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
Monday - July 27, 2015
From: Northville , MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Replacement for Love Grass in Michigan
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
need a replacement for Love Grass at Shops of Willow Bend in Plano. The entire perimeter of this mall has Bermuda and Love Grass. The Elms and Oaks have grown so the Love Grass is mostly gone. There is at least a mile of this so we need a plant to seed in. Carex texensis sounded perfect? But I don't think we can get it in seed? is there another option? I am a Land Arch in Michigan working with Brickman contractors..ANSWER:
A Carex species would be a very good choice for replacement of the love grass. Most of them are evergreen and do well in shade. They are usually sold as bedding plants and it is difficult to find them as seeds. However, I did find that Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona, Minnesota has seeds for a large variety of sedges. Here are a few that might do well at your site:
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) does well in shade and part shade and grows to a height of about 8 inches. Here is the description from Prairie Moon Nursery.
Another sedge, Carex sprengelii (Sprengel's sedge), has an ornamental seed head and grows well in shade and partial shade to a height of 2 feet. Here is the description from Prairie Moon Nursery.
Carex radiata (Eastern star sedge) grows well in shade and part shade to a height of 12 inches. Here is the description from Prairie Moon Nursery.
Carex eburnea (Bristleleaf sedge) grows in full sun to full shade to a height of 6 inches. Here is the description from Prairie Moon Nursery.
Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge) is evergreen grows in full sun to full shade to 2 feet high. Here is the description from Prairie Moon Nursery.
One attractive perennial grass that grows well in partial to full shade is Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats).
From the Image Gallery
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Deer Resistant part shade plants for Austin:
March 28, 2010 - What evergreen shrubs would you recommend for a partly-shaded area, next to a wall, which can be trimmed to keep their shape and height (for symmetry)..this is for a front gate to a community, so we n...
view the full question and answer
Vines for Shade in Upstate New York
April 23, 2013 - Hello! I am looking for a non-invasive vine that will grow in heavy shade near my house in upstate New York.
view the full question and answer
Shade tolerant plants for erosion from Austin
May 03, 2014 - I live in Austin and my house backs up to Shoal Creek. I am looking for a native creeping vine or something that will grow on the shaded bank to help prevent erosion. It should be able to tolerate the...
view the full question and answer
Grass for dense shade in Simpsonville SC
May 12, 2010 - We live in Simpsonville, SC. Our back yard leads back into very dense woods. It is extremely shady, virtually no direct sun for any length of time. We have a hard time growing grass here. What type of...
view the full question and answer
Hibiscus to grow in partial shade in North Carolina
September 25, 2009 - What variety of hibiscus can I plant in Lexington, NC? Are there any variaties that tolerate partial shade?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |