Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Saturday - June 12, 2010
From: Springfield, KY
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Plants for pool area in Kentucky
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We live in central Kentucky and have a backyard pool that desperately needs some landscaping. I would like plants that don't drop a lot of leaves or "trash". I'd like a list of great poolside plants, ground cover, shrubs for this area. Many thanks!ANSWER:
You can find a list of commercially available native plants suitable for landscaping on the Kentucky Recommended page. I've picked a few from that list and added a few others that would do nicely near your pool. Since I don't know the exact growing conditions at your site (e.g., available sun and moisture) you should read the GROWING CONDITIONS section on each species page to be sure that they fit those of your site.
LOW-GROWING PLANTS/GROUNDCOVERS:
Glandularia bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain)
Fragaria virginiana (Virginia strawberry)
Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)
Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)
TALLER HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS:
Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox)
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
SHRUBS:
Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)
Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. Johnswort)
Hydrangea arborescens (wild hydrangea)
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel)
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Book about Texas native bulbs from Hillsboro TX
February 21, 2013 - Hi! I'm looking for a book about Texas native bulbs.
view the full question and answer
Plants for steep bank in Pennsylvania
July 12, 2011 - What do I do with a very steep bank with hard clay soil to stop erosion and to look nice. Is there a ground cover that would help?
view the full question and answer
How does Asclepias asperula (antelope horns) respond to fire
December 18, 2010 - From your experience with prairie burns, how does Asclepias asperula (antelope horns) respond to fire?
Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Ground cover under Juniper for San Antonio
September 14, 2012 - I have a shaded area under juniper in the Hill Country of Texas that has many sprouts from the tree. We have to weed whack it to keep them under control. What ground cover could I use to enhance tha...
view the full question and answer
Iris brevicaulis in Southwest Michigan
April 22, 2007 - We live in Kalamazoo, MI (Southwest Michigan Zone 6) and discovered last year that we have an iris brevicaulis (we think) growing (and very pretty) on our property. It has the "zig zag" stem. It see...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |