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
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.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Sharing Selfheal with Texas Friends
April 25, 2013 - I have discovered selfheal plants in my yard. When and how do I collect the seeds or do I just dig up plants to share with friends? I understand this is actually an herb. I love identifying wildflower...
view the full question and answer
How to introduce a new columbine?
June 15, 2009 - Hello Mr. Smarty Pants,
I have a new plant in my yard and need to know how to get it named and who do I send the seeds to. It's a white columbine double double like a miniature mum. It must have c...
view the full question and answer
Identity of stinging weed in Pearl, Mississippi
March 20, 2016 - I live in Pearl, MS. Yesterday I pulled a weed that right away started stinging my hand and in a few hours turned into stinging numbness. The weed has dark green heart shaped leaves with purple veins ...
view the full question and answer
Blackfoot daisy turning brown in Round Rock, TX
September 30, 2009 - A few days ago, our blackfoot daisy was doing wonderfully. Then we got heavy rains and suddenly the plant is sere and brown. Did the too wet weather do this, and will it come back next year?
view the full question and answer
East Texas Natives and Botanical History
May 05, 2011 - I am looking for flowers &/or flowering shrubs that are native to east Texas, especially that would have been in this area over 100 or more years ago.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |