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
Saturday - November 03, 2007
From: West End, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants for a Zen garden in North Carolina
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for plants that would be suitable for a ZEN style garden in North CarolinaANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants believes that you are looking for simple, graceful plants with a somewhat ordered shape that will lend an air of serenity to your Zen garden.GRASSES:
There are several bunch grasses that have this quality of grace and simplicity that would be suitable.
Eragrostis intermedia (plains lovegrass)
Muhlenbergia capillaris (hairawn muhly)
Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted hair grass)
Elymus histrix (Bottle-brush grass)
Spartina pectinata (Prairie cord grass)
SEDGES:
Sedges are another possibility. They look very much like the grasses, but have the advantage of most of them being evergreen.
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge)
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge)
Rhynchospora colorata (starrush whitetop)
SHRUBS AND SMALL TREES:
Paronychia virginica (yellow nailwort)
Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)
Yucca filamentosa (Adam's needle)
LARGER TREES:
Juniperus communis (common juniper)
Tsuga canadensis (Eastern hemlock). The fine texture of this tree makes it very attractive. Although it can grow to be a large tree (80 feet tall and 40 feet wide), it can be trimmed into a shrub. There is one variety, Sargentii, that has weeping branches that would be very attractive in a Zen garden setting.
You can see other lists of recommended native plants for your garden (not necessarily a Zen garden) on our "Recommended Species" page and on the North Carolina Botanical Garden web page.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Best time to plant Habiturf in Austin
February 20, 2012 - When is the best time to plant Habiturf seeds?
view the full question and answer
What plants grow well in Athens, TX?
January 18, 2011 - Athens, Texas, we have very sandy soil mixed with clay, what plants grow well here?
view the full question and answer
Native prairie grasses for East Texas
September 19, 2013 - What are the best grasses for native east texas prairie grass reestablishment, I have a small acreage I would like to turn into native grass land.
view the full question and answer
Drought tolerant grass with little need for mowing for Hill Country of Texas
November 17, 2011 - What grass would you recommend for the hill country of Texas that is drought tolerant and does not need frequent mowing?
view the full question and answer
Winter care of native perennials in Austin
October 19, 2008 - Last spring I planted some wildflowers suggested by Deryn Davidson. they did extremely well. I planted-Gulf Muhly,Big Muhly,Red Yucca,Purple Cone Flower,Wine Cup, Large Buttercup And Mealy Blue sage, ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |