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.
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Saturday - January 02, 2010
From: North Port, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Groundcovers for Sarasota County, Florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I would like to replace the grass in my yard with native or any other appropriate ground cover. I live in North Port, Sarasota County Florida. I would be grateful for any suggestions. Thank you in advance.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants found these groundcovers recommended by the Native Plant Society of Florida for the Sarasota County area and also in our Native Plant Database:
Dyschoriste oblongifolia (oblongleaf snakeherb)
Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)
Sesuvium portulacastrum (shoreline seapurslane)
Sisyrinchium angustifolium (narrowleaf blue-eyed grass)
Zamia pumila (coontie) and here are photos and more information
Gaylussacia dumosa (dwarf huckleberry)
Vaccinium myrsinites (shiny blueberry) and here is more information.
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Groundcovers Questions
Ground cover for roadside in Elk Rapids MI
July 13, 2010 - Elk Rapids, MI (Lake Michigan, East Grand Traverse Bay)
Greetings –
We are looking for a native ground cover that will cover an area along a roadside, about 100 feet from the Lake Michigan shorelin...
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Non-toxic Groundcover for North-Central Texas
April 07, 2011 - I need a creeping ground cover for shade that is non-toxic to dogs. I had planned on Swedish ivy until I read it was toxic. Is Asian jasmine toxic? Or, do you have any suggestions?
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Groundcovers over roots in Roeland Park KS
June 18, 2013 - Large Hackberry tree (aprox 50+years) roots are popping up above ground making mowing under/around it impossible. Is there a plant, ground cover, something I can plant, or cover the roots with that w...
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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.
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Restoring the woods in Central Austin.
May 08, 2012 - I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun...
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