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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer

Not Yet Rated

Monday - June 08, 2015

From: Sterling, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Groundcovers
Title: Groundcovers to choke out invasive species in Virginia
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

My yard has open woods and dappled light with clay soil. Thirty years ago we removed huge briars and since English Ivy was getting in by itself, we thought we would let it come; unfortunately, it not only choked the trees but failed to choke back weeds. We have fought a successful battle with it in the past few years by mowing and pulling, but our yard backs up to public open space that is unmaintained. English Ivy is invading from the public space and garlic mustard began cropping up last year. Can you recommend a few ground-covering plants that are native to the Virginia Piedmont and will choke out the invasives?

ANSWER: