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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Saturday - January 02, 2010
From: North Port, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Groundcovers for Sarasota County, Florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I would like to replace the grass in my yard with native or any other appropriate ground cover. I live in North Port, Sarasota County Florida. I would be grateful for any suggestions. Thank you in advance.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants found these groundcovers recommended by the Native Plant Society of Florida for the Sarasota County area and also in our Native Plant Database:
Dyschoriste oblongifolia (oblongleaf snakeherb)
Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)
Sesuvium portulacastrum (shoreline seapurslane)
Sisyrinchium angustifolium (narrowleaf blue-eyed grass)
Zamia pumila (coontie) and here are photos and more information
Gaylussacia dumosa (dwarf huckleberry)
Vaccinium myrsinites (shiny blueberry) and here is more information.
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Groundcovers Questions
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April 04, 2010 - We live in Eastern MA. We have a hill behind our house that was previously mulched. Slope is 45 degrees in direct sun, clay soil. We have another hill by the road side that is partially shaded with ...
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Would Habiturf or buffalograss work in Charlottesville VA
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I am looking for an alternative to traditional turf grasses. I stumbled upon some information on your site about buffalo grass and LBJWC's 'Habiturf' mix and would like to know if this w...
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Ground cover for burned acreage in Bastrop, Texas
October 31, 2011 - The fire took 2/3 of the trees on my half acre in Bastrop County. It was mostly wild. What do I plant for ground cover? Do I plant native grass seed in fall? I want to keep it native as possible. ...
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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 ...
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