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Do you have turf grass areas that are difficult to
water or mow? Do you have
shady areas where grass struggles to grow?
Is the narrow strip between the sidewalk and street an unsightly
patch of weeds? Is grass
growing along a fence a challenge to trim?
A groundcover may be just the answer for these or other trouble
spots in your landscape.
However, don’t rush out and plant just any groundcover simply
because you like it or because you find it on sale at a bargain price.
You could end up substituting one problem for another.
The first step you should take is to assess the problem area
carefully so you can select a groundcover that is appropriate for the
site. Keep in mind that some
groundcovers need sun, while others only survive in shade.
Some are the perfect choice for a dry location.
Others prefer moist soil. You
have sentenced the groundcover to a short, stress-filled life if you
plant it where its cultural needs cannot be met.
Another important consideration when selecting a groundcover is
whether it flowers. From a
design standpoint, if you choose a flowering groundcover thought should
be given to the color, size and style of the flowers.
New plantings should coordinate with the existing landscape, not
clash jarringly. Bloom time
is an additional factor. Will
the groundcover bloom in spring, summer or fall?
Some groundcovers put on a brief show during only one season.
Others bloom for several weeks.
A word of warning regarding flowering groundcovers: they attract
bees. You may not want to
use them near patios or other areas where bees could pose a problem.
Do you want a groundcover that is evergreen, or will an
herbaceous perennial that goes dormant in winter or one that dies back
to the ground suffice? Flowering
perennials provide attractive color when they are in bloom.
On the other hand, evergreens provide winter interest in the
garden. Sometimes site
requirements, such as erosion control on a slope, dictate that a
dense-rooted, evergreen groundcover be chosen.
In most cases, however, the choice is a matter of personal
preference
How large is the area to be covered?
Groundcovers vary in height from a mere inch to two or three
feet. Your selection needs
to be in scale with the site. Attractive,
low-growing groundcovers such as several kinds of Thyme (Thymus),
Turkish Veronica (Veronica liwanensis) and Creeping Phlox (Phlox
subulata) are more in scale with small spaces.
Taller groundcovers such as certain varieties of Savin Juniper (Juniperus
sabina), Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculata), and Hancock
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus ‘Hancock’) are suitable for
large areas.
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Once you have selected a groundcover that is suited to the site several
other issues will need to be addressed. A
major factor that will determine the success or failure of a groundcover is
the soil. Yards with clay soil
should be amended with organic matter such as aged compost.
Working compost into the soil improves drainage and loosens the soil,
enabling the groundcover to take root and spread more easily.
Organic matter added to sandy soil will help it retain moisture better.
Skimp on soil preparation and you’re likely to have a shabby looking
groundcover that barely spreads, allowing weeds to pop up and take over.
Weed control is a key step and can be a challenge at first.
All weeds in the area being planted as well as those in adjacent areas
should be cleared. If the area has
not been watered regularly, water it thoroughly and wait awhile to allow any seeds in the soil to germinate.
After clearing these new weeds you can plant the groundcover.
It will take a year or longer for the groundcover to fill in.
Weeding will need to be done periodically during this time.
Using a light layer of mulch can help reduce the number of weeds and
retain moisture. Once the
groundcover is established, you will need to weed only occasionally.
Another issue that must be addressed is irrigation.
When initially planted the groundcover will require frequent, deep
watering to help it develop a strong, healthy root system and to encourage
spreading. Gradually you’ll be
able to reduce how often you water. Many
groundcovers are xeric and require little water once established.
That feature makes them a good substitute for turf grass areas,
especially where watering is difficult or the water supply is limited.
Most groundcovers do not withstand traffic.
If people or pets commonly tread through the area, stepping stones or a
pathway may be necessary. Many
options are available, allowing you to choose one that fits your budget,
coordinates with the style of your landscaping, and is suited to the type of
groundcover you plan to use.
Also, you must determine if a method to confine the groundcover to the
desired location is needed. Bishop’s
Weed (Aegopodium podagraria), Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum), Sweet
Woodruff (Galium odoratum) and certain other groundcovers can be very vigorous
growers. Edging of some type may
be necessary to keep aggressive or invasive groundcovers under control.
Slow-growing, well-behaved types require no special measures.
Groundcovers aren’t perfect, but they offer real advantages when used
appropriately. If you have a
troublesome area in your yard, a groundcover may be the answer to your
problem. Certainly
it is an alternative
worth considering.
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