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Horseherb

Calyptocarpus vialis

Straggler Daisy, Rosemary Grass, Lawnflower, Hierba del caballo

About This Plant

Shade or sun. Deciduous, forming a soft mat-like groundcover that often outperforms turfgrass in shade, with the bonus of yellow blooms during the warm season. Many lawns on the north side are composed entirely of horseherb, the grass having faded long ago. A truly underutilized super-plant, horseherb grows low, tolerates foot traffic and mowing, and needs no sprinklers. Many of its admirers prefer it to any turf grass. If it suffers in full-scorch locations, pair it with woolly tubetongue. Both can be found at native plant nurseries around San Antonio and Austin.

Origins: Texas, Mexico, Central America

Maintenance

None required. Mow as needed; tolerates moderate foot traffic. Although it may fade a bit during summer scorch (July-Sept) it bursts back to life after the first significant rainfall.

A native, low-maintenance turfgrass substitute.

Min. Height: 6

Max Height: 10 inches

Min. Width: 1

Max Width: 2 feet

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