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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.

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Monday - March 19, 2007

From: Cypress, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Ground cover for partly sunny, wet area in Cypress, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am in need of a ground cover to plant in an area close to our entryway. The area is shady to partly sunny, holds water in rainy weather, and has a shrub border. We are in Texas. Any ideas? Thank you.

ANSWER:

Here are three suggestions for a ground cover that should do well in your shady area that sometimes holds water:

Viola sororia (common blue violet)

Phyla nodiflora (Texas frogfruit)

Marsilea vestita (hairy waterclover) (or Marsilea macropoda (bigfoot waterclover))

 


Viola sororia

Phyla nodiflora

Marsilea vestita

 


Marsilea macropoda
 

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