Native Plants
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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
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Monday - February 04, 2008
From: Ocala, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Native ground cover to replace grass in Florida.
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Where can I find a list of ground covers to replace my grass. I live in the south of Ocala Florida.ANSWER:
The Native Plant Society of Florida has lists of native plants to use for landscaping in Florida. You can search by county and I believe you are in Marion County.Here are a few recommendations from their list for groundcovers that do well in Marion County, Florida:
Dyschoriste oblongifolia (oblongleaf snakeherb)
Licania michauxii (gopher apple)
Mimosa strigillosa (powderpuff)
Mitchella repens (partridgeberry)
Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle frogfruit)
Sisyrinchium angustifolium (narrowleaf blue-eyed grass)
You can also see a list of Florida Recommended native plants on our web site. Here are several recommendations from this list that would serve well as groundcovers:
Ceratiola ericoides (sand heath)
Chamaecrista nictitans ssp. nictitans (sensitive partridge pea)
Gaylussacia dumosa (dwarf huckleberry)
Also, you might consider one of the sedges, such as:
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge)
Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)
More Groundcovers Questions
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February 29, 2012 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! I noticed a question on your website recommending NC native grasses and plants to help prevent erosion on a sloping backyard, including the use of an erosion blanket. The pl...
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January 11, 2009 - I am looking for a cover ground plants that tolerate damp areas. Any suggestions?
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September 21, 2009 - What is a suitable ground cover native replacement for english ivy? Native to Maryland.
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Information about ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis)
May 06, 2008 - I recently planted some Carpobrotus edulis, Ice plant, and wanted to know if I can mulch or put stones around the entire garden and plants. They are a ground cover plant.
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