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
Monday - May 25, 2009
From: Union, MO
Region: Midwest
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Groundcover for wet area in Missouri
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hello, I live in Missouri and our neighborhood is built over a natural spring. Half of my yard remains wet/moist for weeks to months and we can't mow it. I'm looking for a ground cover and plants that will be able to survive, take over the grass that is there, and be attractive. The area is mostly shaded with some areas without trees. I'd something low maintenance. Thanks!ANSWER:
This sounds like a great place for ferns. Here are some possibilities:FERNS
Athyrium filix-femina (common ladyfern)
Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern)
Woodwardia areolata (netted chainfern)
You can add some other plants to the fern mix in the form of:
PERENNIAL HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)
Caltha palustris (yellow marsh marigold)
Impatiens capensis (jewelweed)
Iris brevicaulis (zigzag iris)
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
Lobelia siphilitica (great blue lobelia)
Monarda didyma (scarlet beebalm)
Vernonia fasciculata (prairie ironweed)
More Groundcovers Questions
Compatibility of mixed ground covers with St. Agustine grass
March 04, 2015 - My husband and I live in Northwest Austin. We have removed lawn from our front yard and replaced it with mulch and some trees and other plantings.
We would like to replace the lawn in our backyard ...
view the full question and answer
Flowering groundcover for Indiana
May 25, 2009 - I live in southern Indiana and am looking for a nice flowering groundcover that will overcome the grass. It is on a hill that is very hard to mow.
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for a slope in NY
April 04, 2010 - I live in New York State about 60 miles north of NYC. I have a very wide hill in the front of my house that I am just unable to keep up with. I can mow the bottom portion but using a weed trimmer fo...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen groundcover in Louisiana
November 17, 2009 - I need a suggestion for an evergreen groundcover plant that can tolerate moist soil. I want something that is low maintenance to go around a pergola in my backyard that gets mostly full sun.
view the full question and answer
Deer proof ground cover for sunny area in Mississippi
June 09, 2012 - I am looking for a low ground cover that will thrive in a sunny location and is deer proof
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |