plants just yet. North Florida has many gorgeous native plants, some only found in this state. You may even find native alternatives to plants you’re considering, such as hibiscus and azaleas. Why native plants? Not only […]
\n","content":"\nThe subtropical climate of Jacksonville surely calls for a beautiful tropical garden. But wait — don’t purchase imported landscape plants just yet. North Florida has many gorgeous native plants, some only found in this state. You may even find native alternatives to plants you’re considering, such as hibiscus and azaleas.
\n\n\n\nWhy native plants? Not only will they be easier to care for, but the local wildlife will thank you for it. These plants are much more likely to survive Jacksonville weather, pests, and diseases. If you’re ready to make your garden part of the local ecosystem, consider the following 14 native plants.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Coral-Bean.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Everglades National Park / Flickr / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\nYou get a two-for-one deal with coral beans: beautiful flowers and seed pods. The plant grows red tubular flowers in spring, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. By fall, they’ll turn into pea pods with bright red seeds. They may look appetizing, but put away your fork and knife — they’re toxic if ingested.
\n\n\n\nCoral beans are visually appealing in spring and fall but don’t look exciting when not flowering or producing seeds. They’ll play an excellent supporting role in your garden landscape, so pair them with various plants for visual interest year-round.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6a-9b
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial in Northern Florida
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or light shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Fertile, sandy, and well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low once established
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: The seeds are poisonous – keep away from pets and children
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pink-Pinxter-Azalea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: EoRdE6 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThough many azaleas come from Asia or are hybrids, some are native to Florida. Pink pinxter azalea is native to the Jacksonville area, though other Florida varieties may also thrive here. This plant’s fragrant white to dark pink flowers are stunning in spring and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nPink pinxter azaleas have decent pest and disease resistance, but watch out for mites, iron deficiency, and mushroom rot. They do best when shielded from harsh winds. This plant is relatively slow-growing and needs little pruning. If you decide to prune, wait until after flowering. Do not allow people or animals to ingest this plant, as it could be deadly.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6b-10a
\n\n\n\nMature size: 10-15 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Perennial
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Highly toxic if ingested; could be fatal
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Beautyberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nAs the name suggests, the American beautyberry’s fruit is the star of the show. Birds love eating them and have thus spread the seeds all over Florida. Humans can eat these berries in small amounts or make them into jellies and wines. The purple fruit appears around September, but you can enjoy its lavender-pink flowers in spring and summer.
\n\n\n\nThis drought-tolerant plant works well for borders. If you decide to prune it, do so before it flowers for the best results.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 7-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-8 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers rich soils but can also grow in poor, sandy soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic for humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Black-Eyed-Susan.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nLove wildflowers? The yellow, orange, and red colors of the Black-eyed Susan are a bright and cheery choice for gardeners in the Sunshine State. They flower in summer and fall. Use it for your butterfly garden, or pick some for a beautiful bouquet.
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan is easy to grow and tough. It can handle drought and salt, making it ideal for coastal homes in Jacksonville. While they’re great for creating borders or carpets of flowers, they could become a weed since their seeds spread and germinate readily.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 2-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-3 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Perennial
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Can grow in most soil types
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Not poisonous to humans, but can be a skin irritant or cause allergic reactions if consumed; could be poisonous to grazing animals
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Beach-Sunflower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bob Peterson / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe beach sunflower blooms practically year-round. Like other sunflowers, the flower head will turn to face the sun as it moves through the sky. Butterflies like its flowers, and birds like its fruit. Though there are several varieties throughout Florida, you should use the local variety, cucumber dune sunflower, to avoid hybridization with the native plant population.
\n\n\n\nBeach sunflowers are well-suited to hot, dry, salty coastal climates. Don’t overwater this drought-resistant plant, or it may fall victim to sunflower rust. Though beach sunflowers may not survive a freeze, they will reseed and quickly spread again, making an excellent ground cover. Fertilize once or twice a year at most.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 8b-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-4 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial, but will be annual if there are freezing temperatures
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sandy or well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oakleaf-Hydrangea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: normanack / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe oakleaf hydrangea is aptly named for its leaf shape. The broad, dark leaves grow up to 12 inches long, with the biggest growing in the shade. The leaves may turn red, bronze, or purple in the fall and may stay on the plant into the winter. Cone-shaped flower clusters bloom in the summer months, then turn light pink or purple. In winter, the unusual peeling bark adds visual interest even when the plant is bare.
\n\n\n\nBecause they prefer shade, oakleaf hydrangeas are perfect for yards with tree cover. They need little water or maintenance, but you should water them during dry spells and prune them periodically to your liking. Leave room for it to grow and send up new shoots, or get a dwarf or compact cultivar. Oakleaf hydrangeas aren’t kid or pet friendly since eating any part is toxic.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9a
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6-10 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Prefers full shade, but partial is tolerable
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Does best in fertile, well-drained soil but can survive in other conditions
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: All parts are toxic when ingested; keep away from children and pets
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Coontie.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe coontie may look like a fern or palm tree, but it’s a cycad. Its glossy, feathery leaves are food for Atala butterfly larvae, a species once thought to be extinct in Florida. While the native people in this region historically created cooking flour from its stems, they are toxic unless properly prepared.
\n\n\n\nCoontie has a high drought tolerance and does well in the cold. Its mild salt tolerance helps it survive in coastal areas like Jacksonville. It does best in well-drained soil but will survive in full sun, partial shade, or full shade. Use coontie as a specimen plant or fill large areas with it for a wild look.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Cycad (shrub-sized)
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 10a-9b
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-3 feet tall, 3-5 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade, and full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-draining soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: The stem is toxic to ingest unless properly prepared
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Chickasaw-Plum.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Lm13700 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nIf you plant a chickasaw plum tree, its tiny white flowers will entice you with their smell. They look particularly striking since they bloom before the leaves have returned after winter. Soon the flowers will turn into red fruits that turn yellow as they ripen. You can eat them yourself or watch wild animals enjoy the feast.
\n\n\n\nChickasaw plum trees grow quickly and resist most pests and diseases. Though they’re drought tolerant, they may need a drink during dry spells. One feature you may or may not like is the abundance of tree suckers, which are vertical stems growing near the base. They aren’t harmful to the tree and can benefit wildlife, but some people find them unappealing and messy. Prune them if you’d like.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: Typically 6-12 feet, but can be up to 25 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Prefers full sun but can tolerate dappled shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Tolerates a wide variety of soil types but prefers acidic soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low once established
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Low poison severity from cyanide in leaves, stems, and seeds when ingested
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Southern-Live-Oak.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere
\n\n\n\nWant a break from the harsh sun? Once established, a large southern live oak will provide plenty of shade in your yard. When fully grown, they can have a height of up to 60 feet and a spread of 100 feet. They can live for hundreds of years. You may see Spanish moss growing on it, but not to worry — it won’t hurt the tree.
\n\n\n\nLive oaks are best for large yards, so they have ample space to grow. Plan other landscaping accordingly; you don’t want your tree stealing all the sunlight from plants that need it. Pair with shade-tolerant plants to make sure all your green friends are happy. To improve wind resistance, prune your live oak regularly when young.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 7b-10b
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 60 feet tall with a spread of 100 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen or evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Low toxicity to humans if young leaves or raw acorns are ingested
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sabal-Palm.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere
\n\n\n\nFlorida and palm trees go together like shrimp and grits. Want a local variety? Sabal palms earned the title of state tree in 1953. They’re also called cabbage palms or palmettos because the immature leaves taste like cabbage. The bud, or heart of palm, is also edible. Sabal palms produce tiny white flowers that pollinators love, then small black fruits that make a good snack for wild animals.
\n\n\n\nDespite the many edible parts of this plant, it’s not the best idea to handle the tree too much since the leaves may cause skin irritation. Sabal palms can handle salt spray but aren’t as tolerant of salt near their roots. Watch out for the fatal Lethal Bronzing Disease (LBD). While it’s incurable, preventative treatments could save your tree if others nearby are infected.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Palm
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 7b-11b
\n\n\n\nMature size: 40-50 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sandy soil or well-drained loam
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Skin irritant
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tickseed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Alabama Extension / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\nThe name may not sound pretty, but don’t judge a book by its cover (or title, in this case). These daisy-like flowers cover fields, gardens, and roadsides throughout Florida in spring, summer, and sometimes fall. Coreopsis, or tickseed, is Florida’s state wildflower and a type of aster. Though most have yellow petals, some varieties come in other colors, such as the purple Georgia tickseed.
\n\n\n\nThere are several varieties of tickseeds in Florida. Coastal plain tickseed, Leavenworth’s tickseed, Texas tickseed, and Georgia tickseed are all found naturally in Duval County. Tickseed is typically drought tolerant, but it depends on the species. While short-lived, they can stick around for years since they reseed themselves. Taller flowers may need support to stay upright.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-3 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Annual to short-lived perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Prefers full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers well-drained soils that aren’t overly rich; tolerates acidic, slightly alkaline, sandy, loam, and clay soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate to low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic to humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Hibiscus.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Quartl / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nWhile some hibiscus varieties originate in Asia, several are right at home in the Florida landscape. The varieties found naturally in Duval County are comfort root, scarlet rosemallow, swamp rosemallow, and crimson-eyed rosemallow. Though their colorful flowers are short-lived, hibiscus plants produce many flowers throughout the flowering season. Hummingbirds and butterflies will flock to them for nectar.
\n\n\n\nHibiscuses come in shrub and tree forms suitable for hedges. These plants may be a good fit if your yard is too wet for other perennials since they prefer moist soil. Hibiscus are sensitive to the cold weather in North Florida, so they may lose their leaves and die away above ground. However, they can still return from the roots through shoots in spring. Watch out for aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub or tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 8-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 4 to 20 feet, depending on the variety; annual freezes will make the plant generally shorter
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennials
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Any soil that is not too dry; tolerates extended flooding and sandy, loamy, clay, and acidic soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Coral-Honeysuckle.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Zeynel Cebeci / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThey may not live under the sea like real coral, but their clusters of long flowers are just as pretty. Coral honeysuckle is also called trumpet honeysuckle because of the flower’s shape. Most coral honeysuckle flowers are red, but some cultivars have pink or yellow flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds will enjoy the flowers, and songbirds will enjoy the fruit that follows.
\n\n\n\nThis vine is suitable for trellises, fences, hanging baskets, or erosion-preventing ground cover. Coral honeysuckle is low-maintenance, drought-resistant, and pest-resistant but won’t flower as nicely in the shade and may die back in freezing weather. Its fast growth can be aggressive, so carefully direct growth where you want. This local species is an excellent substitute for the invasive Japanese honeysuckle.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 15 feet, but it depends on the supporting structure
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Does best in slightly acidic soils but tolerates most soil types; doesn’t do well in dry sands
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: May upset stomach if consumed
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Carolina-Jessamine.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jim Evans / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nWant a taste of spring flowers before your other plants bloom? Carolina jessamine flowers in late winter and early spring. The flowers are yellow, fragrant, and trumpet-shaped (thus the nickname “evening trumpet flower”). The “Pride of Augusta” cultivar has double flowers and a longer blooming season. Look but don’t touch — the sap contains a skin irritant, and the whole plant is toxic, sometimes even to honeybees.
\n\n\n\nCarolina jessamine looks great on trellises, fences, and pergolas. It also works as a groundcover in sloped yards. The vine grows quickly but is containable. Carolina jessamine has few disease and insect problems and tolerates frost and drought. It may drop leaves if too dry, but it will bounce back quickly. Don’t overfertilize, as it reduces flowering.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6a-10b
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, rich, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: The whole plant contains poisonous toxins, including nectar that may be toxic to honeybees. It also has skin-irritating sap.
\n\n\n\nJacksonville falls in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9A, with this zone determined by the average minimum winter temperature. While non-native plants may still thrive in these conditions, native plants do even better. Native plants have adapted to everything in the area, from weather to soil salinity.
\n\n\n\nThat said, each yard is slightly different. Get a soil test from your local cooperative extension or soil testing lab to learn about its texture (sand, silt, clay, or loam) and pH, nutrient, and salinity levels. You’ll also need to consider your current landscape. Are there shady trees? A nearby body of water? Ask your neighbors what plants have done well in their yards to understand what to expect.
\n\n\n\nYou could choose plants specifically to attract wildlife, practical plants to provide shade on your patio, or the lowest-maintenance plants possible. Once you know what you want out of your yard, you can narrow down your choices.
\n\n\n\nThe bad news for North Florida residents is that many plants that bloom year-round in Central and South Florida won’t bloom in Jacksonville. You could get lantana, a native of South Florida, for your yard. However, be sure not to choose a non-native version as this species is invasive in the area and toxic to livestock. If you need your floral fix in winter, consider houseplants instead.
The best native plants to adorn your fence are coral honeysuckle and Carolina jessamine. If you’d prefer a non-climbing plant to hide your fence with, hydrangea and hibiscus will add the desired visual interest.
North Florida tends to have very sandy soils. This soil texture is good for plants that need good drainage but won’t work well for plants that prefer clay. The native plants on this list either prefer or tolerate the sandy soils typical in Jacksonville.
Sometimes, the best way to decide which plants to buy is to see them in person. The employees at your local native plant nursery can help guide you through the plant selection process. Here are some local garden centers that carry native plants:
\n\n\n\nWant to buy online? You can purchase plant seeds from the Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative.
\n\n\n\nWhile you’re at it, consider planting a new lawn or implementing low-maintenance landscaping. If you’re worried about storms tearing apart all your hard work, focus on hurricane-resistant landscaping to keep your garden and house safe.
You may find your new gardening journey overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to contact local landscaping pros in Jacksonville to handle anything you’re uncomfortable with or don’t have time for.
Main Image Credit: Canna lirio / PublicDomainPictures
\n","title":"14 Best Native Plants for Jacksonville, FL","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/1789c/Native-plant.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/107df/Native-plant.jpg 320w,\n/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/293e9/Native-plant.jpg 500w,\n/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/f2cbb/Native-plant.jpg 800w,\n/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/1789c/Native-plant.jpg 960w,\n/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/c26c2/Native-plant.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/1dd6e/Native-plant.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/67b76/Native-plant.webp 320w,\n/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/8df11/Native-plant.webp 500w,\n/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/98a65/Native-plant.webp 800w,\n/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/1dd6e/Native-plant.webp 960w,\n/static/d54c0b2e81b504d6f838d4794af39dd8/3cc96/Native-plant.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"14 Best Native Plants for Jacksonville, FL | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Want easy-to-care-for plants that are good for the local ecosystem? These native plants will thrive in your Jacksonville yard."}}},{"node":{"id":"6ee7be36-9433-558c-bcf3-e6dfa3da2dfd","slug":"best-grass-types-las-vegas","path":"/lawn-care/nv/las-vegas/best-grass-types-las-vegas/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"After discovering her passion for writing through her beauty blog, Melanie left her engineering job in California, became a freelance writer, and never once looked back. She loves nature and enjoys going on road trips with her husband and their two sons.","name":"Melanie Joseph","id":"f86bf815-f27c-5928-b67e-d3481c2d1e0a","path":"/author/melanie-joseph/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/da91467d5e58d9fc8f1f730b09830569?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"e27810b8-f282-526d-9421-b74733ea3ddb","name":"Las Vegas","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/nv/las-vegas/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"013fbac6-10a0-54dd-8196-03ea2813f6d0","name":"Nevada","count":4,"path":"/category/lawn-care/nv/"}],"date":"May 25th, 2023","excerpt":"Las Vegas, the shimmering jewel of the Nevada desert, is famous for its bright lights, world-renowned casinos, and luxurious hotels. But beyond the glitz and glamour lies a challenging environment for growing a lush, green lawn. With temperatures soaring to triple digits during the scorching summer months and water in short supply, choosing the right […]
\n","content":"\nLas Vegas, the shimmering jewel of the Nevada desert, is famous for its bright lights, world-renowned casinos, and luxurious hotels. But beyond the glitz and glamour lies a challenging environment for growing a lush, green lawn. With temperatures soaring to triple digits during the scorching summer months and water in short supply, choosing the right grass type is crucial for any homeowner in Sin City.
\n\n\n\nThankfully, these 6 best grass types for Las Vegas are well-suited to the area’s hot and arid climate. From the drought-resistant buffalograss to the heat-tolerant Zoysiagrass, each variety has unique characteristics that can withstand the harsh desert sun.
\n\n\n\nLas Vegas has a unique climate that can be challenging for plants, especially grasses. When selecting the best grass type for your lawn in the Mojave Desert region, it’s essential to understand their growth patterns and requirements. Categorizing grasses into two general groups based on their temperature preferences simplifies the selection process and helps you make an informed decision.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses: Grass types like bermudagrass, buffalograss, and Zoysiagrass are the best fit for Las Vegas lawns. These warm-season grasses grow actively during the hot summer months when temperatures range between 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate drought and high temperatures, making them perfect for the Las Vegas environment. Late spring or early summer is the perfect time to plant these grasses.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses: These grasses, which include fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and tall fescue, prefer colder temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. These grass types are best suited for spring and fall when the temperatures are milder. However, they may struggle during the hot summer months, which are prevalent in Las Vegas.
\n\n\n\nPicking the perfect grass variety that suits your lawn’s specific characteristics and the prevailing climatic conditions is essential in maintaining a flourishing and visually appealing lawn all year long.
\n\n\n\nWith a hot and dry climate, Vegas offers a unique challenge for homeowners who want a lush and beautiful lawn. Fortunately, the city is in a transition zone, allowing both warm-season and cool-season grasses to be planted.
\n\n\n\nBut due to the scarcity of water coming from the Colorado River, you need the best grass type that can withstand the hot summers of Southern Nevada while also being water-efficient.
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Bidgee / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThis versatile grass species is incredibly hardy and can easily withstand the harsh, arid climate of Las Vegas. With its stunning appearance and resistance to high foot traffic, bermudagrass can be used in a variety of settings, from residential lawns to athletic fields and golf courses.
\n\n\n\nIn terms of appearance, bermudagrass boasts a rich green color and a fine texture that is pleasant to the touch. Its density and ability to spread quickly make it ideal for those who want a lush, full lawn without having to wait years for it to fill in. With proper care, this drought-tolerant grass can thrive and enhance your Vegas lawn for many years.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low – but some bermudagrass cultivars require more direct sun exposure than others
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High – extended periods of drought may cause it to turn brown and become dormant
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high – you’ll have to mow and fertilize more often
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1-2 inches – during periods of extreme drought or heat, you may have to increase the mowing height to retain moisture
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate resistance – may be susceptible to leaf spot, spring dead spot, brown patch, and dollar spot
\n\n\n\nPotential for pests: Low resistance – can be prone to hunting billbugs, mole crickets, white grubs, and armyworms
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Prefers loam soil but can grow in most types of soil
\n\n\n\nOther notes: To achieve the best results when reseeding this grass type, it’s essential to sow during the optimal temperature range of 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, typically occurring in late spring or early summer.
\n\n\n\n![\"close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/buffalograss.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixnio
\n\n\n\nKnown for its hardiness and low-maintenance requirements, buffalograss has a high drought tolerance and an ability to withstand the harsh desert climate. In fact, it can tolerate temperatures up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, making it perfect for the scorching Las Vegas summers.
\n\n\n\nThis warm-season grass has a fine texture and a greenish-blue color that adds a natural look to any landscape. Its low growth pattern makes it perfect for high-traffic areas such as playgrounds, golf courses, and sports fields. Since it requires little water once established, buffalograss is perfect for Southern Nevada, where water conservation is paramount.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Very low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High – it doesn’t need more than 25 inches of water a year
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Very low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2-4 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate resistance – may be prone to dollar spot, brown patch, spring dead spot, and leaf spot
\n\n\n\nPotential for pests: Low resistance – can be susceptible to mole crickets, armyworms, hunting billbugs, and white grubs
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6.5-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Prefers well-drained, fertile, loamy, and clay soil
\n\n\n\nOther notes: This grass variety is not suitable for sandy and saline soils. While it’s relatively low-maintenance, it can be hard to cultivate buffalograss from seed. But it can survive with little to no fertilizer, herbicides, or pesticides.
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Fine-Fescue.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nWith its fine texture, soft feel, and green color, fine fescue is often used in residential lawns, golf courses, and parks. This grass type is highly tolerant of drought and cold temperatures, which makes it a perfect choice for the unpredictable climate of Las Vegas.
\n\n\n\nWhile it’s commonly used in shaded areas, fine fescue also can thrive in sunny spots with proper care. Since it requires minimal maintenance, it’s perfect for homeowners who don’t have the time or resources to dedicate to a high-maintenance lawn. Plus, its deep root system allows it to absorb nutrients and water more efficiently.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Creeping red fescues spread through short rhizomes, while other fescues have bunch-type growth
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1.5-3 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate resistance – can be prone to dollar spot, red thread, summer patch, leaf spot, and downy mildew
\n\n\n\nPotential for pests: Moderate resistance – mostly susceptible to billbugs, chinch bugs, grubs, and sod webworms
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.5-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Prefers well-drained, sandy soil but can tolerate infertile soils
\n\n\n\nOther notes: While it has relatively good disease resistance, note that over-fertilization can lead to thatch buildup and increase the risk of disease.
\n\n\n\n![\"Backyard](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kentucky-bluegrass-yard.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Brenda Ryan / Wikilawn
\n\n\n\nWhile it may not be the first type of grass that comes to your mind when thinking of your Vegas lawn, this cool-season grass is actually a great option as it can thrive in the desert climate. Known for its rich, deep green color and fine texture, Kentucky bluegrass is perfect for outdoor entertaining and relaxation.
\n\n\n\nNote, though, that this grass variety may need more water and maintenance than the other grass types suitable for Nevada. But under ideal conditions, it can give you a dense and beautiful lawn that will not die during droughts and extreme dry spells.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low to moderate – prefers full sun
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low to moderate, but recuperates well
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2-3 inches – mow taller during summer
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high – mostly prone to fairy rings, snow molds, dollar spot, summer patch, leaf spot, and necrotic ring spot
\n\n\n\nPotential for pests: Moderate to high – can be susceptible to grubs, greenbugs, bluegrass billbugs, sod webworms, armyworms, and chinch bugs
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-7
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Well-drained, fertile soils
\n\n\n\nOther notes: You can mix it with other grass types, like tall fescue, to create a lush lawn. However, you’ll need to water it regularly due to its relatively shallow root system. But newer cultivars are generally hardier and more disease-resistant.
\n\n\n\n![\"Tall](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/3863142192_bea9f90f09_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nAnother popular cool-season grass known for its adaptability and resilience, tall fescue can thrive in Southern Nevada’s climate. But while this grass type can withstand foot traffic, it can’t easily recover from wear. So, if you have children and pets who love running around the yard, this is not the grass type for you.
\n\n\n\nWith its deep green color and fine texture, tall fescue can add a touch of elegance to any lawn. It’s tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions, including drought, heat, and cold. It thrives in moderate temperatures and can tolerate shade. Plus, it can access nutrients and water deep in the soil with its deep root system, allowing it to survive periods of low rainfall.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Tillers (Bunch forming)
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate – doesn’t recover easily from wear
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2-4 inches (Refer to the local state guidelines for your particular cultivar, as several types of tall fescue grass tend to flourish when mowed at a taller height.)
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low to moderate – can be prone to leaf spot, brown patch, and seedling disease
\n\n\n\nPotential for pests: Low to moderate – mostly susceptible to armyworms, cutworms, grubs, and sod webworms
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.5-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Prefers clay soil but grows in most soil types
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Consider sowing new grass seeds every few years to address patchy and thinning areas. Applying fertilizer just once during the fall months, preferably in September or November, can help ensure optimal growth and vibrancy of your lawn.
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Zoysiagrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 US
\n\n\n\nKnown for its fine texture, tight growth pattern, and beautiful emerald-green color, Zoysiagrass can increase the curb appeal of any property. It’s well-suited to the arid and hot climate of Las Vegas due to its heat and drought tolerance, as well as its ability to thrive in both sun and partial shade.
\n\n\n\nCommonly used in residential lawns, parks, and golf courses, this slow-growing grass can tolerate heavy foot traffic and recover quickly from damage. It requires less water than other grass types, making it one of the best options for conserving water.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes and stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low to moderate – it requires more direct sun exposure
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High – but you’ll have to give it supplemental watering during extended periods of drought
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1-2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate resistance – can be susceptible to spring dead spot, fairy wings, rust, curvularia, dollar spot, root decline, brown patch, leaf spot, and powdery mildew
\n\n\n\nPotential for pests: Moderate resistance – common pests include chinch bugs, sod webworms, hunting billbugs, armyworms, mole crickets, grubs, and nematodes
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Prefers well-drained, loamy soil but can still grow in most soil types
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Despite its deep root system and ability to tolerate compacted soil, Zoysiagrass may not thrive as much in these conditions as it would in well-aerated soil.
\n\n\n\nNevada passed a law (Assembly Bill 356) restricting the use of non-functional turfgrass in certain areas of the state. The law aims to conserve water, promote sustainability, and reduce water waste in urban areas.
\n\n\n\nUnder the law, non-functional turf is defined as any turf used for aesthetic or ornamental purposes rather than functional ones, such as sports fields or parks. The law prohibits the installation of non-functional turf in new developments or re-landscaping projects in certain areas of Nevada. It also requires existing non-functional turf to be removed and replaced with water-efficient landscaping by Jan. 1, 2027.
\n\n\n\nThe areas where the law is in effect are:
\n\n\n\nThe law exempts certain types of properties from the restriction, including single-family homes, golf courses, and cemeteries.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking to have a lush and healthy yard, a soil test is highly recommended. Since Nevada’s climate and soil conditions can make it challenging to grow certain plants and grasses, knowing what nutrients your soil lacks can help you decide which plants to grow and how to care for them.
Soil tests can determine your soil’s pH level, which is important because it affects the availability of nutrients to your plants. They also can tell you if your soil lacks essential nutrients, such as potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Fortunately, soil testing is a straightforward and inexpensive process. You can purchase a home testing kit or send your soil sample to a testing laboratory for analysis. The report will contain specific recommendations on how to amend your soil to optimize plant growth.
Among the top choices for a low-maintenance yard in Las Vegas are buffalograss, fine fescue, and Zoysiagrass. These grass types are drought-tolerant and require less watering compared to other grasses. They also have the added benefit of being more heat-resistant, making them ideal for Southern Nevada summers.
Since Las Vegas has a harsh desert climate, watering your lawn properly is crucial for keeping it healthy and lush. You also should remember to use water efficiently to help conserve it. Here are some tips to ensure efficient watering of your lawn:
Having the right grass type for your Sin City lawn is crucial in ensuring its long-term health and beauty. With the increasing water scarcity concerns, you must select a drought-resistant variety that can survive on restricted watering schedules.
\n\n\n\nFortunately, these warm-season and cool-season grasses can thrive in the hot and arid climate of Southern Nevada. By considering factors such as water and maintenance requirements, you can have the best grass type ideal for your lawn’s unique qualities. For a low-maintenance yard, pair your turfgrass with the best desert landscaping plants and trees suitable for Las Vegas.
Reach out to a local lawn care pro today for help in selecting the right grass that can add value and curb appeal to your property.
Main Image Credit: Lawn, Las Vegas / Dan Perry / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"6 Best Grass Types for Las Vegas","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/1789c/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/107df/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/293e9/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/f2cbb/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/1789c/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/c26c2/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/1dd6e/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/67b76/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.webp 320w,\n/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/8df11/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.webp 500w,\n/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/98a65/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.webp 800w,\n/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/1dd6e/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.webp 960w,\n/static/81a7e77e1cda5ab29642964e3e6124e0/3cc96/264003428_9fc095ac50_o-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"6 Best Grass Types for Las Vegas | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Looking for the perfect grass for your yard? Discover the 6 best grass types for the subtropical hot desert climate of Las Vegas."}}},{"node":{"id":"d38b28fb-a599-5776-8444-00ea08b3ebdd","slug":"best-grass-types-phoenix","path":"/lawn-care/az/phoenix/best-grass-types-phoenix/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Most comfortable with soil under her fingernails, Amanda has an enthusiasm for gardening, agriculture, and all things plant-related. With a master's degree in agriculture and more than a decade of experience gardening and tending to her lawn, she combines her plant knowledge and knack for writing to share what she knows and loves.","name":"Amanda Shiffler","id":"458fa7a4-b709-56ae-8d79-9dc400e34ff1","path":"/author/amanda-shiffler/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0048ef20c97263b5f26951aa210d62c8?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"7fc32475-4c73-58a8-996f-8b8d79ba2450","name":"Arizona","count":12,"path":"/category/lawn-care/az/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"90f74182-5f0d-5dd3-8d32-576a5a21d01d","name":"Phoenix","count":12,"path":"/category/lawn-care/az/phoenix/"}],"date":"March 21st, 2023","excerpt":"Contrary to popular belief, you can grow actual grass in Phoenix, even with its inferno-like temperatures and dry-as-a-bone climate. Many homeowners opt to xeriscape their yards, choosing to landscape with rocks and highly drought-tolerant plants instead of traditional grass. But if you want to plant traditional turf, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got […]
\n","content":"\nContrary to popular belief, you can grow actual grass in Phoenix, even with its inferno-like temperatures and dry-as-a-bone climate. Many homeowners opt to xeriscape their yards, choosing to landscape with rocks and highly drought-tolerant plants instead of traditional grass. But if you want to plant traditional turf, you’ve come to the right place!
\n\n\n\nWe’ve got the five best kinds of grass to grow in Phoenix and will walk you through the pros and cons of each one.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nAll five types of the following types of grass are heat and drought-tolerant, so they’re ideal for the Phoenix climate. Let’s take a closer look at each.
\n\n\n\n![\"lush](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bermudagrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is an important turf grass grown throughout the Southern United States. It flourishes in full sun and tolerates heat, drought, and foot traffic but does prefer soil with good drainage. Most of the root system is within the top 6 inches of soil, but roots can grow down to 6 feet, increasing its drought tolerance.
\n\n\n\nIt is the fastest-growing warm-season grass, which is excellent for establishing a new lawn or overseeding bare spots but also poses a concern. This quick-spreading habit makes Bermudagrass challenging to control and contain, so you’ll need to work to keep it out of flowerbeds. Thick layers of thatch can also accumulate, requiring dethatching or power raking regularly.
\n\n\n\nMidiron is a hybrid Bermuda grass and a popular turfgrass choice for Phoenix homeowners because of its toughness and adaptability. It is low-maintenance and has excellent drought tolerance, so it stands up to high summer temps. This hybrid grass can also withstand high levels of foot traffic and transitions well between seasons.
\n\n\n\nIt goes dormant through the winter, but you can keep a continuous green lawn by overseeding it with cool-season grass. Once the weather starts to warm, it quickly greens back up, so there is no lull in your beautiful turf. Midiron also tolerates the hard clay soils common in Phoenix.
\n\n\n\nPalmetto St. Augustine grass is a patented variation of St. Augustinegrass that has been bred to display a darker color and finer texture while keeping the shade, cold, heat, and drought tolerance of St. Augustine. These characteristics make it an excellent choice for the Phoenix climate, and it works well as filler grass in shade spots under shrubs or trees, hiding brown, bare patches. It can survive on as little as 4 to 5 hours of sun.
\n\n\n\nWith its drought tolerance, Palmetto St. Augustine is low maintenance, but you must be cautious not to overwater it. Too much water makes the grass prone to insect and disease problems.
\n\n\n\nOne of the most significant drawbacks to Palmetto St. Augustine is a lack of seed available for purchase. Little viable seed is produced for commercialization, so you must establish a lawn using sod or plugs.
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Pixnio
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNative to the Great Plains spanning from New Mexico to Montana, buffalograss does well in Phoenix because of its ability to handle extreme temperatures. Buffalograss has the best cold tolerance of the warm-season grasses, yet it also does well in the hot, dry Arizona climate.
\n\n\n\nIt spreads by stolons, so it covers the ground quickly to fill in bare spots. Buffalograss is incredibly drought-tolerant and has low maintenance needs. When left uncut, it creates an airy, wispy meadow look.
\n\n\n\nHowever, Buffalograss is slow to establish from seed and is dormant longer than other warm-season types. It goes dormant earlier in the winter than Bermudagrass and recovers slowly after overseeding. A pre-emergent applied well before seeding helps knock down weed populations, increasing overseeding success, but the process is still laborious and frustrating. Laying sod results in a quicker lawn establishment but costs more.
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1024px-Blue_grama_Bouteloua_gracilis_MN_2007.jpg\")
Photo Credit: SEWilco / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRounding out our list of best grasses for Phoenix is blue grama, an important native grass found across the mixed prairies of the U.S. and the Great Plains. When seeded at the proper density, it makes a fantastic native turfgrass.
\n\n\n\nThis warm-season grass is tough as nails, with high drought and cold tolerance. It thrives in sandy, dry Arizona soils and works incredibly well as erosion control in arid regions. Plus, it’s a fantastic source of food for wildlife.
\n\n\n\nAs a native species, it requires minimal care – minimal watering and fertilizing and minimal, if any, mowing. Blue grama is a bunch-forming grass that will grow 12 to 18 inches tall when left unmowed, making it one of the shortest ornamental native grasses.
\n\n\n\nAll five grass types are fantastic for Phoenix lawns, but you must consider a few other aspects before deciding.
\n\n\n\nIs your yard mostly or partially shaded or in full sun?
\n\n\n\nIf you have any noticeable shade in your yard, your best option is Palmetto St. Augustine grass. All of the other types do not do well in the shade.
\n\n\n\nDo you have kids and pets tromping around?
\n\n\n\nIf you need a lawn that stands up to regular, heavy foot traffic.
\n\n\n\nHow much maintenance do you want?
\n\n\n\nIf you are looking for a lawn that frees up your time to enjoy life instead of working outside, choose buffalograss, midiron, or blue grama.
\n\n\n\nThe hot, dry desert climate of Phoenix isn’t easy to grow grass in, but it is possible to keep your lawn lush and green all year long. If you’d rather not try to keep your warm-season grass beautiful in winter, you can overseed your lawn with cool-season grass.
\n\n\n\nOverseeding with cool-season grass like perennial ryegrass or creeping bentgrass is a great way to maintain color.
\n\n\n\nAccording to the University of Arizona, you should overseed in October when daytime temperatures are 80-85°F, and nighttime temperatures are above 55°F.
\n\n\n\nYes, you can have green grass all year long in Phoenix if you choose the correct type and take care of it properly. One of the best grasses to grow is Bermudagrass, which stays green in frost-free climates, but you need to give it plenty of water through the winter months. Another surefire way to have green grass is to overseed your warm-season lawn with cool-season grass for winter color.
Zoysiagrass is incredibly heat and drought-tolerant, but unfortunately, it doesn’t grow well in the alkaline soils of Arizona. To grow it, you must amend your high-pH soils, adding acidifying products to lower the pH to neutral or slightly acidic.
Even in the arid Arizona climate, you can have a beautiful landscape without using much water. You just need to choose the best turf for your space and the maintenance level to which you’re willing to commit.
\n\n\n\nBeyond choosing the best grass, you can create a dream landscape using the best native plants for Phoenix. These plants thrive in high-heat, low-moisture climates and are ideal for arid conditions.
Selecting the perfect grass type is the first step in having a beautiful yard. Keep your new lawn healthy and green with services from our lawn care pros.
Main Photo Credit: Tomwsulcer / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n","title":"5 Best Grass Types for Phoenix","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/1789c/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/107df/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.jpg 320w,\n/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/293e9/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.jpg 500w,\n/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/f2cbb/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.jpg 800w,\n/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/1789c/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.jpg 960w,\n/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/c26c2/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/1dd6e/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/67b76/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.webp 320w,\n/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/8df11/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.webp 500w,\n/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/98a65/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.webp 800w,\n/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/1dd6e/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.webp 960w,\n/static/ce5b2d39a785def93d6f64fda1258ef4/3cc96/View_of_Phoenix_Art_museum_outdoor_garden_area.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The Best Grasses for Phoenix","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Reseeding some bare patches in your grass or putting in a new lawn? Here are the best grass types for Phoenix, Arizona."}}},{"node":{"id":"b27cda1d-9e47-5825-b5ad-d7efdd9dc615","slug":"the-worst-pests-in-san-antonio-and-how-to-get-rid-of-them","path":"/lawn-care/tx/san-antonio/the-worst-pests-in-san-antonio-and-how-to-get-rid-of-them/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Bob Greenly has been mowing and caring for lawns since he was 12 years old. His summer job turned into a permanent career after college when he opened his own landscaping company.","name":"Bob Greenly","id":"86622de6-1450-5165-836f-e7397d91491b","path":"/author/bob-greenly/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/38ceb71a8b949ee91fe8f7d81c04ccde?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"be366c94-0b46-5716-9ac2-ed152902f864","name":"San Antonio","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/san-antonio/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"June 27th, 2019","excerpt":"Photo credit: Thompson Rivers on Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA Those summertime pests are back. Is there anything that bugs you more? They get under our skin, our clothing and gardens. Here’s a list of the pests that bug us in San Antonio and some tips on getting rid of them before they make your […]
\n","content":"\nPhoto credit: Thompson Rivers on Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA
\n\n\n\nThose summertime pests are back. Is there anything that bugs you more? They get under our skin, our clothing and gardens. Here’s a list of the pests that bug us in San Antonio and some tips on getting rid of them before they make your home their permanent home.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/fire-ant-usda-free.jpg\")
These tiny creatures are easy to miss, especially if you’re not watching where you’re walking. Take a step in one of their piles, and you’ll be wishing you paid more attention. They bite and follow up with a sting. They feed on plants and seeds but sometimes attack small animals. They can also climb inside machinery, costing you thousands of dollars in repairs. Making matters worse, they’re extremely resilient and can survive cold weather and even floods. (Millions survive hurricane Harvey by clumping together!) Leave enough food lying around, and they’ll make their way inside your home.
\n\n\n\nIt’s easier to prevent a fire ant infestation that to kill them once they’ve made themselves at home. Spread fire ant bait in your backyard in the spring, before the ants form new colonies. You’ll need to do it again in the fall. During the summer, sprinkle the bait three to four feet around each ant mound.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/A9EIztBiu9CDdXAYjzqwm_R3bwQpukvB_BUariKqtFv8lDbt3rC1qVL3fXdnJ-XKsNI-5efuUTDsSeokHQ3sRyJoR43xi4muM8VtCg5ywnqwBEbpY5tIxCYeXswH04BGKbr7H1lV\")
There are plenty of spiders in Texas, but few are as scary as the Black Widow. The females are the most dangerous and easy to spot. They’re black, about an inch and a half long and have a distinctive hourglass, red mark on their backs. Their venom is 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s, according to National Geographic. Fatal bites are rare, but you’ll need to get medical help immediately to avoid extreme discomfort if you’re bitten.
\n\n\n\nSince black widows are nocturnal, it’s best to hunt for their webs during the day. They usually build their webs in dark corners or wood piles where they’re hard to spot. Spray the webs with a liquid insecticide, and it will kill the spiders on contact and prevent new spiders . from moving in. If you have a wood pile, the best thing you can do is constantly rotate the logs. Black widows search for undisturbed places to nest.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/j-XNVCL0zt-BDj8CzJzdbkmUtfe2ygdnFL8HM8kVDNwpIjfWN83Wxda1PYe06UpeI0zIR0BzF3IQCr_y9JR-LUs3beyIJSAGVzyga9WqvCHDo8S6dw4bLtzzQzUWTPJRDkks7PB8\")
Texas is home to 18 species of scorpions. The most common in San Antonio and New Braunfels is the striped bark scorpion. These yellowish-tan creatures with two dark stripes down their back are easy to spot. Like us, scorpions are looking for a cool place to spend the summer. You’ll find them hiding under rocks, logs, landscaping materials, and in dark corners of your home during the day. Like the black widow, they come out at night searching for food. Their stings are rarely deadly, but they are painful and can cause muscle spasms and burning sensations.
\n\n\n\nThe best ways to control them is to keep firewood away from your house and prune trees or shrubs that hang over your house. Keep your grass closely mowed, so they have no place to hide. Spray an insecticide containing permethrin around the perimeter and foundation of your home. Make sure you hit the gutters and any cracks where the critters can hide. And finally, fill all weep holes with steel wool.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/aWiS2v5mD3la9YhLoy6kou_HsLoM0_8llL75EWgQplGWluZXM0D_uJ7cmXeD1Q7697UHdRMMyyckKgtEZG8XP9gMIaIsxCrUj5r4hDCd_NnDU9oKBRAdmQwiXZyDELX2PSbR-rXr\")
The name speaks for itself. Get bitten by one of these critters, and you’ll be dealing with a blister or several. Not only can they be harmful to your skin, but their toxin can be fatal to animals and small children when swallowed. More than 100 species exist in Texas, chewing their way through our vegetable and flower gardens. Though their color varies, the most-common ones found in Texas are black and orangish-yellow with three black stripes.
\n\n\n\nWhile it’s tough to completely rid your garden of blister beetles, it’s possible to limit the damage to your plants. Wearing gloves (always!) brush the beetles off your plants into a bucket of soapy water. Shake the plant and watch the beetles fall in the dirt and play dead. Then pick them up and drop them in the bucket. You can spread oyster shell lime around the edge of your garden. It will repel them, but it won’t kill them.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1858/42427615240_2b10b8b18d_b.jpg\")
Like the black widow, a brown recluse’s venomous bite can be harmful. And it could take several hours to notice the symptoms. Good news: you’re unlikely to run into them because, like their name, they are shy and try to avoid humans at all costs.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wa9BQNNN97lupuxdZMENNRHJsQTIGqmk2yacbOY7p7RhuAIVzAlP7zLEIo83ucVG-OAkUfoE2RilkJoK9mN9dR_yrwMGW45InfMC8OD1LmtbslLnaZV2xZo7XOU2sY8jA7t2nhwb\")
Photo credit: Dis da fi we
\n\n\n\nA bite from one of these tiny insects can make you extremely ill. The average size of an adult is slightly larger than a penny but beware of its bite. Some may be infected with a parasite that carries Chagas disease and can leave you with fever-like symptoms, rashes, and a loss of appetite.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZCq76MM2IYpXamdSEAkQtuY0wkC9U5BjWnPV8txzuwetlGtsVCpu5640XNgLUKL7dZo9pdJFigQne5v6dwyLqRxfSbLwyRN49uaaciuAZkZxzgSeaOmruEeiSuqUuOngQAcjRpsa\")
Aedes aegypti mosquito
\n\n\n\nThese bloodsuckers are more than just a nuisance. They’re actually the deadliest creature on the planet, blamed for malaria, zika, dengue fever, encephalitis, and other fatal illnesses. Whether it’s the high-pitched buzz or their sneaky bites, these bugs really bug us and can have you itching for days and sometimes even weeks. There’s plenty to love about Texas, but this just isn’t one of them.
\n\n\n\nOne study published in 2017 named one mosquito species, the Aedes aegypti, as the most common in San Antonio and Bexar County, found in 35% of the traps the scientists laid. But there were a total of 35 different varieties.
\n\n\n\nConsider spraying your home and yard for bugs every three months. You want to kill the bugs and the eggs they leave behind. If you prefer to go organic, you can make your own insecticide with soap, neem oil or vinegar. These potions will kill the bugs without killing the earth.
\n\n\n\nIf you decide to go with a professional, most exterminators will offer organic options. Keep in mind an exterminator isn’t a one-time option. You should have a treatment every three months.
\n\n\n\nYou can also plant pest repelling flowers such as lavender, marigolds, petunias, and citronella. Their scent really bugs the bugs.
\n\n\n\nWe may not be able to get rid of all the bugs. Let’s face it, most of them would probably survive a nuclear war! But you can make it tough on them to make themselves at home at your home. Remember puddles and standing water are an open invitation to mosquitoes and many other critters looking to breed. We want our yards to be bird and bee friendly … but we want to get rid of the pests that are out for blood.
\n","title":"The Worst Pests in San Antonio and How to Get Rid of Them","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":2.4752475247524752,"src":"/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/1789c/fire-ant-creative-commons.jpg","srcSet":"/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/107df/fire-ant-creative-commons.jpg 320w,\n/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/293e9/fire-ant-creative-commons.jpg 500w,\n/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/f2cbb/fire-ant-creative-commons.jpg 800w,\n/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/1789c/fire-ant-creative-commons.jpg 960w,\n/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/f605f/fire-ant-creative-commons.jpg 1000w","srcWebp":"/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/1dd6e/fire-ant-creative-commons.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/67b76/fire-ant-creative-commons.webp 320w,\n/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/8df11/fire-ant-creative-commons.webp 500w,\n/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/98a65/fire-ant-creative-commons.webp 800w,\n/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/1dd6e/fire-ant-creative-commons.webp 960w,\n/static/9b3e74c0baa39aaf1c02a6724dd9202a/23e94/fire-ant-creative-commons.webp 1000w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The Worst Pests in San Antonio and How to Get Rid of Them | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"f4d73e26-dfaf-5802-9f3e-eb0843e5d31d","slug":"best-grass-seeds-colorado","path":"/lawn-care/co/best-grass-seeds-colorado/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Cecilia Acevedo is a professional writer, translator, and mom who loves God, reading, and a good rainy nap. She combines her passion for writing with her love for the colorful world painted by her children.","name":"Cecilia Acevedo","id":"0fc0b86b-7672-540a-a0af-58a8d66c6781","path":"/author/cecilia-acevedo/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/75c4cb2a06e5f57c7018b7cb365dd82d?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"be8bb3a1-b40c-57ba-87f7-ff69490271a0","name":"Colorado","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/co/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"May 22nd, 2023","excerpt":"Colorado’s grass faces a tough challenge due to its climate. Between the cold winters and dry, hot summers, the extreme temperature shifts can cause your lawn to look withered and brown. Planting the right grass seeds is essential to ensure a resilient and lush-looking landscape. Here you will find the 5 best grass seeds for […]
\n","content":"\nColorado’s grass faces a tough challenge due to its climate. Between the cold winters and dry, hot summers, the extreme temperature shifts can cause your lawn to look withered and brown. Planting the right grass seeds is essential to ensure a resilient and lush-looking landscape. Here you will find the 5 best grass seeds for Colorado and helpful tips to maintain a great-looking lawn throughout the year.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses and warm-season grasses are two broad categories of grasses adapted to different climate conditions.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses grow best in regions with cooler temperatures and moderate rainfall. Typically, they are planted during autumn or the beginning of spring when the ground is moist and cold. These grasses stay green throughout the fall and spring but tend to go dormant and turn brown during hot and dry summer months and extreme winters.
\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, warm-seasons thrive in regions with hot summers and mild winters. They are planted in late spring or early summer when the soil is moist and warm and stay green throughout summer. These types of grasses go dormant and turn brown in the fall and winter when temperatures drop.
\n\n\n\nOverall, the main difference between cool-season and warm-season grasses lies in their adaptation to temperature and moisture conditions and their growth patterns throughout the year.
\n\n\n\nColorado’s common cool-season grasses include tall fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and fine fescue. Keep on reading to know more about them.
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Brenda Ryan / Wikilawn
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is a great grass option for a Colorado yard. It has a high-quality appearance that adds beauty and value to any property. However, it may require frequent irrigation to maintain its health and vibrancy. While it is prone to thatch formation and some diseases and insects, Kentucky bluegrass is incredibly cold tolerant, making it ideal for the harsh winters in Colorado.
\n\n\n\nIt spreads by rhizomes, which allows it to repair itself, making it a durable option for high-traffic areas. Although it can tolerate drought, it may turn brown during hot, dry summers, and it requires frequent mowing to keep it at a healthy height. Overall, Kentucky bluegrass is an excellent grass choice for a Colorado yard due to its appearance, cold tolerance, and self-repairing abilities.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate mowing frequency and high fertilization needs.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 3.5 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high; prone to several diseases, such as dollar spot, leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, summer patch, and stripe smut.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Performs best in well-drained, heavy soils with high fertility.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: It has a higher tolerance for close, frequent grazing than other grasses and forms a dense sod.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Perennial-Ryegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass is a fantastic option for homeowners looking to add a touch of beauty to their Colorado yards. This grass species boasts a gorgeous dark hue that enhances the beauty of any backyard. One of the best features of perennial ryegrass is its quick establishment, making it an ideal choice for homeowners looking for a fast and easy solution.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, it doesn’t thatch easily and is highly resistant to harsh soil conditions, making it an incredibly low-maintenance option. Perennial ryegrass has rapid growth and a high tolerance for foot traffic, which is perfect for families with active children or pets.
\n\n\n\nIt can even handle partial shade, making it a versatile option for different areas of your yard. However, it’s important to note that perennial ryegrass requires significant water usage and doesn’t tolerate drought well. But with the proper care and attention, this beautiful grass species will thrive in your Colorado yard and leave you with a stunning landscape to enjoy.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Has a bunch-type growth habit
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate mowing and fertilization requirements. Thatch is not significant.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height to 1.5 to 2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: High. Common diseases include gray leaf spots, red thread, and leaf spot/melting-out.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: Can grow in soils with a pH between 5 and 8 but prefers between 6 and 7.
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Prefers good drainage and fertility but can tolerate some poor drainage.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: For a more durable and disease-resistant turf, mixing it with Kentucky bluegrass is common.
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Fine-Fescue-Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Patton / Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFine fescue is an excellent choice for a Colorado yard for various reasons. Firstly, it is incredibly drought-resistant, a valuable trait in an arid climate like Colorado’s. Additionally, fine fescue is a low-maintenance grass species that requires less frequent mowing and fertilizing, making it an eco-friendly option that saves you time and money.
\n\n\n\nHowever, it’s worth noting that fine fescue isn’t very heat-tolerant. Additionally, it’s not ideal for high-traffic areas. But if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, shade-tolerant, and drought-resistant grass species that adds beauty to your yard, fine fescue is a fantastic option to consider.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Creeping red Fescue spreads by rhizomes, while other fine fescues are bunch-type grasses, such as chewing, hard, and sheep fescues.
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low to Moderate, depending on species
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low fertilizer and mowing needs.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 4.0 inches, depending on species.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate. Common diseases include red thread, leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch, and powdery mildew.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Will not perform well in wet soil conditions. It prefers drier soils and tolerates a wide range of soil types and fertility.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: To create a lush and visually appealing lawn that can tolerate both shade and drought, fine fescue grasses are commonly mixed with other cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass. This combination results in a dense, attractive lawn that is durable and resistant to challenging weather conditions.
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Tall-Fescue-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Patton / Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to finding the perfect grass for a Colorado yard, tall fescue is definitely worth considering. This hardy grass species has an impressive root system that can reach down two or three feet, making it incredibly heat- and drought-resistant. Tall fescue establishes and germinates quickly, so you won’t wait long to see your lawn come to life. Additionally, it doesn’t form much thatch.
\n\n\n\nHowever, it’s worth noting that tall fescue doesn’t self-repair easily from damage, so there may be better choices for high-traffic areas. Despite this, if you’re looking for a grass species that can handle the challenges of a Colorado climate and still look great, tall fescue is definitely one to consider.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Frequent mowing. Does not produce significant thatch.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height to 2 inches when grass reaches 3 inches tall.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Tolerant of most diseases when properly maintained.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.5-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions but prefers fertile clay soils with good drainage.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: After enduring hot and dry summer conditions, many tall fescue lawns tend to become thin, which can result in unsightly clumps. Overseeding tall fescue lawns in the fall is often necessary to avoid this issue. This simple practice can help maintain your lawn’s overall health and appearance.
\n\n\n\nColorado has limited options when it comes to warm-season grass types. Buffalograss is the only grass native to the area and exhibits remarkable natural adaptability to extreme heat, cold, and drought. Thanks to its hardy nature, buffalograss is a good choice for homeowners looking to maintain a beautiful lawn even in the face of challenging weather conditions.
\n\n\n\n![\"California](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/UC-Verde-Buffalograss-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Susan Harris / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBuffalograss is a fantastic choice for homeowners in Colorado who want a low-maintenance lawn that can withstand the state’s harsh climate. With infrequent mowing and fertilization requirements, it’s an excellent choice for those who wish to spend less time tending to their yard. Buffalograss has excellent drought tolerance, making it a great choice for those hot and dry summers.
\n\n\n\nHowever, its low density can result in weed problems, so staying on top of weed control is important. Additionally, there are better options for high-traffic areas. Overall, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant lawn, buffalograss could be an excellent choice.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low fertilizer and mowing needs. Requires weed control.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set the mowing height between 2 and 3 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Good tolerance against diseases and insects.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6.5-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Native clay soils, not sandy soils.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: While its tolerance for harsh conditions is impressive, buffalograss struggles with thatch buildup and has poor shade tolerance, so there may be better choices for areas with many trees or shaded spots.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is a versatile option suitable for various situations and applications. In Colorado, it is the most commonly used grass type for lawns, and local growers produce top-quality bluegrass sod.
Fine fescues are known for their excellent cold tolerance. Still, among the cool-season grasses commonly used in northern lawns, Kentucky bluegrass is the most cold-hardy and can withstand extreme winter temperatures.
With its fine texture, shade tolerance, and low upkeep needs, fine fescue is a desirable choice for homeowners and landscapers as it is considered one of the most effortless cool-season grasses to maintain.
While all of the grass varieties described in this article can endure Colorado’s hot summers and cold winters, each type possesses distinct characteristics and maintenance requirements. Consequently, choosing the appropriate grass for your lawn is crucial.
\n\n\n\nIt involves considering available space, intended use, and your willingness to perform upkeep to ensure a healthy lawn.
\n\n\n\nIt’s worth noting that grass is only one component of a stunning landscape. Colorado offers many options for low-maintenance landscaping and native plants.
\n\n\n\nNeed help maintaining your outdoor space? Hire a local lawn care expert near you. We have trusted pros in Aurora, Colorado Springs, and many other cities across the state.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: University of Colorado Boulder / sk / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
\n","title":"5 Best Grass Seeds for Colorado","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.509433962264151,"src":"/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/1789c/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.jpg","srcSet":"/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/107df/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.jpg 320w,\n/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/293e9/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.jpg 500w,\n/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/f2cbb/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.jpg 800w,\n/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/1789c/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.jpg 960w,\n/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/c26c2/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/1dd6e/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/67b76/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.webp 320w,\n/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/8df11/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.webp 500w,\n/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/98a65/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.webp 800w,\n/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/1dd6e/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.webp 960w,\n/static/92600e360e501f458a9af54527ab66c4/3cc96/University-of-Colorado-Boulder.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"5 Best Grass Seeds for Colorado","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Check out our top 5 picks that thrive in Colorado climate and soil conditions. Learn more about the 5 best grass seeds for your Colorado yard today."}}},{"node":{"id":"d51626b4-31cf-532e-a90e-587dd42960c6","slug":"benefits-xeriscaping-your-lawn","path":"/blog/landscaping/benefits-xeriscaping-your-lawn/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Kelly Holland","id":"87ed81cb-6dc6-5b6f-8673-e295fb5aa8f3","path":"/author/karen/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a7bdc84bcad759506a493dca25650999?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"d4fa4848-36b3-57c3-925d-ae36e49e878f","name":"Garden Landscape","count":8,"path":"/category/garden-landscape/"},{"id":"cfca3a30-772e-535e-90a9-3056dfc1de8c","name":"Home & Garden","count":15,"path":"/category/home-garden/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"October 14th, 2019","excerpt":"Keeping a lawn healthy and green through the height of a hot summer, is hard enough. It gets even harder if you live in a drought-prone area such as Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, or Texas. That’s why xeriscape landscaping is so popular in those areas. Xeriscaping doesn’t mean you have to fill your yard with cacti; […]
\n","content":"\nKeeping a lawn healthy and green through the height of a hot summer, is hard enough. It gets even harder if you live in a drought-prone area such as Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, or Texas. That’s why xeriscape landscaping is so popular in those areas. Xeriscaping doesn’t mean you have to fill your yard with cacti; it just means you use plants and landscaping that needs little water. So if you’re ready to give up those water-hungry plants and lower your monthly water bill, join the crowd.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1a-vG2kR6WgTmvVLrtHGejLDqaXJP7j2caONyxpIKfaY03T4HnZ3oBoykjLVJghuVhJDwX-4j3Q65fY9n-qnuvSwzp47hMKKBDboA6msh62_4igT70m74vd0WECRDRi5yHHlR39X\")
The term “xeriscape” comes from the Greek word “xeros,” meaning dry. Denver Water, the city’s utility service, coined and copyrighted the word in the 1980s when Colorado was experiencing a worse-than-usual drought. The water department looked at the soil in most yards, (clay soil doesn’t absorb water quickly), and the types of sprinkler systems people were using. The city began by offering rebates to people who used drip irrigation and turfgrass that requires little water. You’ll notice by the front of the office, the utility practices what it preaches.
\n\n\n\n“Traditional Kentucky bluegrass is lush and hardy, but it requires a substantial amount of water in our semi-arid climate,” according to Denver Water. “One way to use less water is to reduce the amount of bluegrass turf in your landscape. Native or low-water-use plants, patios, decks, or mulches can beautify your landscape while saving water. Also, try planting turf such as buffalo grass, blue grama grass, turf-type tall fescue, and fine fescues to reduce water use in your landscape.”
\n\n\n\nThe North Marin Water District, which provides water to Novato and other communities just north of San Francisco, offers a “Cash for Grass” program that pays rebates to customers who remove lawns and plant approved low-water plants instead. In 2019, almost 15,000 square feet of turfgrass were converted.
\n\n\n\nThe district also saw xeriscaping as a way to stop people from fertilizing their lawns and gardens. Native plants and grasses are adapted to the soil, so they need few amendments. What little they need can be provided by grass clippings and other organic matter … things that won’t harm the ocean or waterways.
\n\n\n\nAs long as you’re making your lawn water-wise, go a step further and make your garden more efficient. Plant drought-resistant plants such as agave, juniper, yarrow, and lavender. Many herbs and spices are also drought-tolerant, such as thyme, sage, and oregano. The native and drought-tolerant plants will also attract local wildlife and pollinators to your garden.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZEhlju3G6ZCAaw6jn0gF2iZIqU1ztxS2JYJ6ajV9qWS-KrBC-xAfbEPjHrfGxAVLpjz0WqDPWLQqTkfa_foDgJQcwANxKrtTtNGVAQxl5yDwbCgOuaV0Z-am26dM57JqO8OkkT2L\")
If you’re ready to take the plunge and xeriscape, don’t rush out and dig up all your flowers and turf. Start by mapping out your yard, noting where the shade trees are and which areas get the most sun. It’s also a good idea to see how much rainfall your yard gets in a typical year. You want plants that will thrive with the water nature provides.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re not crazy about drought-tolerant grasses, consider a rock garden or mulched border around your patio and yard. Mulching around trees and plants helps keep moisture from absorbing. Plant ground covers around sloped areas to prevent any water from running off. While a completely hardscaped backyard may sound appealing, check with your city or county. Some municipalities, including Austin, Texas, require a percentage of your land to be landscaped, to prevent rainwater from pouring into the street.
\n\n\n\nThe Environmental Protection Agency estimates that as much as 50% of irrigation water usage is wasted. By opting for a xeriscaped yard, you can save hundreds of gallons of water from being squandered over just one scorching summer. So go ahead and plant a cactus and other succulents. Your lawn will look sharp for years to come.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: Downtowngal, CC-by SA-3.0
\n","title":"Benefits of Xeriscaping Your Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.549636803874092,"src":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1789c/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/107df/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 320w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/293e9/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 500w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/f2cbb/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 800w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1789c/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 960w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/356ef/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1dd6e/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/67b76/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 320w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/8df11/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 500w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/98a65/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 800w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/1dd6e/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 960w,\n/static/1a560cb647dca998e80837d4991465b5/93f70/1280px-Xeriscape_2_Hidden_Meadows.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Benefits of Xeriscaping Your Lawn | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"5bfa6218-9b1f-5e1d-b7ed-f14cb685f0c7","slug":"drought-resistant-landscaping-ideas-for-california","path":"/lawn-care/ca/drought-resistant-landscaping-ideas-for-california/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Lauren Bryant is a freelance writer based out of Eugene, Oregon, with a B.A. in English and a minor in comics and cartoon studies. She is excitedly awaiting the day when she can grow her own edible garden.","name":"Lauren Bryant","id":"104563f0-6820-5e73-b732-a5aa9cd0fd4c","path":"/author/lauren-bryant/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/59c00f89f2a61befe0b5d36cc3b0cc62?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"d4a57f5d-7087-5464-8fbc-e03c067b9723","name":"California","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/ca/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"June 6th, 2023","excerpt":"Drought is inevitable in California. We don’t have to like it, but we do have to live with it. However, you don’t have to watch your yard die (or your water bill climb) every summer. Adapt your yard to better survive hot, dry conditions, and your water bills and yard maintenance will drop off significantly. […]
\n","content":"\nDrought is inevitable in California. We don’t have to like it, but we do have to live with it. However, you don’t have to watch your yard die (or your water bill climb) every summer. Adapt your yard to better survive hot, dry conditions, and your water bills and yard maintenance will drop off significantly. Consider the following drought-tolerant landscaping ideas for California.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhether you need a simple first step or want to take drastic measures, the following strategies will reduce water usage. You can apply each drought-resistant landscaping tip on its own or in combination with others.
\n\n\n\n![\"Bright](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/poppy-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: rhyman007 / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nWhile it’s tempting to choose plants solely based on appearance, some plants have higher water needs than others. Focus on garden plants that have low water needs, such as succulents. You can also choose from a variety of other plant types, from trees to ornamental grasses.
\n\n\n\nCalifornia native plants are more likely to be drought-resistant than non-native plants. They also tend to be:
\n\n\n\nIt’s best to narrow your search by region, county, or city. For example, a plant native to Southern California may not do well in Northern California. Here are some drought-resistant California native plants to get you started:
\n\n\n\nKeep in mind that newly planted specimens will need more water than established plants. These increased water needs are why perennials are typically better than annuals.
\n\n\n\n![\"Rock](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rocky-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: IKALSEMI / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nPlants are often the focal point of gardens, but rocks deserve more credit. If you’re not convinced, check out the California Rock Garden at UC Davis or Dave’s Rock Garden in Encinitas. These gardens showcase rocks of various shapes, sizes, and colors alongside native plants.
\n\n\n\nIf you feel inspired, make your own rock garden. Choose neutral-toned or colorful rocks to suit your tastes, and arrange them in whatever patterns your heart desires. Styles can range from desert landscapes to zen gardens. You also can integrate rocks into a small part of your yard rather than the whole thing. Here are some elements you could include:
\n\n\n\nNote: While many rock gardens include water features, it’s not a very drought-friendly option. Consider dry ponds or riverbeds instead. You also could use a bird bath to keep visiting wildlife happy and hydrated.
\n\n\n\nRock gardens aren’t just an aesthetic choice. The rocks require no water or maintenance. They also suppress weeds and prevent garden plants from growing where you don’t want them to. Of course, you don’t have to forgo vegetation altogether. Some plants, such as chalk dudleya, grow better in rocky environments and require little irrigation to survive.
\n\n\n\n![\"Gardener](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mulchy-copy-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: artursfoto / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nWhat is mulch? Mulch is organic or inorganic material spread over the ground, typically around plants. Examples include:
\n\n\n\nMulch plays many roles in landscaping, but how does it help with drought resistance? When applied over the soil, mulch can help retain moisture by preventing evaporation. You also can use it to cover large areas as an alternative to grass or groundcovers. When placed around plants, it will suppress weeds competing for water.
\n\n\n\n![\"Wireless](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rain-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Steven White’s Images / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nWhether or not your plants are drought-resistant, you may be overwatering. Many plants need less water than you expect to survive and can go dormant to survive dry conditions. The water also could be going to the wrong place entirely, where it is not accessible to the plants. Here are some steps to take to make sure your irrigation systems are water-wise:
\n\n\n\n![\"Artificial](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Artificial-turf-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Sarah Stierch / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to drought resistance, lawns have a bad reputation. 40% to 60% of landscape irrigation is used for turfgrass. You don’t necessarily have to give up your lawn entirely, but you should consider what you want out of your lawn and what alternatives could work just as well.
\n\n\n\nConsider how much lawn you need. Maybe your kids enjoy the backyard lawn, but the front yard lawn doesn’t get much use. You also may want to extend your patio a little further to better host guests. These are perfect opportunities to reduce your turf square footage and save water. Some counties, such as Los Angeles, offer rebates based on how much grass you remove.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re ready to replace your lawn completely, consider these drought-tolerant alternatives:
\n\n\n\n*Artificial turf is not eligible for lawn removal rebates.
\n\n\n\n![\"Installing](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hard-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: JPLDesigns / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nA hardscape is an artificial landscape design that doesn’t use plants. You can create patios, walkways, retaining walls, fire pits, or basketball courts. Here are some possible materials:
\n\n\n\nNo vegetation means no irrigation. However, permeable surfaces are the most drought-friendly way to go. They reduce runoff and allow water to seep into the soil to be used by nearby plants.
\n\n\n\n![\"xeriscape](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/xeri-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: remedypic / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nIf several of these ideas have piqued your interest, consider a more radical redesign. A xeriscape landscape design requires little to no water or maintenance. Here are the fundamental principles, many of which we’ve covered in this article:
\n\n\n\nWhile each part of xeriscaping saves water, combining all of them makes this strategy the most effective.
\n\n\n\nThis landscape design is best for homeowners who want to remodel their yards and don’t mind the extra time and cost. It’s also suitable for currently empty yards or newly built homes.
\n\n\n\nCalifornia cities and counties often offer rebates for drought-tolerant landscaping, but you need to meet certain conditions. Possible requirements include:
●Removal of turfgrass (typically around 200 to 500 square feet at minimum)
●Installation of native or drought-tolerant plants
●Use of mulch and rocks
●Permeable hardscaping
●Pool removal
●Irrigation upgrades
●Stormwater retention systems
Check your local county rules for specific requirements and rebate programs. You will likely need to apply for these rebates before you start your project, or you may not be eligible. Artificial turf does not count toward these rebates.
As of 2022, turf replacement rebates are exempt from state income tax.
Often, the answer is yes. Hardscaping, rock gardens, and inorganic mulch (excluding rubber and landscape fabric) close to your home can help reduce the spread of fire. You must still be mindful of flammable materials near your home, such as wooden patio furniture. Choose non-flammable materials whenever possible.
Drought-tolerant plants are also beneficial because they tend to be less dry and flammable. However, no plant is entirely fireproof, and they must be well-hydrated to have the best chance of survival. Keep plants spaced out and far away from your house’s walls so the fire doesn’t have a direct route to your home.
The most drought-friendly grass types in California are:
●Zoysiagrass
●Buffalograss
●Bermudagrass
●Bentgrass
Some drought-tolerant changes are easy to make. A trip to your local native plant nursery or a DIY drip irrigation kit are projects some homeowners are happy to tackle.
However, large projects can take time and effort. A landscaping professional can simplify drought-resistant landscaping for you. Wikilawn can connect you to local pros in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and many other California cities.
![\"Bluegrass](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Lw8jGF31lep3Mg79Nkkxx8TuLo1EllH8Jtqvf8mOp6wD9nWz4u0Kv6tZuxk452-S7kneo0IxNsRkDez_m7r8fHesIoUlguH63-KwcBgIBd5JH4kFUKJb3BalJOLzBBXrpOpLb_Rv\")
![Source](\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphenophorus_parvulus-Berger.jpg\"){kind=link}