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
Monday - February 04, 2008
From: Ocala, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Native ground cover to replace grass in Florida.
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Where can I find a list of ground covers to replace my grass. I live in the south of Ocala Florida.ANSWER:
The Native Plant Society of Florida has lists of native plants to use for landscaping in Florida. You can search by county and I believe you are in Marion County.Here are a few recommendations from their list for groundcovers that do well in Marion County, Florida:
Dyschoriste oblongifolia (oblongleaf snakeherb)
Licania michauxii (gopher apple)
Mimosa strigillosa (powderpuff)
Mitchella repens (partridgeberry)
Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle frogfruit)
Sisyrinchium angustifolium (narrowleaf blue-eyed grass)
You can also see a list of Florida Recommended native plants on our web site. Here are several recommendations from this list that would serve well as groundcovers:
Ceratiola ericoides (sand heath)
Chamaecrista nictitans ssp. nictitans (sensitive partridge pea)
Gaylussacia dumosa (dwarf huckleberry)
Also, you might consider one of the sedges, such as:
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge)
Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)
More Groundcovers Questions
Destruction of Straggler Daisy in Austin
December 18, 2011 - I hate Straggler Daisy. Not to be offensive, but it appears from other posts on this site that you, Mr. Smarty Plants, and many others would like to treat it as a protected species. It is taking over ...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for Massachusetts campus
April 01, 2012 - Our campus is converting to more sustainable landscaping practices, and in the process we are planting native plants and removing lawn. Thus we would like to replace the lawn, and some invasive groun...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen ground cover for San Antonio
August 03, 2011 - Is there a short, evergreen, drought tolerant ground cover which will tolerate light traffic that can be used instead of grass? San Antonio, Texas
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
Removal of bramble under live oaks and replacing with groundcover
September 26, 2007 - We have several large live oaks on the front of our 12 acre property in Hockley, Texas. Under and around each oak is an extensive amount of bramble which we would like to remove so that we can enjoy ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |