Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

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


Eastern woodland sedge
Carex blanda

Virginia strawberry
Fragaria virginiana

Fan clubmoss
Lycopodium digitatum

Wild blue phlox
Phlox divaricata

Common cinquefoil
Potentilla simplex

Dwarf red blackberry
Rubus pubescens

Woodland stonecrop
Sedum ternatum

More Shade Tolerant Questions

Plants for shade under pine trees in Grapevine TX
May 16, 2010 - What plants are good to put under pine trees in the shade? I live in the Dallas Fort Worth area? The previous owners stuck a Japanese Maple in there that seems to be ok and some sort of holly bush (n...
view the full question and answer

Shrub or small tree for dappled shade in San Antonio
April 18, 2010 - I'm looking for an attractive bush or small tree that will grow in dry, dappled shade. I'd prefer one that does not form fruit-I don't want the neighborhood skunks visiting my yard.(My dog has been...
view the full question and answer

Plants for a shady front border in Ohio
April 28, 2010 - My front flower bed faces the North. For the past 2 yrs. I lost 5-6 perennials. What can I plant that will make it with little sun. I don't want hostas nor ferns, nor short ground covers. I want col...
view the full question and answer

Evergreen drought-tolerant screening plant for shade
May 13, 2010 - I am renting my place and looking for a screening, green all year, native plant or shrub. I plan to grow it in large planters along my street and to create privacy in my back yard. It has to be a non...
view the full question and answer

mixed species privacy hedge in Central Texas
March 24, 2016 - I need to plant a privacy hedge along a fence line. I am in east Austin, blackland prairie soil. The soil is rich, usually at least moist but not soggy, and I find lots of worms when I dig. The fen...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.