Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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

Monday - August 26, 2013

From: Columbia, MS
Region: Southeast
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Groundcover for under live oak in Mississippi
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I need a non-invasive ground cover to plant under my live oak.

ANSWER:

Here are several low-growing  plants (less than 1 ft) that will grow in part shade and/or shade and that are known to occur in Marion County or in adjacent areas.  You should read the GROWING CONDITIONS on each of the species' pages to see that they are compatible with your site for soil type and moisture.

Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)

Chrysogonum virginianum (Green and gold)

Hexastylis arifolia (Littlebrownjug)

Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry)

Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge)

Phlox divaricata (Wild blue phlox)

Phyla nodiflora (Texas frogfruit)

Smilax pumila (Sarsaparilla vine)

Viola affinis (Sand violet)

Viola pedata (Birdfoot violet)

Viola sororia (Missouri violet)

Viola walteri (Walter�s violet)

 

From the Image Gallery


Cherokee sedge
Carex cherokeensis

Green and gold
Chrysogonum virginianum

Little brown jug
Hexastylis arifolia

Partridgeberry
Mitchella repens

Allegheny spurge
Pachysandra procumbens

Wild blue phlox
Phlox divaricata

Texas frogfruit
Phyla nodiflora

Sarsaparilla vine
Smilax pumila

Sand violet
Viola affinis

Birdfoot violet
Viola pedata

Missouri violet
Viola sororia

Walter's violet
Viola walteri

More Groundcovers Questions

Groundcover for shady slope in clay soil
May 20, 2015 - I need to stop erosion on a very shady, sloping side of my house. It is cly soil. We drive our rider mower over it to get to the grassy area in our yard. What perennial ground over might work? Thank...
view the full question and answer

Source of dollarweed for shady lawn in Hillsboro TX
December 19, 2011 - I live in Hillsboro,Tx - Where can I get Dollar Weed for my shady lawn?
view the full question and answer

Low-growing plants for a slope in the shade
July 08, 2013 - Hello, I'm looking for native plants to put in the shade (within the drip-line) of a well-established American Holly. The area gets deep shade; it is also on a very gentle north-exposure slope. We ...
view the full question and answer

Native groundcover for central California
September 02, 2009 - In Modesto, CA. Hot summers, cold winters. Need a low ground cover for area next to driveway approx. 5ft X 14ft. that stays green all year round. I did have grass there but neigbors lawn is loaded wit...
view the full question and answer

Dog wallowing in damp area in garden from Great Bend KS
March 20, 2013 - I Have a wet area in my back yard that is close to my house. and off my patio there is a water hydrant,gas meter, electrical for my hot tub, my sprinkler valves and pump all there. My dog digs throug...
view the full question and answer

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