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 - 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)
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.
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