Native Plants
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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.
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.
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Monday - May 25, 2009
From: Holland, IN
Region: Midwest
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Flowering groundcover for Indiana
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in southern Indiana and am looking for a nice flowering groundcover that will overcome the grass. It is on a hill that is very hard to mow.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants suggests that you visit our Recommended Species page and select Indiana from the map or the pulldown menu to find a list of more than 160 commercially available native species suitable for landscaping. You can limit that list by the particular characteristics of your site such as "Light Requirement" or "Soil Moisture" by choosing the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option on the right side of the page.Since I don't know what yours site's particular light and moisture situation is, I picked out a few plants that would serve as groundcover in part shade and dry soils. You can change those criteria to fit your site and find other plants.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)
Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf tickseed)
Echinacea purpurea (eastern purple coneflower)
Lupinus perennis (sundial lupine)
Mitchella repens (partridgeberry)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)
More Groundcovers Questions
Source for ground pine plants from Ligonier PA
December 21, 2012 - Where can I purchase "ground pine plants? I want to use them for erosion control.
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March 09, 2009 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants,
I am having a problem growing grass. I live in the Pocono mtns of Pa. my soil is not typical for this area. I have very sandy soil, probably poor quality. grass will not grow. I...
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July 30, 2010 - What are some good low growing ground cover plants for pond banks? Zone 5, mostly sun, preferably something I could start from seed? Hopefully low maintenance & non-evergreen. Perennial & hardy pre...
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Groundcover for rock garden under large oak
October 02, 2012 - I am planning a small rock garden under a large oak tree. I would like a spreading evergreen ground cover that will grow in the shade. Drought-tolerant would be preferred as I live in the high plains...
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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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