Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - March 04, 2008

From: Cheboygan, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Groundcovers, Ferns, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Vines
Title: Native plants for memorial garden in Michigan
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I want to start a memorial garden for my daughter. I live in northern Michigan and the area has very tall white pines we have pruned them up about 15' so the area does get partial sun. Which plants will grow under the pines. I would like some ground cover and vines to climb a wattle fence. Thank you

ANSWER:

There are lots of choices for groundcovers for Michigan that should do well in your daughter's memorial garden. Some of them will grow in partial shade, a few will grow in full shade, and others will grow in sun, partial shade and shade.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)

Asarum canadense (Canadian wildginger)

Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge)

Cornus canadensis (bunchberry dogwood)

Fragaria virginiana (Virginia strawberry)

Geranium maculatum (spotted geranium)

Mitchella repens (partridgeberry)

Phlox pilosa (downy phlox)

Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern)

Viola sororia (common blue violet)

Viola pedata (birdfoot violet)

Here are vines that are native to Michigan

Celastrus scandens (American bittersweet)

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper)

Clematis occidentalis var. occidentalis (western blue virginsbower)

Clematis virginiana (devil's darning needles)

Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle)

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)

Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria)

You can also find an entire list of native species recommended for Michigan or you can make your own list by doing a "Combination Search" on the Native Plant Database.


Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Asarum canadense

Carex pensylvanica

Cornus canadensis

Fragaria virginiana

Geranium maculatum

Mitchella repens

Phlox pilosa

Polystichum acrostichoides

Viola sororia

Viola pedata

Celastrus scandens

Campsis radicans

Clematis occidentalis var. occidentalis

Clematis virginiana



Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Wisteria frutescens

 

 

More Ferns Questions

Hanging plants for Austin, TX
May 18, 2014 - I'm looking for a hanging potted flower suggestion for Austin. Most locations are shaded under a large tree, but some locations may have several hours of afternoon sun. I'd love to see some hummin...
view the full question and answer

Hanging Baskets for Batson, TX
May 23, 2014 - What plants can I put in hanging baskets for my shady porch?
view the full question and answer

Cottage-style landscaping for Chesapeake VA
August 02, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plant staff, I recently moved into a cottage style home that has a poured concrete/paver patio. I am trying to come up with ideas for plantings that would 1. give me a bit of privacy,...
view the full question and answer

Propagation of ferns
June 05, 2005 - I have several varieties of well-established ferns and would like to know how I might propagate these ferns. I have tried just snipping one stem to root it but I was unsuccessful.
view the full question and answer

Poolside plants for East Texas
June 18, 2015 - What are the best plants, shrubs, ornamental trees, etc. for poolside planting in East Texas?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.