Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
3 ratings

Saturday - October 03, 2009

From: Mooresville, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Water Gardens, Groundcovers, Shrubs
Title: Plants for wet soils in North Carolina
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I'm looking for evergreen plants (shrubs or ground cover)that will tolerate wet conditions for the zone 8 area of North Carolina. The local garden centers here do not stock these types of plants, even though much of the soil around here is prone to wetness from overflowing streams, lots of rain, topography, etc! Thank you.

ANSWER:

Here are various evergreen plants that tolerate, or require, wet soils in North Carolina:

TREES/SHRUBS:

Chamaedaphne calyculata (leatherleaf)

Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar)

Ilex glabra (inkberry)

Morella cerifera (wax myrtle)

Rhododendron maximum (great laurel)

Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry)

VARIOUS HERBACEOUS PLANTS:

Adiantum capillus-veneris (common maidenhair) is evergreen in mild winters.

Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)

Eleocharis montevidensis (sand spikerush)

Equisetum hyemale (scouringrush horsetail)

Gelsemium rankinii (Rankin's trumpetflower) and here are photos and more information.

Hydrocotyle umbellata (manyflower marshpennywort)

Maianthemum canadense (Canada mayflower)

Rhynchospora colorata (starrush whitetop)

You can search for nurseries that specialize in native plants in your area in our National Suppliers Directory.

 

From the Image Gallery


Leatherleaf
Chamaedaphne calyculata

Atlantic white cedar
Chamaecyparis thyoides

Inkberry
Ilex glabra

Wax myrtle
Morella cerifera

Great laurel
Rhododendron maximum

Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon

Southern maidenhair fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris

Cherokee sedge
Carex cherokeensis

Sand spikerush
Eleocharis montevidensis

Scouring-rush horsetail
Equisetum hyemale

Manyflower marsh-pennywort
Hydrocotyle umbellata

Whitetop sedge
Rhynchospora colorata

More Shrubs Questions

Roses being attacked by spider mites
January 18, 2008 - My roses are being eaten alive by spider mites. I read that this area of Texas has a huge problem with these devils! I've tried everything to kill them to no avail! Can you help me? Gratefully yours,...
view the full question and answer

Identification of a shrub in San Marcos, TX
May 20, 2013 - On a walk in Austin's Barton Creek greenbelt, a Treefolks volunteer identified a shrub that I also have on my property in San Marcos as blue candalia. However I can't find a plant by that name via w...
view the full question and answer

Shrubs and small trees for a slope in NY
May 21, 2012 - We are looking for a living wall made of shrubs / small trees - no more than 25' for the top of a steep creek bed. We are looking for the best erosion preventing types.
view the full question and answer

Survivability of plants after freeze
December 08, 2003 - I have many beautiful plants that froze. Some were Lantana, Hummingbird Bush, Candlestick Trees, Esperanza, Some flowers, and Marigolds. I love all of my plants and flowers and I want them to grow bac...
view the full question and answer

Further question on sprouts from holly tree in Surprise AZ
November 16, 2010 - Thank you Barbara Medford for your response to my question about the sprouting holly tree in Surprise AZ. I took for granted that the tree I was talking about was a holly tree. I looked at pictures of...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.