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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - July 09, 2015
From: Shiro, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Groundcover Planting in Shiro TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I have been collecting seeds from White Avens and Texas Sedge to use as ground covers. What is the optimal time to plant these seeds? We have been experiencing heavy rains in our area lately, so I am also concerned about the seeds washing away.ANSWER:
Mr Smarty Plants works from the philosophy that native plant seeding should be done at pretty much the same time that the plants would seed themselves in the wild.
Geum canadense (White avens) is a good ground cover and is native to your area. You can find the Plant Record on that link and it shows the bloom period as April through June. That means that the plant itself will be distributing its seeds roughly May through July.
Carex texensis (Texas sedge) is also a good groundcover choice. The record shows that it blooms March through May, which makes an optimal seeding time as April through June.
For both, it appears that now is a pretty good time to seed and you wouldn’t want to wait too much later. I hear you about the rains we’ve been having but we really do need the moisture! It’s a good idea to scratch the soil gently and press the seeds lightly onto the surface. Mostly all you can do is hope that we’ll get a nice distribution of soakings and no floods until your groundcover is established.
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Ground cover to withstand dog traffic in Michigan
November 02, 2010 - I need a soft ground cover that will grow in sand, and be able to take four big dogs that love to run in the yard. Grass just doesn't make it. Someone suggested that groundcover might work.
Thanks...
view the full question and answer
Invasive non-native mulberry and groundcover in Jacksonville FL
October 02, 2011 - Northeast Florida (Jacksonville) inland. My mulberry tree provides dense shade in the summer and filtered light the other seasons, leaving sand in its growing area. What fast growing ground cover woul...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for Orange County, California
August 05, 2012 - What ground cover do you suggest for an Orange Co., CA, backyard with a steep slope in 3-4 hours of sun? Needs to grow fast to beat the weeds. Something pretty would be nice!
Thanks
view the full question and answer
Wildflowers for Murphy NC Clay
August 24, 2012 - I live on a ridge in Murphy NC. The property has trees so most of the land is in partial shade. The soil is good 'ole mountain red clay. I have some steep bankings in front of the house that I wou...
view the full question and answer
Ground covers for play area in Plano, TX
April 14, 2007 - Is there a ground cover that would work under and around a swing in our front yard in Plano, Texas. It would get morning sun and dappled shade from a trimmed live oak in the afternoon. It would need t...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |