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.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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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!

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Saturday - January 23, 2016

From: San Jose, CA
Region: California
Topic: Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs, Vines
Title: Pet Friendly Groundcovers for CA
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

I am looking for pet friendly, groundcover plants in San Jose, CA.

ANSWER:

Let’s start first 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 = California, habit = vine, duration = perennial, light requirement = shade, soil moisture = dry. Then select the light requirements and soil moisture levels you have. This will generate a list of vines that could act like groundcover plants.

Then cross-reference the native vines list with the poisonous plants list on the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) website. This website lists plants that are toxic or non-toxic to pets.

Best wishes in your search.