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Q: |
I am looking for something to plant in between my flagstones that will take
full morning sun. M., Rifle, 4/11/11 |
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A: |
Woolly thyme and other low growing thyme would be a good choice to
plant between the flagstones.
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Q: |
In Oak Creek, CO, we have
overspray next to the grass area that needs a ground cover which can
tolerate extra moisture. Sod is watered 3x weekly. Attempts to lessen
irrigation are underway but the area is still moist. Will Potentilla verna
or Ajuga handle this? Or can you recommend plants that withstands elk, deer,
critters? Thanks kindly, B. G., Oak Creek, 5/16/07 |
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A: |
Groundcovers that like moisture
include Ajuga reptans and Periwinkle (Vinca minor). They do best in
shade or partial shade. Moneywort, also known as Creeping Jenny, (Lysimachia
nummularia) is a good choice for moist locations. It grows in sun or
partial shade. Potentilla verna likes moderate amounts of water.
Unfortunately, deer will eat most kinds of groundcover.
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Q: |
I am looking for a groundcover
to fill in between flagstones on my patio. Are there any groundcovers
suited to this purpose in Colorado? M. M., Colorado Springs,
4/30/06
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A: |
There are several kinds of low-growing
groundcover that can be used between flagstones.
Turkish Veronica (Veronica liwanensis)
and some varieties of Thyme such as Woolly Thyme and Mother-of-Thyme
are good choices.
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Q: |
I am looking for the name of
the very small dark green-leafed thyme that has tiny pink flowers in
spring and tends to grow in a mat that raises a bit. I have it
growing on the south flagstone patio, and it is my favorite of all the
groundcovers I bought. Is this thyme available in a seed and can
you plant the seed outdoors between flagstone in Steamboat Springs with
any success? C. K., Steamboat Springs, 4/1/06 |
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A: |
You probably have a variety of Creeping
Thyme (Thymus serpyllum), also known as Mother-of-Thyme. Several types
have pink flowers, such as 'Pink Chintz' and 'Pink Ripple.' Because of
the short growing season it may be difficult to grow thyme from seed in
Steamboat Springs. Seed is inexpensive, so it wouldn't hurt to give it
a try. |
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Q: |
What can I plant around the shade border of my blue spruce
tree? I have this area of dead grass and it is so unsightly against my nice
lawn. N. V. R., Colorado Springs, 7/8/05 |
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You may want to replace the dead grass with
a shade-loving groundcover. Periwinkle (Vinca
minor), Creeping Oregon grape (Mahonia repens),
Lamium (Lamium maculatum) and Sweet Woodruff
(Gallium odoratum) are options. |
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Q: |
On the north facing side of my house I
have an area that grass does not grow in. I am wondering if there is a
good plant (preferably a perennial) that LOVES all shade that will grow
there along the house. I would like to have something that would need
little care. I don't know if it is the lack of sunshine or lack of
nutrients in this area, but grass just will not cover it. Can you
suggest something I can try? D. B., Denver, 5/17/05 |
| A:
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There are some
nice groundcovers that you might try for the shady area. Periwinkle (Vinca minor) and Purpleleaf Wintercreeper
(Euonymus fortunei 'Colorata') are two of my favorites.
Neither is aggressive and they stay green in winter.
Periwinkle has pretty blue flowers in May and June. |
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Q: |
I would like to find out what
kind of short ground cover I can plant that the grass will not take
over (if this exists.) The area is in full sun, about 5' long x 12". I
had periwinkle for a few years, but eventually the grass smothered it.
I am looking for something no taller then 6" in height.
Also, what is the best way to plant mint, so that it stays under
control? Thank you! T. C., Northglenn, 4/27/05 |
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If the bed where you want to
plant a ground cover is beside the lawn, try to put a barrier between
the lawn and the bed. Sink edging, bricks or another suitable
material about six inches into the soil. You might consider using
Thyme (Thymus) or Turkish Veronica (Veronica liwanensis). If you want an aggressive
grower, Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum) is an option.
To keep mint under control you can
grow it in a container or you can plant it in an inexpensive pot
with drainage and then "plant" the pot.
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Q:
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I'm looking for a low ground
cover that will grow between narrow joints in a stone path. Is there a
variety of thyme (or something else) that will prosper without additional
watering (after it is established)? There isn't a lot of soil between the
stones -- just a crushed stone base. What is the best way to divide a plant
into these narrow joints. Thanks, C. H., Fort Collins, 2/24/05 |
| A:
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Thyme (Thymus) is a
good choice for use in a stone path. It will need regular watering
until it is established and then occasional watering -- about 1/2 inch
of water per week. Pussy toes (Antennaria) is another possible
choice. Once established it needs about 1/2 inch of water every
two weeks. Soak the groundcover thoroughly when you water it to
encourage it to grow deep roots. Avoid frequent shallow
watering. You can use a sharp knife to cut the groundcover into
small pieces to insert between the stones. |
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Q:
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I would like to replace the grass around my swimming pool with some kind
of ground cover that wouldn't use much water and tolerate light foot
traffic. The area is in full sun...no shade. Rather not have flowering
ground cover from May to Sept. that would attract bees. Any suggestions???
P. W., Loveland, 2/27/03
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If the area is small, consider using an early blooming Thyme such as 'Pink
Chintz' or a Thyme that rarely flowers such as Woolly Thyme (Thymus
lanuginosus). If the area is larger than a few hundred square feet,
you might want to use Buffalograss. Buffalograss requires only a
fraction of the water that Kentucky Bluegrass needs, tolerates some foot
traffic, and needs only occasional mowing. It requires full sun.
Several high quality varieties, such as Tatanka and Cody are available.
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Q:
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Can you suggest some sort of groundcover or small hedge that I could plant
between my driveway and neighbor's fence? His fence is roughly 3' high, and I don't want the hedge to complete
obscure his fence. The biggest problem may be runoff, as the area gets
particularly muddy
during rain/snowstorms. The area also gets full-sun throughout the day.
I have approx. 2.5 feet of space between the driveway and fence. K.,
Englewood, 3/11/03
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| A:
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Some low-growing groundcovers include
these:
Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
- white flowers in June, gray foliage, 6 - 12 " tall
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) -
early spring-blooming flowers in several colors are available, 4 - 6"
tall
Thyme (Thymus) - most have flowers, 1
- 4" tall
Purple-leaf Wintercreeper (Euonymus
fortunei 'Coloratus') - leaves turn purplish in fall and winter months, 12
- 18" tall.
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Q:
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I am going to be receiving Red Sedum
for groundcover. Can I
plant them now? I have chosen bright locations under the trees in
the front
yard. I am also looking for a groundcover that will do well under a
pine tree
that would have slight sunlight during the day. Do you have any
suggestions?
Thank you. A. B., Colorado Springs, 9/3/02
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| A:
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You can plant the Red Sedum now, so
long as you can provide sufficient water. Once established, it
requires watering only occasionally. It doesn't like fertilizer.
If you have clay soil, amend it with some compost to improve drainage
prior to planting the groundcover.
Groundcovers that do well in semi-shade or shade include Periwinkle
(Vinca minor), which has blue flowers, and Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum),
which has white flowers. Both bloom in spring.
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Q:
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Hello, I have a question about what I should plant under my blue spruce
trees. I have 3 of them, all about 30-40 feet high. Our house faces the
north in the front, and one of the trees is in the front yard. We cut off
the bottom branches of that tree about 4 feet. The other 2 trees are in
the backyard, we cut those branches up to almost 6 feet, however on all
the trees the upper branches hang lower than how far we cut up underneath.
I would say all of them have full shade underneath. What can you recommend
that we plant under them? I'd like something of a ground cover that
doesn't require lots of attention.
K. S., Greeley, 6/2/02
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| A:
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Some groundcovers you might consider
are Periwinkle (Vinca minor), Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum), and
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans). Periwinkle and Sweet Woodruff do well in
shade or semi-shade. Bugleweed prefers shade. All three have
flowers.
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Q:
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I am looking for
a fast growing and hardy ground cover for a hillside. I live in Rock
Creek. Any suggestions? C.A., Superior, 6/23/00 |
| A:
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Here are a few tips to consider
before selecting and planting a groundcover.
1. Soil preparation is vital. If at all possible, add compost
and work it into the soil.
2. Weeds are likely to be a problem until the groundcover fills in.
You may want to use an herbicide such as glyphosate (Roundup or Kleenup)
prior to planting the groundcover to kill existing weeds.
3. If the area to be planted is in the sun during the afternoon or
most of the day, choose a groundcover that requires sun. If the
area gets only morning sun, select a groundcover that grows in
semi-shade. If the area gets little sun, choose a shade-loving
groundcover.
4. The groundcover's height is an important feature that you
should consider. Do you want a groundcover that is flat and
mat-like, one that is several inches high, or something that is a low,
spreading shrub?
Here are a few groundcovers:
Thyme (Thymus)
grows 1-4 inches high, blooms in summer, and prefers sun or semi-shade.
Several varieties are available.
Carpet Bugleweed (Ajuga
reptans) grows 4-8 inches high, blooms in spring, and tolerates various
light conditions.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox
subulata) grows 4-6 inches high, blooms in spring, and likes sun or
semi-shade.
Purple Iceplant (
Delosperma cooperi) grows 2-4 inches high, blooms in the summer, and
prefers a sunny location.
Stonecrop (Sedum),
depending on the variety selected, grows 2-30 inches high and flowers
sometime between May and October. It likes sun.
Juniper (Juniperus
horizontalis or sabina) is a woody evergreen that prefers sun.
Low-growing varieties include 'Bar Harbor' (6-8"), 'Blue Chip' (8-12"),'Buffalo' (12-18"), and 'Skandia'
(18-24").
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