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
Friday - May 30, 2008
From: St. Johns, NF
Region: Canada
Topic: Groundcovers, Shrubs
Title: Low-growing plant for grave in boggy Newfoundland
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for any suggestions on what type of plant I can plant on a grave. It is very boggy (peat)land. I want something that is hardy & not too tall. We have about 8 weeks of summer, July & August. Something that is easy to take care off. Any suggestions?ANSWER:
It seems that an evergreen plant would be a good choice for a grave. Something in the wintergreen family (Family Pyrolaceae) should work well since they are small with evergreen leaves and charming flowers in the summer.
Orthilia secunda (sidebells wintergreen)
Pyrola americana (American wintergreen)
Pyrola chlorantha (greenflowered wintergreen)
Pyrola grandiflora (largeflowered wintergreen)
Pyrola minor (snowline wintergreen)
The following are evergreen low-growing shrubs and subshrubs growing less than 3 feet tall:
Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minus (mountain cranberry)
Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry)
Vaccinium oxycoccos (small cranberry)
Andromeda polifolia (bog rosemary)
Empetrum nigrum (black crowberry)
Gaultheria hispidula (creeping snowberry) with photos and more information from borealforest.org
Ledum groenlandicum (bog Labrador tea)
If you want to put something at the site that isn't evergreen but will produce beautiful blossoms, you might consider using a native iris:
Iris versicolor (harlequin blueflag)
More Groundcovers Questions
Groundcovers for California
September 16, 2009 - Can you recommend native ground covers for shade area to prevent soil erosion; the area is near an old California Live Oak.
view the full question and answer
Native Plants for Shaded North Slope in Ohio
January 03, 2013 - I have a shaded north hillside which needs erosion control plants. Mostly moss and very thin grass grows there now. Please help!
view the full question and answer
Low ground cover for steep bank in Ohio
September 02, 2008 - We have a 3/4 acre pond that has several places along the bank too steep to mow. We would like to plant some type of ground cover in those areas that would keep the weeds out. The planting would need ...
view the full question and answer
Lawn for a Shady & Wet area in Austin, TX
July 22, 2015 - We have a drainage area that has appeared in our back yard since the neighbors’ homes were built. When we get heavy rains (like this year) all their drainage flows into our back yard and forms a river...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating and replacing Tradescantia species
July 03, 2013 - Dear Mr. Smarty Pants,
I need advice. I recently figured out my 10 month old dog is highly allergic to Tradescantia sp, commonly known as the Spiderworts, and "Wandering Jew" which covers about h...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |