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
Tuesday - October 05, 2010
From: LaRue, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Ground cover for East Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Thank you for your response to (Hamelia), it was very helpful. I recently moved to East Texas and I live in a rural area at altitude 754ft with a sloping landscape with good drainage. My property is mostly wooded but I also have a good deal of sun. I am interested in a native ground cover that is drought tolerant and one that will not get out of control. I have no way to ‘border’ the ground cover so it must grow enough to cover but not take over. Any suggestions?ANSWER:
Here are some candidates for ground covers that are native to Henderson County or adjacent counties. There is a mix of shade and sun plants.
Geum canadense (White avens) grows in shade and part shade and is evergreen if watered in the summer. The Wasowskis in Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region say that this plant can be mowed to 4 inches.
Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry) is evergreen and grows in shade and part shade to less than four inches.
Oenothera speciosa (Pink evening primrose) grows in sun and part shade and is almost evergreen, but it may go dormant in summer.
Phyla nodiflora (Texas frogfruit) is almost evergreen but can go dormant in winter. It grows in sun, part shade and shade.
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) is evergreen and grows in the shade to one or two feet.
Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf sage) is evergreen and grows in sun, part shade and shade to one to two feet, but can be mowed to four inches.
Packera obovata (Golden groundsel) is evergreen and grows in shade and part shade. It grows to two feet but can be mowed to 3 inches.
Glandularia bipinnatifida (Purple prairie verbena) is evergreen and grows to 10 inches in sun, part shade, and shade.
More Groundcovers Questions
Low-growing plant for grave in boggy Newfoundland
May 30, 2008 - I am looking for any suggestions on what type of plant I can plant on a grave. It is very boggy (peat)land. I want something that is hardy & not too tall. We have about 8 weeks of summer, July & Augus...
view the full question and answer
Locating free tumbled glass for mulch in Austin
October 31, 2008 - Do you know where tumbled glass can be obtained for free in Austin? You've used it as a mulch at the Center. Someone in one of my Native U classes mentioned that it can be gotten free somewhere in ...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover or grass for Panama City, Florida
April 19, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants
I live in Panama City Florida and am having great difficulty growing a lawn. I would prefer no lawn as grass, it seems a pointless use of resources but my husband requires gr...
view the full question and answer
Plants for a steep bank in Virginia
June 23, 2009 - I have a small yard with a 3 foot steep bank that I want to plant on. I am looking for fast growing ground cover. There is some shade but not a lot and has a southern exposure. Ground is a bit roug...
view the full question and answer
Phytoremediation using Paspalum vaginatum
February 06, 2015 - Do you know of any on-going research using Paspalum vaginatum as the prime plant (monoculture) for use in phytoremediation.
Utilizing this plant in Vegetated Swales, Spreader Swales, Grassy Swales,...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |