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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - September 18, 2015
From: Butler, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Low Groundcovers for Pennsylvania
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
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 a pain to weed whack. Requirements : clay soil, mostly full sun, low maintenance, low growing(no higher than 2 ft or so (preferably lower), fast growing, not toxic to horses, native, I am in western pa. Thank you :))ANSWER:
Wow – That’s a bunch of requirements, but we can make some reasonable suggestions. One of my favorite sources is to use the Wildflower Centers selection of Special Collections. One of these has been specifically built for Pennsylvania.
The power of using these collections is that they can be sorted for several attributes. Within your requirements probably one of the most common that will also reduce the list is the height. Selecting 0-3 feet high – there are 40 possibilities left, which is a reasonable set to start reading. When I reviewed these – several were deleted for having poisonous parts [we can never guarantee them all!] and only a few listed clay soils as an acceptable base. You are most welcome to sort and read yourself; Here are the ones that caught my attention as fitting most of your requirements.
Interestingly, there were a few grasses that came through this inspection.
Grasses, most prefer dry sandy soils:
Bouteloua curtipendula (Sideoats grama) is the only grass that lists “clay soils”, Koeleria macrantha (Prairie junegrass) and Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie dropseed) look like they may adapt,
There were a small number of low herbs and groundcovers that accept clay soils, consider:
Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower), Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf coreopsis), Gaultheria procumbens (Eastern teaberry), Lobelia siphilitica (Great blue lobelia), Phlox divaricata (Wild blue phlox).
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Identification of pale blue flower near Big Bend, TX
March 14, 2013 - I have looked almost everywhere in order to ID this bloom with no luck. Some blooms do arrive close but not quite. I live just outside of Big Bend National Park in Terlingua, TX. On a hike into Dog Ca...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting Mexican bonebract in Floresville, TX
November 12, 2008 - My kids and I finally identified a small plant that we found growing in our pasture. There was only one and it is lovely. It is the Mexican Bonebract. What I am interested in finding out is how to tra...
view the full question and answer
Hydrilla problems in Tom Bean Lake in Mesquite, TX.
October 12, 2012 - What is the lifespan of Hydrilla in 30 acre lake at Tom Bean Tx? Does it grow spring thru summer and then hibernate thru winter ??
view the full question and answer
Need suggestions for material to build a raised bed garden
February 13, 2015 - I am starting a raised bed garden but cannot find untreated railroad ties or landscape timbers. Does anyone have a source in the Austin or Dripping Springs area? I have tried McCoys, Home Depot, Natur...
view the full question and answer
Overwintering Ruellia brittoniana in Missouri
October 03, 2015 - I live in Missouri and have five beautiful Mexican Petunia or Ruellia brittoniana planted and established in my landscaping. With winter fast approaching, I would love advise on how to winterize the p...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |