Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - July 02, 2014
From: Albany, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Groundcovers, Shade Tolerant
Title: Groundcover for part shade in Albany NY
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hello! I'm looking for: a native ground cover, mostly shade with only some morning sun, on a slope, edible is preferred but not necessity, mostly clay type soil for the Albany, NY area. Thanks for your help!ANSWER:
The following are native plants that grow in Albany County, New York or an adjacent county and would make good groundcovers:
Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge) Here is more information from Evergreen Native Plant Database.
Fragaria virginiana (Virginia strawberry) is edible. Here is more information from Illinois Wildflowers.
Lycopodium digitatum (Fan clubmoss) Here is more information from Plants of Southern New Jersey.
Phlox divaricata (Wild blue phlox) Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.
Potentilla simplex (Common cinquefoil) is edible. Here is more information from Alternative Nature Online Herbal.
Rubus pubescens (Dwarf red blackberry) is edible but needs moisture to grow well. Here is more information from Northern Ontario Plant Database.
Sedum ternatum (Woodland stonecrop) Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Groundcover Under Maple Tree in Ottawa That Takes Foot Traffic
April 19, 2013 - Hi, I am looking for a groundcover to put under a large maple tree that will be alright for kids to run about on and will be happy in the Ottawa climate. Your other answers to similar questions have b...
view the full question and answer
Looking for a native turf grass for the Houston area
July 25, 2013 - Looking for a native turf grass for the Houston area. In some of your 2012 responses, you stated that "The good news is that research into turf-type grasses native to the coastal region is in the pla...
view the full question and answer
Plant ID at Wildflower Center from Waco TX
June 18, 2012 - I was at the Center last weekend and no one was able to answer these two questions: 1. Where can I buy Silver Ponyfoot groundcover? 2. What is the name of the plant with coral blossoms in front of...
view the full question and answer
Bare feet-friendly native groundcovers for New York
April 14, 2005 - We own land at elevation 1600', near Sherburn, NY. We want to walk barefoot around the tipi area, but don't want to plant grass (mowing grass). What native ground cover would be kind to bare feet ...
view the full question and answer
Low growing, flowering evergreen plants for Pflugerville TX
March 30, 2010 - I am wondering if you can suggest some low growing, flowering evergreen plants for my garden.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |