Native Plants
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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.
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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Tuesday - June 24, 2008
From: Charlotte, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Plants to put beside driveway
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a 100 foot dying grassy side to my driveway. It is about 5 foot wide. What could I plant that would not look like soldiers but be at least 4 foot high and I could use mulch or needles to beautify?ANSWER:
Here are some suggestions from our Recommended Species for North Carolina list of native species that are commercially available for landscaping solutions. These have varied shapes and textures and could be mixed for even more variety. You can find more shrubs from the above list by choosing the Narrow Your Search option and select 'Shrub' from the Habit (general appearance) category.
Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)
Erythrina herbacea (coralbean)
Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. Johnswort)
Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) This species is evergreen and there are dwarf cultivars available.
Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark)
Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac)
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry)
More Shrubs Questions
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Native flower bed with part sun
December 05, 2008 - I have recently put in three small flower beds and replaced the hard clay with decent dirt. The site is shaded in the AM but mostly sun in the PM. I would like to plant natives - what can you recommen...
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New nursery plants with sappy spots from Round Rock, TX
September 09, 2012 - We live on the west side of RR, near Cedar Park and recently bought three 15 gallon cherry laurels from a nursery. Started to plant them today as we bought them a week ago and noticed base of the trun...
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Plant to stabilize river bank in Wisconsin
July 10, 2011 - We live along the Chippewa River in Pepin County WI and are looking for a blooming plant to help "hold" our river bank and also look attractive..it must be strong enough to take the spring flood.
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Puppy-friendly privacy screen in Montana
November 02, 2012 - I need some puppy-friendly short(< 30') privacy from the gigantic windows of my next door neighbor. But- there are power lines above the area that I needed to plant! I had planned on an aspen grove, ...
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