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

Wednesday - September 11, 2013
From: Neptune Beach , FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Groundcovers, Shade Tolerant
Title: Salt-tolerant groundcover for shade with no water supply
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We have a home in Neptune Beach (Jacksonville) Florida (NE Florida). We have a large area outside our ground floor master bedroom that is completely covered (there is a large solid deck above it). It has total shade and no watering system. Right now it is just dirt. We would like to be able to make it look more inviting and beautiful. Instead of using pavers or stones, can we use a ground cover and/or plantings? Is that possible? If so, what would you suggest that would thrive? We are also 2 houses from the ocean so the plantings would need to be somewhat salt resistant? Any help would be greatly appreciated to make this area attractive and welcoming. Best Regards, PamANSWER:
That's really a triple whammy—salt tolerant, no moisture and completely shaded! I could find you lots of beach groundcover (salt tolerant) that grow well in full sun, but plants that thrive in full shade is the hard part! Here, however, are a few that could work.
- Phyla nodiflora (Texas frogfruit) grows well in part shade and sun. Here is more information from Florida Native Plant Society.
- Salvia coccinea (Scarlet sage) grows in shade, part shade and sun. Here's more information from the Florida Native Plant Society.
- Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny spurge) is evergreen and grows in shade and part shade. Here is more information from Floridata and Missouri Botanical Garden. The Growing Place says that it is able to handle "environmental salt".
- Pteridium aquilinum (Western bracken fern) grows in shade or part shade. Here is more information from Floridata. It is listed as NOT salt tolerant by the Florida Native Plant Society.
There are two evergreen vines that are moderately salt tolerant and will function as groundcovers.
- Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jessamine) grows in part shade and sun. Here is more information from Floridata and Florida Native Plant Society. It is listed as moderately salt tolerant by University of Georgia Marine Extension Service CoastScapes.
- Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle) grows in part shade and sun and is listed as moderately salt tolerant by University of Georgia Marine Extension Service CoastScapes.
If you would like to put some small shrubs under your deck, Morella cerifera [synonym = Myrica cerifera] (Wax myrtle) is listed by University of Georgia Marine Extension Service CoastScapes as being highly salt tolerant. There are dwarf cultivars available and they will do well in part shade.
All of the plants above will grow in relatively dry conditions, but they are going to need frequent watering to become established. You could do this by hand or with water sprinklers attached to hoses.
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Turf grass for part-time home from Louisville KY
April 28, 2012 - We have a small yard at a remote location with cistern water, and need a turf grass for a yard, clay soil, which I am willing to amend. It will receive sporadic attention as my husband and I do not l...
view the full question and answer
Destruction of Straggler Daisy in Austin
December 18, 2011 - I hate Straggler Daisy. Not to be offensive, but it appears from other posts on this site that you, Mr. Smarty Plants, and many others would like to treat it as a protected species. It is taking over ...
view the full question and answer
Drought-resistant ground cover for Massachusetts
July 11, 2012 - Mr Smarty Plants
I am looking for drought resistant,low maintenance ground cover for a LEED certified project in Florence MA.
Any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for sunny yard in New Jersey
July 23, 2008 - Hi. I'm looking for ground cover for a mostly sunny section of my yard. The ground we are looking to cover is next to a slight hill with in a few feet of an in ground pool. I would like something tha...
view the full question and answer
Plants for a sandy slope at a weekend cabin in central WI.
June 30, 2009 - I have a cabin in central Wisconsin where the soil is equivalent to a sandy beach. There are some areas that are nearly impossible to mow because of how steep the incline is. Could you recommend som...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |