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_43.gif)
Sunday - February 27, 2011
From: Venice, CA
Region: California
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Groundcover for Southern California near the beach
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'm in Southern California near the beach (3 miles away). I am looking for a front lawn ground cover that can stand many hours of daily direct sunlight, but will also get cool breezes off the ocean at night. Any suggestions? We do like color. Fragrance would be nice.ANSWER:
Here are some suggestions for groundcovers for sandy areas near the coast in Los Angeles County.
Fragaria chiloensis (Beach strawberry) has fragrant flowers. Here is more information.
The following sand verbenas are all fragrant and, as the name suggests, grow well in sand.
Abronia villosa (Desert sand verbena) and here is more information.
Abronia maritima (Red sand verbena) and here is more information.
Abronia umbellata (Beach sand verbena) and here is more information.
Abronia latifolia (Coastal sand verbena) is the only yellow sand verbena. Here is more information. This grows a little north of Los Angeles County, but it might also do well there. Check with a local nursery that specializes in native plants. You can find nurseries in your area that specialize in native plants by searching our National Suppliers Directory.
Oenothera californica (California primrose) is fragrant and grows well in sand.
The following gumweed is not fragrant but is attractive, nonetheless: Grindelia stricta (Oregon gumweed) and here is more information.
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Groundcovers Questions
Lawn for a Shady & Wet area in Austin, TX
July 22, 2015 - We have a drainage area that has appeared in our back yard since the neighbors’ homes were built. When we get heavy rains (like this year) all their drainage flows into our back yard and forms a river...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen ground covers and low plants for Dallas area
May 25, 2010 - Would like a list of low growing (24" or less) evergreen plants including ground covers, scrubs, etc-flowering and non-flowering that are hardy and require low maintenance in the Dallas area. So ofte...
view the full question and answer
Late Blooming Wildflowers for Round Rock
August 06, 2014 - I thought this would be a previously answered question but found nothing in the data base. My question is: in Central Texas what can be grown for some color or interest in a wildflower area when the w...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover called Jumping Jacks
August 19, 2009 - My neighbor has a beautiful ground cover and she doesn't know the name and I have searched the nurseries and internet and can not find it. She says it spreads like crazy and when she was young they c...
view the full question and answer
Dying non-native St. Augustine grass from Austin
May 02, 2013 - Although we all know St. Augustine grass is not a good thing, I am stuck with it and am trying to save areas that appear to have take-all fungus. I have done much reading online and have tried peat m...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |