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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Saturday - June 12, 2010
From: Springfield, KY
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Plants for pool area in Kentucky
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We live in central Kentucky and have a backyard pool that desperately needs some landscaping. I would like plants that don't drop a lot of leaves or "trash". I'd like a list of great poolside plants, ground cover, shrubs for this area. Many thanks!ANSWER:
You can find a list of commercially available native plants suitable for landscaping on the Kentucky Recommended page. I've picked a few from that list and added a few others that would do nicely near your pool. Since I don't know the exact growing conditions at your site (e.g., available sun and moisture) you should read the GROWING CONDITIONS section on each species page to be sure that they fit those of your site.
LOW-GROWING PLANTS/GROUNDCOVERS:
Glandularia bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain)
Fragaria virginiana (Virginia strawberry)
Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)
Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)
TALLER HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS:
Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox)
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
SHRUBS:
Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)
Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. Johnswort)
Hydrangea arborescens (wild hydrangea)
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel)
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Plants to prevent erosion in IL
August 02, 2012 - We just got done building a house and have leveled all of the dirt piles. We do have a row of straw bales to help prevent the dirt from washing onto the neighbors property. It is the wrong time of ye...
view the full question and answer
Moving School House lilies in Austin
March 02, 2009 - I live here in Austin in zipcode 78729. I have a clump of School House lilies in the back of the garden. I would like to move them to another bed under a tree. Is this a good time to move them? Should...
view the full question and answer
When should salvia greggii be pruned from Austin
December 12, 2013 - Should salvia greggii be pruned in fall/winter? I thought I read onsite that all woody perennials should be left untouched or pruned to 6 inches. Does this apply to salvia greggii?
view the full question and answer
Plants for full sun and clay soil in NY
May 06, 2008 - We live in upstate new york( zone 5) with full sun and clay soil. What flowers/flowering shrubs would be successful in this environment?
view the full question and answer
Plants for church gardens in Ft. Worth TX
November 07, 2013 - Second attempt.
Our church has many gardens in Fort Worth, TX. There are gardens for blue,red,yellow,white,purple,orange,pink,mixed,community garden,roses, and more.
I am interested in the la...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |