Incorporating Early Spring Bulbs into Dormant Warm-season Turfgrasses

Richardson, Michael D.; McCalla, John H.; Buxton, Tina; Lulli, Filippo

doi:10.21273/horttech.25.2.228

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Previous studies have shown that establishing early-spring flowering bulbs into areas of zoysiagrass and bermudagrass is an appropriate practice for those who desire color and biodiversity in a dormant lawn (Mirabile et al, 2016;Richardson et al, 2015). The daffodil 'Rip Van Winkle' was tested in both the present trial and the study by Mirabile et al (2016), and it showed persistence over time in transition zones of the United States and Italy.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…Crocus tommasinianus Herb. 'Ruby Giant' demonstrated persistence in zoysiagrass at this location in a previous trial and was included as a positive control (Richardson et al, 2015).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the transition zone, warm-season turfgrasses can experience low-temperature induced dormancy for up to 6 months of the year (Patton, 2012). Two previous studies (Mirabile et al, 2016;Richardson et al, 2015) demonstrated that some flowering bulbs can persist in zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) in transition zone environments, providing color and biodiversity to dormant turfgrass situations.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Flowering Persistence and Pollinator Attraction of Early-spring Bulbs in Warm-season Lawns

Wisdom¹,

Richardson²,

Karcher³

et al. 2019

horts

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Early-spring flowering bulbs can increase biodiversity while adding color to lawns and other grassy areas. However, few studies have investigated whether bulbs can flower and persist in warm-season lawns or provide feeding habitat for pollinating insects. Thirty early-spring flowering bulbs, including species of Anemone, Chionodoxa, Crocus, Eranthis, Hyacinthus, Ipheion, Iris, Leucojum, Muscari, and Narcissus, were established in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers) and buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) J.T. Columbus] lawns in late autumn 2015 in Fayetteville AR. Bulbs were assessed over three growing seasons for flowering characteristics, persistence, and their ability to attract pollinating insects. A growing degree day model was also developed to predict peak flowering times in our region. Numerous bulb entries produced abundant flowers in bermudagrass and buffalograss lawns in the first year after planting, but persistence and flower production were reduced in both the second and third years of the trial. Five bulbs persisted for multiple years in both turfgrass species and continued to produce flowers, including Crocus flavus Weston ‘Golden Yellow’ (crocus), Leucojum aestivum L. (spring snowflake), Narcissus (daffodil) ‘Baby Moon’, Narcissus ‘Rip Van Winkle’, and Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’. Several bulbs, primarily crocuses and Muscari spp. (grape hyacinth), were also observed to attract pollinating insects, principally honey bees (Apis mellifera). These results demonstrate that some early-spring bulbs can persist in competitive warm-season turfgrasses, while providing pollinator forage, but species and cultivar selection is critical for long-term success.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…Crocus tommasinianus Herb. 'Ruby Giant' demonstrated persistence in zoysiagrass at this location in a previous trial and was included as a positive control (Richardson et al, 2015).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Flowering Persistence and Pollinator Attraction of Early-spring Bulbs in Warm-season Lawns

Wisdom¹,

Richardson²,

Karcher³

et al. 2019

horts

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…and buffalograss [Bouteloua dactyloides (Nutt.) Columbus] have successfully demonstrated ability to support flowering bulbs (Richardson et al, 2015;Wisdom et al, 2019), but other warm-season turfgrass species such as Eremochloa Buese and Stenotaphrum Trin. species might also be evaluated for ability to host forbs for pollinator forage.…”

Section: Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing Flowering Perennial Plants in a Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) Lawn

Boyle¹,

Wisdom²,

Richardson³

2020

horts

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Most pollinating insects require a season-long succession of floral resources to fulfill life-cycle requirements. Incorporating forbs into turfgrass sites may create a season-long sequence of flowers to support foraging pollinators. However, persistence of forbs in warm-season turfgrasses such as bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) may be affected by the competitive nature of the turfgrass and routine management practices such as mowing. A 2-year study was conducted to evaluate seven forbs (Bellis perennis L., Lotus corniculatus L., Prunella vulgaris L., Trifolium fragiferum L. ‘Fresa’, Trifolium repens L. ‘Durana’ and ‘Resolute’, Trifolium subterraneum L.) for persistence and ability to produce floral resources for pollinating insects in a low maintenance bermudagrass lawn. Plugs of each species were incorporated into ‘Riviera’ bermudagrass in Apr. 2016. Vegetative cover, flower production, flowering period and pollinator foraging were assessed. Prunella vulgaris bloomed July through August and achieved 100% cover (0% bermudagrass) by 2017. Trifolium repens achieved a more balanced competitive density with the bermudagrass and produced flowers from June through August in both years. Trifolium fragiferum persisted over two growing seasons but only bloomed in 2017. Bellis perennis, Lotus corniculatus and Trifolium subterraneum did not persist. Pollinators were observed foraging on all persistent, flowering forbs, including Trifolium repens, Prunella vulgaris, and Trifolium fragiferum. Trifolium repens and Prunella vulgaris produced the most flowers and attracted the most pollinators.

show abstract

“…Some studies have explored the possibility of double-cropping forbs and bulbous species in warm-season lawns with the intent to maintain, rather than replace, the lawn [5][6][7][8]. These studies focused on flower production, the ability to withstand mowing, and the potential to provide an early season habitat and nectar source for beneficial insects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Urban Double-Crop: Can Fall Vegetables and a Warm-Season Lawn Co-Exist?

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A gardening methodology using double-cropped cool-season vegetables and warm-season turfgrass, thereby capitalizing on the ideal growing season for each, was developed in field trials and tested in volunteers’ landscapes. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. Cicla) were planted into an established hybrid bermudagrass lawn (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy ‘Tifsport’) in September. The vegetables were planted into tilled strips, 5 cm × 10 cm holes and 10 cm × 10 cm holes in the turf. All treatments produced harvestable yield, though the yield of vegetables planted in the tilled treatments and larger holes was greater than in smaller holes. Efforts to reduce turfgrass competition with vegetables by the application of glyphosate or the use of the Veggie Lawn Pod (an easily installed plastic cover on the lawn) did not increase yield. Tilled treatments left depressions that discouraged spring turfgrass recovery. The double-crop was tested by seven volunteers on their lawns. Though lawn-planted vegetables did not produce as much yield as those planted in the volunteers’ gardens, the volunteers were enthusiastic about this methodology. The volunteers reported that lawn vegetables were more difficult to plant but not more difficult to maintain, and they were easier to harvest than vegetables in their gardens. All volunteers reported satisfactory recovery of their lawns in the spring.

show abstract

Incorporating Early Spring Bulbs into Dormant Warm-season Turfgrasses

Cited by 8 publications

References 5 publications

Flowering Persistence and Pollinator Attraction of Early-spring Bulbs in Warm-season Lawns

Flowering Persistence and Pollinator Attraction of Early-spring Bulbs in Warm-season Lawns

Testing Flowering Perennial Plants in a Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) Lawn

The Urban Double-Crop: Can Fall Vegetables and a Warm-Season Lawn Co-Exist?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About