Native Plants
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.
rate this answer
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.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Blocking out noise from pond pump in Holly MI
April 02, 2010 - My neighbor has a motor for his pond pump that faces my backyard--it is extremely loud and irritating after listening to it for 5 hours or more. Is there any type of shrub that I can plant to block o...
view the full question and answer
Care for non-native hybrid hydrangea from Traverse City, MI
June 24, 2012 - We just planted some new Hydrangea (Summer Beauty) that we bought at a local nursery. The plants are about 3' tall with blooms on the stalks. The blooms appear to be top-heavy as most all the stalks ...
view the full question and answer
Deer Resistant Roses and Fruit Trees in NC
April 20, 2015 - Hello, I am planning a house on Lake Gaston in North Carolina (to be built) and will need to establish a new garden on the cleared lot. I would like to focus on native plants, but I love a cutting ga...
view the full question and answer
How to Overwinter Texas Sage in PA
June 12, 2015 - I live in northeast PA. I just bought a Texas sage tree. How do I care for it in the winter?
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant, shade tolerant foundation plants for Kerrville TX
March 30, 2013 - I'm looking for foundation plants for shade that are deer resistant. Tall as well as medium height.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |