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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - November 08, 2011
From: San Pedro, CA
Region: California
Topic: Plant Lists, Groundcovers
Title: Dense groundcover for full sun on the California coast.
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Can you recommend a very dense ground cover that serves as a lawn (in full sun on the coast, pref. drought resistant)? Many thanks in advance.ANSWER:
Las Pilitas Nursery (located in Escondido and Santa Margarita, California) has a page of recommendations for "One to two foot California native plants that can be used as a groundcovers." Here are some from that list, as well as from other sources, that are native to Los Angeles County or adjacent areas:
Baccharis pilularis (Coyotebrush) normally grows 4 to 8 feet high; however, Las Pilitas has a dwarf cultivar, Baccharis pilularis var. pilularis 'Pigeon Point', that grows only 1 foot high.
Another dwarf coyotebrush cultivar, 'Twin Peaks No. 2', is described by the Theodore Payne Foundation.
Epilobium canum ssp. canum (Hummingbird trumpet) listed in Las Pilitas by its synonym, Zauschneria californica ssp. mexicana. It can be mowed to keep it at 6 inches high and it will have red flowers to attract hummingbirds in summer.
Carex texensis (Texas sedge) grows in Los Angeles County.
Artemisia californica (Coastal sagebrush). Las Pilitas has a cultivar, 'Canyon Grey' that stays about 1 foot high.
Calystegia macrostegia (Island false bindweed) is a vine that makes a fine groundcover, according to Theodore Payne Foundation.
Fragaria chiloensis (Beach strawberry) has the advantage of producing delicious fruit. The cultivar 'Aulon' is described by Theodore Payne Foundation.
Eriogonum fasciculatum (Eastern mojave buckwheat). Theodore Payne Foundation describes a lower-growing cultivar, 'Bruce Dickinson'.
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Ground cover under Spruces from West Chester PA
December 06, 2012 - Trying to get a native groundcover (or any grass/wildflower/fern) planting established under a small stand of spruces. Established stand (30+ years old), so lots of needles on ground. Just about tot...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for Plano, Texas
July 06, 2011 - 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, sprink...
view the full question and answer
Oxalis drummondii as ground cover
May 11, 2007 - We live in Austin, Texas. A sunny, dry swath of grass (originally St. Augustine) has been invaded by pink wood-sorrel (a large-leafed, mounding kind). I love the wood-sorrel, and would like to use it ...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for Austin yard
March 08, 2012 - My main goal is to cover my yard with a "grass" or groundcover that can handle the Texas heat, predicted long drought and some dog paw traffic (without going dormant/brown in the winter). I don't n...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for groundcover under Magnolia in Austin
April 09, 2009 - What plants native to the Austin, Tx area will do well underneath a large magnolia tree (instead of the English ivy that is there)?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |