GROUNDCOVERS: PROBLEM-SOLVERS FOR YOUR GARDEN’S TROUBLE SPOTS

By Sally Cogdill

          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.

            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.