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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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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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Tuesday - July 05, 2011

From: Sugar Land, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Need suggestions for groundcover in between flagstones in patio in Sugarland, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

We are looking for a ground cover to plant in between our flagstone on our courtyard patio. The courtyard is full sun and we currently have a crushed rock-like substance in between the pieces. I thought about moss but I'm not sure if it would grow with it being so hot and dry. We also need something soft that furniture good easily sit on. Thank you.

ANSWER:


One approach is to go to our Native Plant Database and scroll down to the Combination Search Box. Select Texas under State, Herb under Habit, and Perennial  under Duration. Check Sun under Light requirement, Dry under Soil moisture, and 0-1ft under Height. Click the Submit Combination Search Button and you will get a list of 46 native species that meet these criteria. Clicking  on the scientific name of each species will bring up its NPIN page that has a description of the plant along with growth requirements and images. These aren’t all suitable for growing between flagstones, but there are some that you might like.

Here are a few that I found that may be possibilities:

Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy)

Dichondra argentea (Silver ponyfoot)

Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry)  part shade

Phyla nodiflora (Texas frogfruit)

Sedum nanifolium (Dwarf stonecrop)


The Wild Flower Center is all about flowering plants and trees, but you might find this link to mosses interesting. 

 

From the Image Gallery


Horseherb
Calyptocarpus vialis

Silver ponysfoot
Dichondra argentea

Partridgeberry
Mitchella repens

Texas frogfruit
Phyla nodiflora

Dwarf stonecrop
Sedum nanifolium

More Groundcovers Questions

What to plant between patio flagstones in Austin, TX?
May 16, 2011 - I would like to plant something between my flagstones on the patio. Something that doesn't require a lot of water, low growing, and can stand a little to moderate traffic. It is in a shade to partly...
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Low maintenance plants for crack in concrete
July 01, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I would like to grow some very low maintenance weeds, mosses and flowers out of a crack in a slab of concrete. Can you recommend any species that would do well in this sort...
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Ground cover for East Texas
October 05, 2010 - 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...
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Ground covering around cypresses in pool area
July 25, 2008 - We have multiple cypress trees planted along our pool area..they shed way too much..but I'm looking for something to put under and around them over the dirt..do you suggest wood chips or a ground cov...
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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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