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
Tuesday - November 24, 2009
From: Chatham, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Ground cover for New York sloped area
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'm looking for native ground covers (vines?) for steep, heavy shale sloped areas as well as a ground cover in gently sloped area, preferably not higher than 6 inches. All that I've found is non-native to this area. Thank you.ANSWER:
Here are some low-growing woody plants native to your area that would make a good ground cover under the conditions you describe. I don't, however, know what your amount of sunight is. You will need to check the "Growing Conditions" given for each species against the conditions at your site.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)
Rubus pubescens (dwarf red blackberry) and more information with photos
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)
Cornus canadensis (bunchberry dogwood)
Empetrum nigrum (black crowberry)
Gaultheria procumbens (eastern teaberry)
Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry)
Grasses and/or sedges would also work well on slopes and are very effective in controlling erosion since their fibrous root systems hold the soil very well. Their drawback, however, is that most are taller than 6 inches. Here are a few of the shorter ones you might consider:
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge)
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge)
Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill)
Deschampsia cespitosa (tufted hairgrass)
Eragrostis spectabilis (purple lovegrass)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
More Groundcovers Questions
Low ground cover for steep bank in Ohio
September 02, 2008 - We have a 3/4 acre pond that has several places along the bank too steep to mow. We would like to plant some type of ground cover in those areas that would keep the weeds out. The planting would need ...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen groundcovers for NE NC
April 20, 2015 - Can you please provide a list of evergreen native groundcovers for Northeastern NC?
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for East Texas
November 07, 2010 - I live in the country of east Texas and wish to grow native ground covers around my house and property. I have no way to control this growth, as I have no fences or borders. I have sandy soil and th...
view the full question and answer
Ground covers for play area in Plano, TX
April 14, 2007 - Is there a ground cover that would work under and around a swing in our front yard in Plano, Texas. It would get morning sun and dappled shade from a trimmed live oak in the afternoon. It would need t...
view the full question and answer
Low Groundcovers for Pennsylvania
September 18, 2015 - Hi Mr Smarty Plants, I'm looking for a low growing grass or ground cover for an area that is between my neighbors horse fence and mine it is about 2 feet wide 30 ft long. It is impossible to mow and ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |