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

Thursday - April 09, 2009
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Native plants for groundcover under Magnolia in Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
What plants native to the Austin, Tx area will do well underneath a large magnolia tree (instead of the English ivy that is there)?ANSWER:
Unfortunately, we find ourselves talking more and more about allelopathy, as more is being learned about it. This is a process by which a tree, usually as it matures, emits substances from leaves, twigs or even roots that inhibit the growth of competing plants beneath that tree. Species of magnolia definitely are offenders in this respect. We would certainly recommend that you remove the non-native English ivy, for reasons laid out in this Plant Conservation Alliance Alien Plant Working Group site Least Wanted-Hedera helix, (English ivy). It is an invasive plant and can damage brickwork and kill trees if allowed to grow unchecked.
Besides the emission of toxic substances, the dense shade of Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) can also prevent the flourishing of understory plants. However, we will suggest a few shade plants, a couple ferns and some grasses, that could hopefully overcome both disadvantages and give you an attractive native cover beneath the tree. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center recommends only plants native not to North America and to the area in which they are being grown; plants already acclimated to the climate, rainfall and temperatures will require less maintenance, water and fertilizer.
Plants for under a magnolia tree
Athyrium filix-femina (common ladyfern) - 2 to 3 ft. tall, part shade, shade
Calyptocarpus vialis (straggler daisy) - 6" to 1 ft. tall, sun, part shade, shade
Hydrocotyle umbellata (manyflower marshpennywort) - 6" to 1 ft. tall, sun, part shade, shade
Onoclea sensibilis (sensitive fern) - to 3 ft. tall, part shade, shade
Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox) - 8" to 18" tall, part shade, shade
Ruellia drummondiana (Drummond's wild petunia) - 1 to 3 ft. tall, part shade, shade
Viola lanceolata (bog white violet) - part shade, shade
Viola missouriensis (Missouri violet) - 6" to 1 ft. tall, part shade, shade
Grasses for under a magnolia tree
Bromus ciliatus (fringed brome) - sun, part shade, shade
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) - 2 to 4 ft. tall, part shade, shade
Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill) - 1 to 2-1/2 ft. tall, part shade, shade
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass) - 3 to 6 ft. tall, sun, part shade, shade
More Groundcovers Questions
Low Groundcover for Washington State
February 03, 2015 - I'm trying to find a perfect fit for my piece of land in the State of Washington. I would say that the area is partly sunny and a somewhat moist area. I'm looking for a species of very small everg...
view the full question and answer
Pros and cons of Hydrocotyl bonariensis as lawn replacement
March 22, 2008 - Want to convert lawn TO dollar weed!
My Garland TX yard has become so shady over the years that I have a hard time with grass. A few years ago I noticed dollar weed in the grass which seemed to cre...
view the full question and answer
What to plant between patio flagstones in Austin, TX?
May 16, 2011 - I would like to plant something between my flagstones on the patio. Something that doesn't require a lot of water, low growing, and can stand a little to moderate traffic. It is in a shade to partly...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for Plano, Texas
July 06, 2011 - Looking for perennial seeds, maximum height 6 inches.
Basically, a ground cover. Flowering would be nice but not #1 on list.
Medium to maximum sun. Don't have the best soil, but fertilizer, sprink...
view the full question and answer
Bare feet-friendly native groundcovers for New York
April 14, 2005 - We own land at elevation 1600', near Sherburn, NY. We want to walk barefoot around the tipi area, but don't want to plant grass (mowing grass). What native ground cover would be kind to bare feet ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |