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Monday - November 02, 2009
From: Orlando, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Native Grasses, Native Plants
Title: Native plants to replace St. Augustine over septic area
Author: Jackie OKeefe
QUESTION:
Hi. We're new to Orlando, FL and need some help with plants that would be suitable to grow over our septic field. It's on the west side of the house, full sun. We live in a subdivision that required that every disturbed area be planted over with St. Augustine grass, but I'm not a fan of massive lawns, and we have a one-acre lot. The law has since changed, so the sub/d will be forced to allow us to remove some of the resource-wasting St. Augustine. Can you suggest some lovely plants for us? TIA! Nancy PS - It think it's absolutely fabulous that Mrs. Johnson's legacy is continuing. This is a great website.ANSWER:
Thanks for asking! Mr. Smarty Plants is always happy to help natives re-take some ground. This answer to a previous question suggesting native Florida groundcovers may be helpful.
Do you have the leeway to plant a meadow? It would be rougher-looking than lawn – and taller, but would include meadow wildflowers. Listed below are some grass and wildflower species native to Florida. The Muhlenbergia capillaris (hairawn muhly) and Eragrostis spectabilis (purple lovegrass) are clumping and somewhat taller grasses, not suitable for mowing.
Muhlenbergia capillaris (hairawn muhly)
Eragrostis spectabilis (purple lovegrass)Rhexia alifanus (savannah meadowbeauty)
Phlox nivalis (trailing phlox)
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)
Rudbeckia triloba (browneyed Susan)
Anemone berlandieri (tenpetal thimbleweed)
Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)
Coreopsis gladiata (coastal plain tickseed)
Coreopsis grandiflora (largeflower tickseed)
More on Native Grasses from Mr. Smarty Plants
Question: November 12, 2009 - Dear Smarty Pants: Hi, did you ever get more clarity on the Carex senta issue (baltimore sedge)? Whether or not it was a wetland grass? I too am in Maryland and was thinking of planting it for a lawn, but not if it's only native way out west. If you have any other recommendation for a shade-loving native for a lawn, that would be wonderful. thanks in advance.
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Question: November 10, 2009 - I just read your answer to Barbara Medford's question about what multi-species native grasses would work to create a shady lawn. While you had some wonderful suggestions you mention a homeowner's associations might not take kindly to them. I would like to recommend to the both of you to try different species of native sedge. When I lived in Austin I used Carex retroflexa from a local nursery und...
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Question: November 09, 2009 - We have a very steep dirt dam in Winnsboro TX, full sun, and burmuda and rye grasses have not been enough to keep from having some mud sliding. We keep adding clay and reworking but want to preserve the dam and 3 acre pond. What plantings do you suggest for full sun that will help prevent erosion. There are deer in the area.
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