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
2 ratings

Wednesday - July 22, 2009

From: Mooresville, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Water Gardens, Compost and Mulch, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Native water plants for bio-retention pond in North Carolina
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I am looking for North Carolina native plants that can take part shade and very wet conditions (bioretention pond environment). Any suggestions?

ANSWER:

Although we are going to give you a list of native plants for North Carolina from our own Native Plant Database, we thought you might also like to look at Recommended Native Plant Species for Stream Restoration in North Carolina by Karen Hall, NC Stream Restoration Institute, North Carolina State University. 

An excerpt from a previous Mr. Smarty Plants response to a similar question; this time it was referred to as a "bioswale." You didn't say what your soil is, but there is a very good website included in this excerpt on bioswale construction, which may or may not be apropos to your situation. 

Common swales are typically vegetated with turf grass and are a conveyance tool, basically a grassy stormwater sewer that conveys water as quickly as possible from Point A to Point B. A bioswale differs in that the turf grass is replaced with native prairie vegetation. This will significantly reduce the flow velocity (slow down of the runoff) in the swale’s drainage course. The residence time of the runoff is thus increased, which gives it the time to be stored, filtered, and infiltrated. These processes remove pollutants and suspended solids from runoff.

In terms of soil, we found this information on bioswale construction, from the USDA, which shows compost tilled into the native soil (clay, in this instance) to facilitate the drainage. The plants we have selected are all perennial, tolerate shade, and will grow in moist, clay soils. These are plants with fibrous roots that will hold in the soil when water is rushing by, help to slow it down, and permit the pollutants in the water to be filtered out. 

Since many of our suggestions are basically for prairie grasses, you might be interested in reading our How-To Article Recreating a Prairie, which has instructions for time of year to be planting, preparing the soil, planting and caring for the grasses. We will also recommend some other plants that can stand wet feet and shady conditions. Follow the web link to the page for the individual plant, and decide which plants will best suit your purposes. When you are ready to begin, go to our Native Plant Suppliers section, put your town and state in the Enter Search Location box, and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed companies and landscape consultants in your general area who can help you select the right plants for your purpose.

Plants for shady and wet conditions

Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem)

Arundinaria gigantea (giant cane) - pictures

Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)

Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense (Jamaica swamp sawgrass)

Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass)

Typha latifolia (broadleaf cattail)

Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)

Bacopa monnieri (herb of grace)

Equisetum arvense (field horsetail)

Equisetum hyemale var. affine (scouringrush horsetail)

Equisetum hyemale (scouringrush horsetail)

Helianthus angustifolius (swamp sunflower)

Iris prismatica (slender blue iris)

Justicia americana (American water-willow)

Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)


Andropogon gerardii

Calamagrostis canadensis

Chasmanthium latifolium

Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense

Leersia oryzoides

Typha latifolia

Asclepias incarnata

Bacopa monnieri

Equisetum arvense

Equisetum hyemale var. affine

Equisetum hyemale

Helianthus angustifolius

Iris prismatica

Justicia americana

Phyla nodiflora

 

 


 

 

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions

Weeds in Buffalograss from Edmond OK
September 20, 2012 - We have a patch of buffalograss surrounded by patio/flower garden/vegetable garden. We like B-grass, but are getting a lot of weeds despite preemergents, and some bermuda had appeared. Are there h...
view the full question and answer

Texas native plants for cemetery site
February 09, 2005 - I am trying to landscape my mothers gravesite located in far East Texas (just outside of Nacogdoches) and I am looking for some evergreen bushes or any other decorative plants for that area. I am thi...
view the full question and answer

How can I control Rescue Grass in my newly seeded prairie restoration?
March 25, 2009 - Hello, This past fall I solarized the existing turfgrass in my front yard and seeded with the native tallgrass prairie grasses and wildflowers. My goal is to restore a small patch of tall grass pr...
view the full question and answer

Non-native invasive chickweed in Collegeville PA
December 31, 2011 - My problem is chickweed. I have found considerable information on how to eliminate the chickweed. My question is after following a suggested elimination process: How and when do I reseed with grass?...
view the full question and answer

Erosion prevention on shady Pennsylvania stream
July 28, 2011 - I'm looking for a few species to plant along a stream channel to help reduce erosion during heavy rains. The soil is moist and in full shade. Ferns and thorny bushes are the only current vegetation...
view the full question and answer

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