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
Monday - October 06, 2014
From: Tilghman, MD
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Groundcover for Critical Area Buffer Zone in Maryland
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Help RE: Maryland Critical Area Buffer Zone. Is there a low or no- mow grass native to Maryland that can be used in a Critical Area Buffer Zone. The area is Sunny/Clay. Or can you recommend a ground cover that can be walked on? All the grasses I find are very tall.ANSWER:
According to the Step-by-Step Guide Buffer Management Plans: Planting Plan and Landscape Schedule from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:
"All species in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publication entitled Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping – Chesapeake Bay Watershed are acceptable species that may be used to meet Buffer mitigation or establishment requirements."
You can see this list of plant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service at Chesapeake Bay Watershed Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping.
Two of their groundcover grasses that are recommended are:
- Danthonia spicata (Poverty oatgrass) and here is more information from New Moon Nursery.
- Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass) Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden and Plants for a Future.
Maryland's Department of Natural Resources has a list of ground covers in the article, Creating a Wild Back Yard—Ground Covers. Although the species that they mention would make an attractive native groundcover, they are not necessarily going to withstand heavy foot traffic. There are two Phlox species recommended:
- Phlox stolonifera (Creeping phlox) needs rich humus-type soils and is not likely to do well in clay, nor in full sun.
- Phlox subulata (Creeping phlox), on the other hand, does well in poor soils and in sun and part shade.
On the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's webpage the article, Sedge Lawns for Every Landscape, by John Greenlee suggests sedges as a substitute for lawn grasses. Two of the sedges he suggests that are native to Maryland are:
- Carex texensis (Texas sedge) does well in sun or part shade and grows in heavy soils such as clay. Here is more information from San Marcos Growers and Niche Gardens.
- Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) will grow in sun or part shade and in a variety of soils. Here is more information from AmericanBeautiesNatives.
Another sedge that is native to Maryland but not named in the article is Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge). It will grow in sun and part shade and a variety of soils, including clay. You can find more information and photos at Missouri Plants.
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Erosion Control in Bartlesville OK
May 10, 2012 - What kind of plants can we use to stop erosion and loss of bank on a creek that is mostly shaded? Is there any free advice/plants for people that are losing land due to water levels rising/dropping?
view the full question and answer
Benefits of Habiturf from Austin
August 19, 2013 - I have been reading about Habiturf and my question should be easy to answer. Is this is a grass you would recommend for kid play? Sitting on the lawn, kicking a soccer ball, etc.
Any information a...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for rocky slope
February 27, 2012 - My house has a very steep and very rocky slope.
We have no problems with erosion, its just very unnattractive.
There is no way to mow it whatsoever, and we live in a planned community so we can't h...
view the full question and answer
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.
view the full question and answer
Native ground cover to replace grass in Florida.
February 04, 2008 - Where can I find a list of ground covers to replace my grass. I live in the south of Ocala Florida.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |