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?

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
Not Yet Rated

Monday - April 20, 2015

From: Sunbury, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Vines, Wildflowers
Title: Evergreen groundcovers for NE NC
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

Can you please provide a list of evergreen native groundcovers for Northeastern NC?

ANSWER:

Let’s start first by looking at a list of native plants for North Carolina that are evergreens. Take a look at the Native Plant Database on the www.wildflower.org website and put in the following search criteria: State = NC, habit = herb (herbaceous), duration = perennial, leaf retention = evergreen, height = 0-1 feet.  Then select the height and light exposure that you have. This will generate a list of herbaceous plants to begin narrowing down. These plants are those that grow in North Carolina. The Native Plant Database can’t fine tune the search to NE NC. Follow this search by changing the height to include 1-3 feet if you want taller plants.  Also look at evergreen shrubs and vines as possible groundcovers too. Some of the native evergreen plants for NC are illustrated below. Follow the links to the plant pages for more information.

Also the NC Native Plant Society have a list of groundcovers on their website.

 

 

From the Image Gallery


Coral honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens

Carolina jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens

Swamp jessamine
Gelsemium rankinii

Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata

Little brown jug
Hexastylis arifolia

Partridgeberry
Mitchella repens

Trailing arbutus
Epigaea repens

Eastern teaberry
Gaultheria procumbens

Canby's mountain-lover
Paxistima canbyi

Woman's tobacco
Antennaria plantaginifolia

Wild blue phlox
Phlox divaricata

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Hydrilla problems in Tom Bean Lake in Mesquite, TX.
October 12, 2012 - What is the lifespan of Hydrilla in 30 acre lake at Tom Bean Tx? Does it grow spring thru summer and then hibernate thru winter ??
view the full question and answer

Different colors of Argemone spp. from McAllen TX
March 16, 2014 - I took pictures of at least 5 colors of pricklepoppy today. Is this common to have so many colors in one area? How do I harvest the seedpods and when is the best time to do so?
view the full question and answer

Plants for a Austin thicket underlayer
July 25, 2014 - We live in Austin, west of 183. We are planning to put a thicket in our backyard, where there is no threat of deer. Anchoring the thicket are a clump of live oaks, a Texas persimmon, an Eve's Necklac...
view the full question and answer

Plants for yard in Sweetwater, Texas
March 19, 2010 - What plants or grass would you suggest for an area that that is located on the east side of our house - full sun morning through noon, then it's shaded the remainder of the day.. Thanks!!
view the full question and answer

Plants that are deer resistant for high desert climate in Utah
January 23, 2008 - We are building in a high desert climate in Dammeron Valley, Utah. We want plants that are both deer resistant and require little watering. Can you advise which plants (shrubs, flowers, cacti) that ...
view the full question and answer

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