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
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - June 12, 2010

From: Springfield, KY
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Plants for pool area in Kentucky
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

We live in central Kentucky and have a backyard pool that desperately needs some landscaping. I would like plants that don't drop a lot of leaves or "trash". I'd like a list of great poolside plants, ground cover, shrubs for this area. Many thanks!

ANSWER:

You can find a list of commercially available native plants suitable for landscaping on the Kentucky Recommended page.   I've picked a few from that list and added a few others that would do nicely near your pool.  Since I don't know the exact growing conditions at your site (e.g., available sun and moisture) you should read the GROWING CONDITIONS section on each species page to be sure that they fit those of your site.

LOW-GROWING PLANTS/GROUNDCOVERS:

Glandularia bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain)

Fragaria virginiana (Virginia strawberry)

Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)

Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)

Salvia lyrata (lyreleaf sage)

TALLER HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS:

Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)

Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)

Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)

Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)

SHRUBS:

Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)

Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. Johnswort)

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle)

Hydrangea arborescens (wild hydrangea)

Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel)

Here are photos from our Image Gallery:


Glandularia bipinnatifida

Fragaria virginiana

Oenothera speciosa

Phyla nodiflora

Salvia lyrata

Conoclinium coelestinum

Rudbeckia hirta

Monarda fistulosa

Phlox divaricata

Lobelia cardinalis

Comptonia peregrina

Hypericum prolificum

Morella cerifera

Hydrangea arborescens

Kalmia latifolia

 

 

More Shrubs Questions

Native deer-resistant plants for Virginia
September 26, 2012 - I live in Roanoke/Salem Virginia and want to plant a few plants native to the area along the front yard rock wall. I would prefer they be the same, deer resistant, around 5-6 feet tall max and flower...
view the full question and answer

Cenizo dropping leaves from Corpus Christi TX
February 20, 2014 - Leucophyllum frutescens:I planted a Texas sage hedge in September of 2012. One of the plants is dropping its leaves. It is situated at the corner of an L-shape at the end of drive and corner of road. ...
view the full question and answer

Damaged leaves on bottlebrush buckeye from Glen Mills PA
June 09, 2013 - My recently planted bottlebrush buckeye plants' leaves are looking damaged but it doesn't look like insect or fungus damage. They look battered by wind but I don't understand why that would happen...
view the full question and answer

Cuttings from beautyberry from Stockport OH
May 22, 2014 - My beauty berry is starting a new growth about 2ft from main plant, can I dig this and part of the root without hurting the main part, if so, when?
view the full question and answer

Screening Suggestions in Brooklyn, NY
March 08, 2013 - My neighbor directly in back of me has shrubs that are growing all over my fence. Also his 9-foot-tall shed facing me is rusted. What can I do to improve my view so that I can enjoy my backyard more?
view the full question and answer

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