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
Wednesday - July 02, 2014
From: Albany, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Groundcovers, Shade Tolerant
Title: Groundcover for part shade in Albany NY
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hello! I'm looking for: a native ground cover, mostly shade with only some morning sun, on a slope, edible is preferred but not necessity, mostly clay type soil for the Albany, NY area. Thanks for your help!ANSWER:
The following are native plants that grow in Albany County, New York or an adjacent county and would make good groundcovers:
Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge) Here is more information from Evergreen Native Plant Database.
Fragaria virginiana (Virginia strawberry) is edible. Here is more information from Illinois Wildflowers.
Lycopodium digitatum (Fan clubmoss) Here is more information from Plants of Southern New Jersey.
Phlox divaricata (Wild blue phlox) Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.
Potentilla simplex (Common cinquefoil) is edible. Here is more information from Alternative Nature Online Herbal.
Rubus pubescens (Dwarf red blackberry) is edible but needs moisture to grow well. Here is more information from Northern Ontario Plant Database.
Sedum ternatum (Woodland stonecrop) Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Native moss to fill in between flagstones
April 21, 2008 - I live in Houston and have a long, narrow flagstone path that runs along the east side of the house. I am looking for a native moss that can fill in between the flagstones and will tolerate morning su...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for Boston MA
March 12, 2013 - We have a small back yard that gets great sun in spring before the leaves are fully back on the tall trees surrounding the perimeter, and then a lot of shade in summer. We have weird patchy grass and ...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for vineyard from Round Rock, TX
February 04, 2013 - I will be planting a vineyard in the Hill Country next spring. I am looking to maintain low-growing understory plants across the entire vineyard to maintain soil health, choosing plants that the leaf...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover Planting in Shiro TX
July 09, 2015 - I have been collecting seeds from White Avens and Texas Sedge to use as ground covers. What is the optimal time to plant these seeds? We have been experiencing heavy rains in our area lately, so I am ...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for partly sunny, wet area in Cypress, TX
March 19, 2007 - I am in need of a ground cover to plant in an area close to our entryway. The area is shady to partly sunny, holds water in rainy weather, and has a shrub border. We are in Texas. Any ideas? Thank...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |