Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Wednesday - June 29, 2011
From: Brewster, MA
Region: Northeast
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Low groundcovers for MA
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
We are developing ground mounted solar installations in southeastern MA. We are seeking advice for native groundcover species for our various regions (coastal meadows, etc). Species like bearberry and low-bush blueberry are typical. Are there others (and perhaps some annuals) that you can recommend? We must keep to less than 24" to avoid shading the panels.ANSWER:
You will ultimately be limited in your choices by what plants are available in the nurseries in your area, but can begin the process by visiting our Native Plant Database. If you do a Combination Search selecting All Habits, Sun, Moist or Dry Conditions (depending on your site) and a height of 1-3 feet, it will generate a list of plants that you can consider for your project. It will give you perennials, annuals, grasses and small shrubs. You will find Vaccinium angustifolium (Late lowbush blueberry) and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick) on that list.
Here are some other tough plants native to your area to consider (you will have to verify moisture requirements as we have not selected for that):
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)
Coreopsis verticillata (Threadleaf coreopsis)
Gaylussacia baccata (Black huckleberry)
Hierochloe odorata (Sweetgrass)
Iris versicolor (Harlequin blueflag)
Monarda didyma (Scarlet beebalm)
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Gulf muhly)
Potentilla arguta (Tall cinquefoil)
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed susan)
Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve (Smooth blue aster)
Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Lingonberry)
Planting a mixed meadow of plants like these will not interfere with your solar installation but will be attractive and provide wildlife habitat benefits. That's a win/win!
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Flowering groundcover for Indiana
May 25, 2009 - I live in southern Indiana and am looking for a nice flowering groundcover that will overcome the grass. It is on a hill that is very hard to mow.
view the full question and answer
Replacement for shade grass in El Paso TX
April 05, 2013 - We currently have a Honey Mesquite tree with thinning bermuda grass underneath in our front yard. I suspect that the filtered shade is killing the bermuda. I was thinking of planting Buffalo Grass, or...
view the full question and answer
Low maintenance ground cover for pool area in Corona CA
March 28, 2009 - Hi, I have this slope in my backyard that goes up to the neighbors yard. I'm looking for a low maintenance ground cover type plant that will stop erosion and won't cause a mess for my pool which is...
view the full question and answer
Flowering Deer Resistant Ground Cover for Dry Rocky Soil: Alabama
March 26, 2012 - My question has been partially answered in the FAQ but I live in Birmingham where the soil is clay and rocky so it's a little different. I want to plant on a rocky slope (small rocks like the size of...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for wildlife in Virginia
March 01, 2009 - Looking for a good ground cover to replace what we've got growing in front of our condo in Northern Virginia. Something to provide cover for the birds and their fledgelings in the spring and summer, ...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
