Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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
3 ratings

Saturday - October 03, 2009

From: Mooresville, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Water Gardens, Groundcovers, Shrubs
Title: Plants for wet soils in North Carolina
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I'm looking for evergreen plants (shrubs or ground cover)that will tolerate wet conditions for the zone 8 area of North Carolina. The local garden centers here do not stock these types of plants, even though much of the soil around here is prone to wetness from overflowing streams, lots of rain, topography, etc! Thank you.

ANSWER:

Here are various evergreen plants that tolerate, or require, wet soils in North Carolina:

TREES/SHRUBS:

Chamaedaphne calyculata (leatherleaf)

Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar)

Ilex glabra (inkberry)

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle)

Rhododendron maximum (great laurel)

Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry)

VARIOUS HERBACEOUS PLANTS:

Adiantum capillus-veneris (common maidenhair) is evergreen in mild winters.

Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)

Eleocharis montevidensis (sand spikerush)

Equisetum hyemale (scouringrush horsetail)

Gelsemium rankinii (Rankin's trumpetflower) and here are photos and more information.

Hydrocotyle umbellata (manyflower marshpennywort)

Maianthemum canadense (Canada mayflower)

Rhynchospora colorata (starrush whitetop)

You can search for nurseries that specialize in native plants in your area in our National Suppliers Directory.

 

From the Image Gallery


Leatherleaf
Chamaedaphne calyculata

Atlantic white cedar
Chamaecyparis thyoides

Inkberry
Ilex glabra

Wax myrtle
Morella cerifera

Great laurel
Rhododendron maximum

Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon

Southern maidenhair fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris

Cherokee sedge
Carex cherokeensis

Sand spikerush
Eleocharis montevidensis

Scouring-rush horsetail
Equisetum hyemale

Manyflower marsh-pennywort
Hydrocotyle umbellata

Whitetop sedge
Rhynchospora colorata

More Water Gardens Questions

Source for Saltmarsh cordgrass from Houston
April 16, 2013 - I work for a consulting firm and we are looking to do more of our wetland creation/restoration. Do you know where one can purchased Spartina alterniflora?
view the full question and answer

Erosion prevention on shady Pennsylvania stream
July 28, 2011 - I'm looking for a few species to plant along a stream channel to help reduce erosion during heavy rains. The soil is moist and in full shade. Ferns and thorny bushes are the only current vegetation...
view the full question and answer

Poor drainage in clay soils in Langhorne PA
September 15, 2009 - Our backyard has very poor drainage, to the point of up to 3 inches of rain can sit until it is evaporated. Talking to neighbors, they informed us that there use to be a terrain that ran through our ...
view the full question and answer

Tropical-looking landscape in Austin, TX
March 24, 2005 - I'd like to have a tropical-looking landscape in my front yard. What plants would you recommend for Austin, Texas? I would prefer plants that can stay outside year-round, but will take suggestions on...
view the full question and answer

Native plants for water garden in Garland, TX
June 13, 2006 - Hello, I was interested in creating a water garden-koi pond in the landscaping and was interested to know what plants you would suggest for this usage that would be perennial? Furthermore I was intere...
view the full question and answer

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