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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - July 27, 2015
From: Northville , MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Replacement for Love Grass in Michigan
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
need a replacement for Love Grass at Shops of Willow Bend in Plano. The entire perimeter of this mall has Bermuda and Love Grass. The Elms and Oaks have grown so the Love Grass is mostly gone. There is at least a mile of this so we need a plant to seed in. Carex texensis sounded perfect? But I don't think we can get it in seed? is there another option? I am a Land Arch in Michigan working with Brickman contractors..ANSWER:
A Carex species would be a very good choice for replacement of the love grass. Most of them are evergreen and do well in shade. They are usually sold as bedding plants and it is difficult to find them as seeds. However, I did find that Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona, Minnesota has seeds for a large variety of sedges. Here are a few that might do well at your site:
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) does well in shade and part shade and grows to a height of about 8 inches. Here is the description from Prairie Moon Nursery.
Another sedge, Carex sprengelii (Sprengel's sedge), has an ornamental seed head and grows well in shade and partial shade to a height of 2 feet. Here is the description from Prairie Moon Nursery.
Carex radiata (Eastern star sedge) grows well in shade and part shade to a height of 12 inches. Here is the description from Prairie Moon Nursery.
Carex eburnea (Bristleleaf sedge) grows in full sun to full shade to a height of 6 inches. Here is the description from Prairie Moon Nursery.
Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge) is evergreen grows in full sun to full shade to 2 feet high. Here is the description from Prairie Moon Nursery.
One attractive perennial grass that grows well in partial to full shade is Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats).
From the Image Gallery
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Plants for shady courtyard classroom garden in Weatherford, TX
March 27, 2007 - I am wanting to create an outdoor classroom area in the courtyard of my school. The courtyard is enclosed by all four sides and the building is two stories high. It does not receive much sunlight. Mos...
view the full question and answer
North-central Texas shrubs for part-shade
March 30, 2011 - I need a shrub that will be OK in shade (2-3 hrs a day max.), in fairly well-drained soil, will grow to around 8 ft. tall and 4-6 wide, for the region between Denton and Gainesville. If it flowers, al...
view the full question and answer
Ivy for shady wall in New York
June 25, 2009 - I live in Melville, New York. The house is adjacent to the Long Island Expressway and there is a cement sound barrier wall about 25 feet high that runs along the backyard of my 1 acre property. I ...
view the full question and answer
Illinois native grasses for shade
June 27, 2013 - Hello, my grass has died in a very shady area (standard buffalo grass), and I took this as an opportunity to plant some native grass varieties. I originally thought of buffalo grass, but learned that ...
view the full question and answer
Shrub or small tree for dappled shade in San Antonio
April 18, 2010 - I'm looking for an attractive bush or small tree that will grow in dry, dappled shade. I'd prefer one that does not form fruit-I don't want the neighborhood skunks visiting my yard.(My dog has been...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |