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
Wednesday - April 15, 2015
From: Stanfield, NC
Region: Select Region
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Evergreen Groundcovers for a Sunny Clay Soil in NC
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
We have a landscaping business in Stanfield, NC. We are looking for suggestions for evergreen groundcovers for a sunny clay area. They need to fill in quickly and stay low for 1,600 square feet. Thank you for any suggestions you have. Can you also give the name(s) of suppliers where I can obtain them?ANSWER:
Let’s start with a list of native plants for your area. Take a look at the Native Plant Database on the www.wildflower.org website and put in the following search criteria: State = North Carolina, habit = herb (for herbaceous), duration = perennial, light requirement = full sun, soil moisture = moist, leaf retention = evergreen, height = 0-1 feet. This search will revealed one native plant to consider.
Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair spleenwort) Dainty, narrow, 2-10 in. evergreen fronds are all alike and spring in rosettes of from 10 to more than 100. The stems are dark brown and the pinnae are opposite and notched on their upper edges. Moist humus among limestone rocks.
Requires little special care, although it may benefit by protection from winter and early spring winds.
Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh NC have listed this fern in the past but it is currently unavailable.
Far Reaches Farm in Washington State list this fern in their catalog.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Restoring disturbed land in Marshall, TX.
December 04, 2014 - I have a 30 acre tract of land in Marshall, Texas. The oil company has turned 2-3 acres surrounding the rig into gravel. I would like to return the gravel area to green space. Any suggestions on gras...
view the full question and answer
Dividing blackeyed susans in Lake Ronkoko NY
July 06, 2009 - How are you supposed to divide blackeyed susan's? And when is the best time to do this?
view the full question and answer
What plants grow well in Athens, TX?
January 18, 2011 - Athens, Texas, we have very sandy soil mixed with clay, what plants grow well here?
view the full question and answer
Plants for a Shady Woodland in MA
June 09, 2013 - Hello, I am looking for natives to plant in full shade or part shade. My house is in the mountain woodland area of Mt. Washington, MA. I am looking for grasses, flowers and shrubs. Also I am looking f...
view the full question and answer
Is Lycopodium digitatum native to South Carolina?
December 27, 2012 - Is Lycopodium digitatum native to SC; do you know if it's available in SC nurseries?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |