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

rate this answer

Monday - June 18, 2007
From: Schaumburg, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Looking for cover
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live iin Schaumburg, IL and have a difficult spot (extreme sun and heat in summer (South Side of house). I'm looking for a very short ground cover - < or + to 6 inchees. Does Arabis hirsuta fit this requirement?ANSWER:
We don't have a great deal of information about Arabis hirsuta (hairy rockcress) in our Native Plants Database; but, the information from Plants for a Future and University of Washington indicates that it should work for your site.
Here are a few other suggestions of plants that grow between 6-12 inches high and are native to Illinois:
Heterotheca villosa (hairy false goldenaster)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)
If you are willing to have a slightly taller ground cover for a hot sunny location, you might consider Artemisia frigida (prairie sagewort) or Artemisia ludoviciana (white sagebrush).
More Groundcovers Questions
Non-native invasive chickweed in Collegeville PA
December 31, 2011 - My problem is chickweed. I have found considerable information on how to eliminate the chickweed. My question is after following a suggested elimination process: How and when do I reseed with grass?...
view the full question and answer
Possible ground covers under pine trees in Illinois
April 18, 2006 - Have pine trees in front of house. No luck with the lawn around them....was told it's because of ground acidity. Any tips on how to get a lawn to grow there? If not, can you suggest some ground cover...
view the full question and answer
Dog wallowing in damp area in garden from Great Bend KS
March 20, 2013 - I Have a wet area in my back yard that is close to my house. and off my patio there is a water hydrant,gas meter, electrical for my hot tub, my sprinkler valves and pump all there. My dog digs throug...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for trails in Northeast Texas
January 09, 2008 - I have several acres of wooded land in Northeast Texas, Southern Lamar County. Both sandy and black land. I have created trails through the woods and would like to plant a native ground cover or gras...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for Southern California clay slope
April 02, 2012 - I have a 30 ft. high by 96 ft. long slope with clay soil slope that I want to plant a low height ground cover. Any recommendations on what ground cover possibilities to use.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |