Operation
NICE! plant of the season
Summer 2008
Perennial ground cover/shady lawn substitute: Horseherb
(Calyptocarpus vialis)
Description: Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis),
also called Straggler Daisy, is native to Texas and ranges south to
Central America. It grows up to 8-10 inches tall, with
opposite leaves that are usually less than 1 inch long. It
has a sprawling to prostrate habit. Horseherb is perennial
and although deciduous, it may remain green during a mild North Texas
winter.
Flowers:
Horseherb has very small yellow flowers that bloom from
mid-spring to late fall.
Planting sites: Horseherb should be planted in
dappled shade, part shade or full shade. It tolerates many
types of soils. Avoid planting horseherb in an area where it
may experience "wet feet" or it may rot.
Watering Instructions: Horseherb should be
watered after planting and again every other week during its first
growing season. After the first growing season, horseherb
will survive with existing rainfall because of its drought tolerance.
Comments: Horseherb is an outstanding substitute
for grass in those shady areas where grass is difficult to
grow. Horseherb grows well in the shade and it can be
mowed. Because horseherb may expand by stolons
(runners) and rooting from the stems, it can become invasive (weedy!)
in rich garden soil. However, it is an excellent groundcover
for dry shady areas and because it can be mowed, it is finding more and
more use as a shady lawn substitute.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Season signs and information sheets on
your next visit to a participating
North Texas nursery. Thank
you for using native plants in your landscapes.
Written by: Dr. Rebecca Dickstein, Professor of Biology, University of
North Texas.
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Last noted update by
Lon: March 19, 2009.