Native Plants
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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.
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Wednesday - July 06, 2011
From: Plano, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Ground cover for Plano, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Looking for perennial seeds, maximum height 6 inches. Basically, a ground cover. Flowering would be nice but not #1 on list. Medium to maximum sun. Don't have the best soil, but fertilizer, sprinkler system. Want to start indoors and plant when tough enough. Thanks in advance!ANSWER:
Here are some native plants suitable for ground cover in Collin County:
Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy) grows 6 to 12 inches, but can be mowed to 2 to 4 inches.
Phyla nodiflora (Texas frogfruit) grows 3 to 6 inches.
Dichondra carolinensis (Carolina ponysfoot) grows up to 5 inches.
Sedum nuttallianum (Yellow stonecrop) grows 2 to 4 inches.
Portulaca pilosa (Chisme) grows less than 6 inches.
Glandularia canadensis (Rose vervain) grows 5 to 10 inches.
Phlox drummondii (Annual phlox) grows 6 to 12 inches.
Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Prairie verbena) grows 6 to 12 inches.
Geum canadense (White avens) grows to 18 inches but can be mowed to 4 inches.
Packera obovata (Golden groundsel) is evergreen, grows to 18 inches but can be mowed to 3 inches.
You can search our National Suppliers Directory for nurseries and seed companies in your area that specialize in native plants.
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