TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Expert Urges Locals To Plant Native Grass

ADVERTISEMENT

By YVETTE C. HAMMETT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

Updated: 10/22/2007 09:12 pm

SEFFNER - Although most homeowners associations tend to see turf grass as king of the home landscape, one native plant expert urges gardeners break from the crowd and plant native grasses.

'They help stabilize soil and provide food for wildlife,' said George Kish, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey who stumbled upon his love for Florida natives years ago, when he moved here from New Jersey.

Kish, a member of the Suncoast Native Plant Society, spoke Wednesday night at the Hillsborough County Extension Office in Seffner.

'Native grasses also provide a diverse landscape,' Kish said. And that, he said, provides a balanced ecosystem.

Marie and Todd Greer of Brandon attended the talk - their first Native Plant Society meeting - looking for information about how they can improve their garden.

'We're trying to eliminate the grass and the need for chemicals and a lot of water,' Todd Greer said. 'We don't want a lawn of chemicals.'

Mary Miller, the club's vice president, said she hasn't tried any native grasses in her own garden, but she has worked with garden clubs to get the grasses planted in public places.

Depending on where they are grown, Florida native grasses, many of which are cultivated to withstand drought and heavy rain conditions, can serve as hedges, borders and, in some cases, excellent container plants, Kish said.

His presentation included information about 17 of Florida's 264 native grass species.

Some of the most popular native grasses, called Fakahatchee and dwarf Fakahatchee, give gardeners the tall and short of it. These grasses share a common name but differ in the types of climates they like, Kish said.

Fakahatchee grass, which grows to 6 feet tall, prefers wet, moderate to poorly drained soils. The dwarf variety is better suited to pinelands with organic soil and only grows to about 3 feet tall.

'You have to think of the tolerance range of each grass,' Kish said. Although some grasses might be better suited to wet, shady areas, others will die in such conditions.

Those living in deed-restricted communities should plant grasses that look good all year and stay away from those that die back or fall over during certain seasons, Kish warned.

'I live in a deed-restricted community, and they don't like me very much,' he said, smiling.

SHOPPING FOR NATIVE GRASSES
Several plant nurseries in the Tampa Bay area offer homeowners native Florida grasses:

•Kerby's Nursery & Landscaping, 2311 S. Parsons Ave., Seffner

•Treemart, 12505 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa

•Wilcox Nursery, 12501 Indian Rocks Road, Largo

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 657-4532 or at yhammett@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT