I live on a corner lot that neighboring dog walkers use too often. I'm looking for something that would completely take over a bed, and so far the creeping thyme sounds like a great match. Yet the etymology of oxalis has nothing to do with an ox. Two ground covers that come to mind for part-sun situations are dwarf periwinkle (Vinca minor) and Serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana), both of which have blue flowers. You may have to divide the ground cover, too, and if you don't like the little flower stems that stick up after blooming, you'd have to trim them off. Question: Are these ground covers all okay to step on and soft enough for bare feet? Ground cover is really supposed to serve as a demure, understated underplanting to more important perennials, shrubs and trees. Running postman (Kennedia prostrata) is also drought tolerant, and creeps across the ground, forming a mat up to 2m wide. GreenStrides: Great Native Ground Covers. I have been researching ground covers to fill in the empty spaces between plants in my perennial gardens. Invasive plant species are stubborn and tough to get rid of, and many of them already live in your garden soil and are just waiting for fertilizer and water to make them sprout. If you want even more color, you could use daylilies, too. Best! Thanks for sharing. Many plants are low-growing and spreading in habit and may be termed ground-cover, but the prime requisite of a good ground cover plant is to provide a rapid, dense cover, to suppress germination and development of weed seeds and to eliminate the need for weed control measures. Sometimes sedum and ice move on me. Perennials for ground covers are not usually the herbaceous types that die down in winter, but rather evergreen types, woody sub-shrubs and those with winter persistent foliage. Answer: It varies by county. I’m looking for fast spreading groundcover that will grow effectively around the edge of a pond and choke out all weeds up to waters edge. Or perhaps your landscape suffers from boggy patches marred by bald spots and scraggly weeds. When that happens, I take small chunks of established plants and plant them in the bare patches, then water them well. Plants have a way of doing that! In full-sun, dry areas, Phlox subulata forms a thick, pretty carpet that keeps weeds at bay. This article has provided you with excellent choices ranging from 1 to 15, fast-growing ground covers for slopes. Low growing, non invasive, non vining ground cover. H. Zell via Wikimedia Commons, CC SA-BY 3.0. People with their 16-20 ft leashes are a nuisance and I am constantly dealing with poop and urine stains. Question: I am in zone 3b/4a (Lindstrom MN). Thanks so much! I currently have hostas, lillies, and a few other plants, along wih a ground.cover that has a bloom that looks like blue bells. Any suggestions. Although it dies back in the winter, its fresh, delicate leaves are worth the winter wait. Mazus or creeping jenny would work well around your lilies. It's a good looking plant, even when it's not blooming. i have a sloping large lot (29thousand sq.feet)zone 8 , what would work best in sandy soil and 2hour watering times. My home faces the North and I have plenty of weeds...I keep them mowed to save face...but weeding the entire yard wood leave me with sand. Mazus reptans, commonly called mazus, is another low-maintenance perennial ground cover. Low growing ground hugging plants work nicely with taller woody perennials, ornamental grasses, and low growing shrubs. I was thinking Vinca or a hardy Phlox as we need fast growing. Recent Posts. I got one to take but it barely covers the 10 inch spot. (Major drought last year - ceaseless rain now). For shady, moist spots, try Phlox stolonifera for weed suppression. Hostas are some of the most effective ground covers you can grow and more than 90 have been awarded AGMs. Since all the plants described in this article spread rather quickly, plant 2- to 3-inch seedlings or divisions on 6-inch centers. Some will grow to around knee- or hip--high, others will lie low and hug the ground. My house in Lake Arrowhead, CA is taken over by weeds. Full/Partial sun. I doubt any groundcover would harm your oak unless it is already on its last legs, but why don't you use landscaping fabric or heavy cardboard over the weeds and mulch underneath the oak to the drip line? Question: Are any of these plants deer resistant? I have an area in front of my deck that will occasionally hold water if we have a lot of rain. Answer: Could it be phlox? Pshaw! Jill Spencer (author) from United States on April 06, 2018: Hi Scott, weeds around your roses will attract pests. Non-invasive plant varieties. It has needle-like evergreen leaves that form a dense mat to effectively suppress weeds. Visitng Sherman Gardens is like spending time in a great museum. Thank you. I live in zone 5. Ground covers are easy to establish and can be very easy to manage. Jill likes cooking, writing, painting, & stewardship, and studies gardening through MD Master Gardener & Master Naturalist programs. Most of the thyme is dead. Well it is almost time to think of gardening again. If i don't mow, the frog fruit looks great but weeds take over. One is baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) and the other is dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus “Nana”). These plants will survive under the required growing conditions with minimal maintenance and supervision on your part. Howard Garrett presents Healthy Living Commentary, Natural Organic advice from The Dirt Doctor, himself. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Categories Landscape Design Tags erosion control, groundcovers, hillsides, planting on … However, after seeing them used very effectively at the Proven Winners Garden tour on Mackinac island last August, I am amending the list. I'm in Zone 8. I do not care it it is flowering or not. If you really want to know, take a photo of it with your phone and send the picture to https://ask.extension.org/ask, Hi, i have a flower bed that is constantly overgrown with weeds. I have been trying to choose some groundcovers for 3 areas - and I have been studying the ones you listed. . http://extension.msstate.edu/vegetable-gardening-m... http://www.cnps.org/cnps/grownative/tips/lawn_alte... https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/... http://extension.missouri.edu/main/aae.aspx. Low maintenance, sandy soil. Ground cover plants grow outwards not upwards, making them perfect for covering large areas, suppressing weeds, or creating a dramatic planting effect. I have read again and again about creating thyme fast groth but I have no success with it I have a big front lawn that I want to convert to no grass lawn. Thank you so much! What service each of these plants does perform, however, is that where they do grow, they grow tightly, making it less likely you'll have to weed. Best,Jill. Others are ideal for preventing soil erosion and weed control. One of the most popular plants for part-sun, part-shade situations is star jasmine. The tallest mentioned here is Phlox stolonifera, which is 12" at its tallest. Question: Can I combine Jenny with Phlox to replace areas where grass will not grow well for a mix of plants? Answer: Here's the web address for the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on September 26, 2016: Mona, you might want to use a green manure crop, which you grow until just before it blooms and then till into the soil to increase soil fertility. These shade-loving ground covers are good for the environment and say something about where you are. Ground-cover plantings are relatively easy to establish, whether you use seedlings, divisions, or rooted cuttings. Ground cover plants offer a low-maintenance alternative to the carpets of lawn to which we have become accustomed. None of the plants mentioned above needs mowing. You might like Mimulus aurantiacus (bush monkey flower). Ground cover plants are the most accessible means to add an ornamental look and variety of color to your garden or lawn without much work. The water pours out of the mountain and from what I can see on the Highlands Water Preservation it is the headwater to the stream. Can you advise any drought tolerant flowering ground cover for my yard, please? GARDENING GUIDES 5 Best-Behaved Trees to Grace a Patio. Even so, you'll probably find that one of the ground covers you plant becomes dominate. My trees are now full of fruit and I guess the squirrels have gone to a neighbor’s house.”. Are there any ground covers that would work to keep weeds at bay but allow vegetables to grow in gardens? I have been researching ground covers to fill in the empty spaces between plants in my perennial gardens. Conversely, if they are so Browse our list of non-invasive alternative varieties. Question: Which low-maintenance groundcover can stand full sun AND be planted in a bed with perennials such as daylilies, iris, black-eyed Susan, and such? What do you think? Such plants are usually evergreens or have densely twiggy growth. Here's an article about them from Mother Earth News: https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/... Hi, enjoyed the article !! Very shady, drought can be an issue in CA. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on July 04, 2017: Paddy M, lots of herbs are distasteful to rabbits, including thyme and Greek oregano, both of which I use as a groundcover. Unlike the dwarf periwinkle and the bellflower, star jasmine will not allow more delicate perennials – especially those in the 1- to 3-foot tall range – to grow in its midst; it should only be planted as a complement to woody shrubs and trees. Non-invasive native ground cover suggestions please May 2016 I'm trying to I courage more wild birds into our acerage by growing flowering natives to our bird sanctuary area,but I need some ideas in NON invasive native ground overs. To find your exact zone, go to https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/. I live is southern Pennsylvania. I'm talking way too much! Or plant it by walls, along borders, and in other areas that are difficult to weed. Phlox subulata cultivars come in a variety of flower colors, including white, blue, red, and pink. Question: Can you mix different ground covers together? thanks. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on April 25, 2017: I'm sending you a link to the CA native plant society website. Mazus works best in shade, but some cultivars of creeping phlox will also work. Use pachysandra to cover deeply shaded ground. In addition to making your garden look good, it also helps it out. Melissa has no green thump on August 20, 2016: I live near Republic, MO and we have a lot of weeds and the front of my house has big bushes I want to pull out, because they just collect a lot of leaves from our 30 trees we have on our 5 acres. Big enough for shade but small enough for easy care, these amiable trees mind their manners in … Many thanks. Happy you stopped by, MysteryPlanet, and good luck with your gardening project. All the best, Jill. It’s also one of the toughest and, unlike some hostas, is widely available and not expensive. Also, epimedium. I live in Zone 9a, Marion county Fl. I just don't want to create a battle where I have to trim it back all the time. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on May 09, 2011: thanks, we were just talking about a problem area in our yard and you may have solved the problem. I love the creeping thyme. Our neighbor has a steep slope that is weeds. I tried planting. Many thrive in shade or where lawns will not grow. You might consider putting down cardboard over the grassy areas and then topping it with about two inches of mulch, then planting a thick-locking groundcover like thyme or sedum Angelica in the in-between areas. Flowers would be nice but not essential. My problem is that it seems to be cultivating more weeds because the sedum doesn't seem to grow really thick. Wild-harvested is always best, but if you must plant it, the only responsible choice is the non-invasive sterile variety ‘Woerneri’. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on September 04, 2019: Hi, Kathy. David Beaulieu You can plant this drought-tolerant, low-maintenance ground cover at the edge of a rock garden or other space and more or less forget about it (except for occasional watering) during the summertime. After an hour or so, you reach a saturation point and sigh, “There are just too many treasures to absorb in a single visit. Good luck! I am up tonight ordering the last few plants for this project (#3 above) because a good clearance is ending! I discovered it deters the squirrels because of the shiny metal and movement. Two ground covers that come to mind for part-sun situations are dwarf periwinkle (Vinca minor) and Serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana), both of which have blue flowers. A cultivar of the succulent Sedum spurium, dragon's blood ('Schorbuser Blut') is hardy in Zones 3-8. Voted up. I don't think of grass as being particularly thick as it has a short root system and is not particularly good about absorbing water-- sort of like a thin towel. Perennials for ground covers are not usually the herbaceous types that die down in winter, but rather evergreen types, woody sub-shrubs and those with winter persistent foliage. . It meant a lot. This is the only non-living ground cover that gives you the look and feel of lush, green grass without the required irrigation that makes natural grass lawns a poor choice during times of drought. Voted up and useful: I've been looking for some weed-choking ground cover, and here you supply the very ideas I need! Also, expect one of the plants to dominate, as one will probably love the light and soil conditions better than the other. Answer: That would be lovely. Can you suggest a ground cover for a large, steep sloped area that doesn’t require planting, just sprinkling i.e. If plants are not vigorous enough to be a garden-worthy groundcover, they will be replaced with a different species. Not only does it grow in full sun as well as partial shade, but it also thrives in poor soil. We have a pond with steep slopes of varying quality soil. Hardy Ground Cover Plants Where do you live, when did you sow, what process did you use, and how did you care for the seeds after sowing? There are a variety of succulent plants that do well as ground covers in full sun to semi-shaded exposures. Except re-sodding, and if I have to do that..I might just cement it! Tell me your general geographical location, and I'll try to come up with some drought-tolerant groundcovers for you. Good luck to you! We want something that is nearly no maintenance (it is a large pong) and will keep out the weeds. Updated October 17, 2020. Jill. I live in Alpharetta, GA and I’m looking for plant to go on a berm with full sun. Vinca major is aggressive; rooted cuttings spaced at 6 inches cover an area within a year. Answer: Hi, I don't have any experience growing gardenias, so I'm including links to two articles you might find helpful: https://discover.hubpages.com/living/howtogrowgard... AND https://dengarden.com/gardening/Gardenia-Problems. Thursday, 23 January, 2020 at 8:09 am . It really, really chokes out the weeds, forming a thick mat. Answer: Gardeners do use ground covers like a mulch, to hold moisture and prevent erosion. I live in zone 6 (Northern Idaho). They're valuable for banks and slopes where they help retain soil and rainfall. * It thrives in wet areas. Generally, ground cover plants are planted at the front of borders creating a carpet that leads up to the path or lawn, with medium plants behind and larger shrubs and plants at the back. Once you select an area to plant, prepare the soil in advance. Doone Valley grows to 5cm in height, has a feint lemon scent and features green and gold leaves with a purple flower. It looked nice at first but now weeds have taken over and the yard looks awful. It works well as a low border or ornamental ground cover. Where gazania and rosea ice plant may have once flourished when trees were small, there is not enough light later on to sustain such ground covers, much less bring out their flowers. Beach strawberry grows fairly flat on the ground, with shiny green leaves and red stems year round. It is steep, dry, gets a lot of sun midday. The 'home fires' variety is a fragrant cultivar with hot pink blooms. Hi everyone! I have slope areas to cover, and would love to see more options, particularly plants that get along with minimal to no care aside from watering. Read about the best flowering ground covers … Cotoneasters are popular garden shrubs and come in a range of forms and varieties. Non-Invasive, Native ... oval, dark green leaves on arching, 2- to 4-foot-tall stems that sucker into thickets. In mild climates, it remains green year … Ground covers are both decorative and problem solvers. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on August 03, 2015: Hi "Leafy Splurge." Good luck! --DF, Believe it or not I was looking for just this information. I'm not sure if Outside Pride, Seeds Needs, or Southern Exposure have the particular seeds you want, but I've had good experiences in purchasing from all three, particularly the last. Your email address will not be published. It is less likely to become invasive in full sun. We are looking for a vigorous ground cover to overcome grass that has taken over in our perennial beds. Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) and larkspur (Consolida ajacis) are also easily grown from seed. We have a hill behind our home that is mostly composed of weeds. display are ground-hugging species such as Rose Verbena ( Glandularia canadensis ), which scrambles across the ground, rooting at its nodes and the native strawberry ( Fragraria virginiana ) that sends out underground runners, as well as False Rue Anemone (Isopyrum biternatum ) and Wild Ginger ( Asarum canadense ), both of which can form large colonies in the right conditions. Creeping Jenny covers large areas quickly, putting out roots all along its stems and choking out weeds. We had an area to get filled in recently and I need a good ground cover to plant in the area, Talking too much? Answer: I would not recommend Vinca minor or Vinca major if the area is near a natural area as both are aggressive growers and invasive. The groundcover display gardens will constantly be evolving. I was needing something like this. Jerzy Opioła via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Others are ideal for preventing soil erosion and weed control. Answer: I don’t know. We have permission to treat it as our own to stop the ugly weed growth. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on July 02, 2013: Thanks, Patricia. Thanks for stopping by! Jill Spencer (author) from United States on January 11, 2018: Red creeping thyme will grow out of the bed, but . I really like the creeping phlox, will give this a try in my front yard. When the weather's hot, keep mazus moist. I also like to use mint species for ground cover. They can be annuals, trailing climbers, herbaceous perennials, strappy-leafed plants, ferns, grasses and even edible plants. I want to avoid landscape fabric because it doesn't work well from my experience. Will this bother the rose? Phlox subulata would also be a good choice (Zones 3-9). Ground cover plants offer a low-maintenance alternative to the carpets of lawn to which we have become accustomed. Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:45 pm. This plant offers rich, dark jade foliage and little clusters of white flowers. My kids keep insisting on weeding the places that have no plants in them. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on September 25, 2017: Awesome, Amy. Thanks for stopping by. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on July 06, 2018: Ooh, Ruth, that's a type I've never grown. So my question, is there anything could I plant that wouldn’t choke out the natural beauty but still cover the slope and choke out the weeds? Own Herby, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Vincas tolerate clay and sun exposure. Answer: Creeping Jenny might be a problem if it likes the area and you don't buy a cultivar that's slow growing. They're valuable for … Pachysandra will take a few seasons to establish but once at home will thrive on neglect. I like that! here's the link: http://extension.missouri.edu/main/aae.aspx. Question: What zone would Northern Mississippi be? I'm glad the article was helpful and wish you much success as you experiment. Reply. Although the others flower, they don't produce stand-out blooms. It even makes a great spiller in mixed container gardens. Now: any additional suggestions besides Dragon's Blood for poor soil in dry, sunny spots? Ground covers definitely have their place in the landscape, but they need room to roam. It loves full sun, it's drought-tolerant, and it isn't picky about soil quality. I’m in MN; great seeing cold-hardy beautiful ground covers. Plant it and ignore it: The plant is about as low-maintenance as you get. Common invasive ground covers (periwinkle, English ivy and goutweed) are found throughout various areas of North America. It blooms a long time and looks interesting in the winter, too, if you don't cut back the flowers. I'd like to do so with some variety since there's a lot of (ha!) The problem might be compaction. I have a pollinator garden in Florida. The inside-out flower is a forest floor favorite. Do any of the others have that quality? Each grows thickly, choking out weeds as it spreads. This is much easier for them, but makes overall maintenance harder for me. I was thinking creeping thyme or mavus bc sunny, and will get water some when I water the roses - or I CAN water it. There is a certain plant that has remarkable strength. I have had it as mixed ground cover in front of my house for years and it was just breath taking many springs and falls as well. Question: Can you tell me what ground cover begins with a p? For pure shade situations, there are two ground covers, in particular, that deserve attention. It is an area about 140 feet long and about 55 feet wide from the back of the house to the back property line. In spring, it produces bright green leaves that turn maroon as temperatures drop. We live very rural and the slope leads into a grassy gulley on the north and woodland on the east. This plant offers rich, dark jade foliage and little clusters of white flowers. Also, are you watering the new plants each morning? Creeping, clumping, or trailing plants are good landscaping solutions that generally require little maintenance. Non-invasive native ground cover suggestions please May 2016 I'm trying to I courage more wild birds into our acerage by growing flowering natives to our bird sanctuary area,but I need some ideas in NON invasive native ground overs. I'm definitely going to try the dragon's blood sedum. Why nurseries recommend it: For fast-growing shade and privacy, as a ground cover, or for its edible blossoms. Although it looks delicate, phlox is extremely rugged, and it grows easily in shaded and full-sun areas. Red creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum coccineus ) is a heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant ground cover that grows in zones 3 to 9. that is excellent at breeding waves of weeds. JIll. I love creeping thyme and have some near a rose bush. Red creeping thyme grows close to the ground, creating a mat that leaves no room for weeds. I've used Creeping Jenny before around the house, and it grows very nicely and I never have weeds around it. Answer: Some ice plants are hardy in Zones 9-11. I think that's true with any groundcover unless it's an invasive plant, and then you'd have another sort of weeding to do! When they do their job they prevent erosion and weeds. No matter which variety you grow, pollinators will be drawn to its broad flower heads. Answer: It's 9a, 10a, or 10b, depending on your zip code. All the best, Jill. When flowering, it can reach up to 12 inches high. Anonymous: Anonymous wrote: Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for a shade loving ground cover that will keep grass from my adjacent lawn from spreading to the mulch. Answer: Phlox borealis (Arctic Phlox) might be a good choice. 4. Benson Kua via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Can you recommend a nice looking and colorful covering that does not require much work to apply? They set back my spirea. There are many to choose from – basically any plant that will hug the soil leaving very little bare soil exposed can be classed as a ground cover, whether it’s a herb, perennial or a low-growing shrub. Hardy phlox is both hardy and long-lived, and will give you a gorgeous show once it's established. prefers part shade but will grow in full sun, in some conditions, it will bloom spring through fall, needle-like evergreen leaves form a dense mat to suppress weeds, fairly quick growing; heat-tolerant and deer-resistant; grows like a tightly-knit mat, hardiest and most versatile; thrives in poor soil. Hope it works for you! I find that ice plants "travel" on me too. If you are looking for ground covers for zone 8, read on for a short list of great suggestions. We'd love beautiful flowers too. Hope the phlox works for you. Answer: Any of these will grow in full sun; however, creeping Jenny, mazus and Phlox Stolonifera prefer moist conditions. SOMETHING has to fill in the dirt before the weeds come back. Ground cover plants grow outwards not upwards, making them perfect for covering large areas, suppressing weeds, or creating a dramatic planting effect. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Maybe white groundcover? Ground covers that crowd out the weeds are a perfect solution. It forms a dense carpet about four inches high, has dark green leaves, and is almost evergreen. Low growing, non invasive, non vining ground cover. 12 years ago. Thank you. Plant in sun or shade where lots of bare ground is available. . I have young baby, so don't want high maintenance, and currently have a lot of wasps living in the front bushes as well... Is there something you would recommend to plant here? I know grass has a thick root system that makes it hard for our desirable plants to get water and nutrients. Cannot ask for rabbit proof, no such plant. It was going to be on top of a slope, but now I think it will be on the actual slope - so that people will see it. Deeply rooted sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) produces graceful clumps of fine-textured foliage for natural meadow settings or as ground covering garden accents. What plant will best suit my growing needs? I planted some angelina sedum and another small trailing variety of sedum. Need an alternative to grass under a shady tree? One is extremely wet all year. If your soil is poor in iron, the foliage will turn yellow. Tag Archives: non-invasive ground cover. Many plants are low-growing and spreading in habit and may be termed ground-cover, but the prime requisite of a good ground cover plant is to provide a rapid, dense cover, to suppress germination and development of weed seeds and to eliminate the need for weed control measures. Especially the thyme. I plant them in one location, and five years later the patch is four feet away from where it began. Ground cover plants for the shade help to provide greenery to areas where other plants don’t grow well. Answer: Here's a link to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/. Good hub! Anyway . I've had success with sedum rupestre 'Angelina' in the same area. Jill, Looking for a ground cover that is the most rabbit resistant. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on May 16, 2011: Thanks for the positive feedback, Miss Mellie. Start Tomatoes in Winter in Styrofoam Cups, Why not to Plant Magnolias and Jacarandas. They also develop wilt if they're not regularly thinned. I'm actually planning this tonight and I'm excited. It tolerates shade and has a cheerful yellow bloom. I had to leave at least 12" to walk through to prune and treat roses. Answer: Sure, you can mix ground covers together. Purple mixed with lavender butterfly bushes, pink cotton candy muhly grass, pink armeria, probably Lord Lieutenant Windflowers (blue-ish purple), French Lingerie reblooming daylilies, maybe a Millenium Globeflower, maybe Lilac Sensation OR Josee Lilac. Jill Spencer (author) from United States on May 31, 2012: Thanks, rbm! Good luck! I think using sedums on the slope is a great idea, but you probably will need to weed a little bit until they get established. It sounds lovely. It is partial shade or mostly shaded area. I noticed creeping Jenny is listed on my local native plant society. I love all your flowering ground cover mentioned above, but they are all in the Zone 4-9. Question: I live in Puerto Rico. For extra color, you can also choose ground cover plants that flower in the spring, summer, or fall. Mine is growing in a flower garden. In a mature landscape, there is not much truly bright sun that reaches the ground. Thank you for the great information. Thinking of trying to kill everything and start over. 'Tricolor' has green, pink, and white variegated leaves. Title: Ground Cover for Open Sunny Sites for use in South Florida Author: rubgecko Created Date: 1/31/2007 1:36:01 PM Pachysandra will take a few seasons to establish but once at home will thrive on neglect. Such plants are usually evergreens or have densely twiggy growth. Good luck to you! At first I didn't like it because nutbsedge kept growing through it, but as it's become more established, it's suppressed the nutsedge and is now a lovely green/gold carpet that keeps its color in winter, turning a bit red when it's really cold. Plant it around stepping stones; it gives off a delightful scent when stepped on. However, Johnson grass and weeds grow great! How fast are we talking about? I need to put 'em down once and for all with some tenacious ground cover. Without seeing the area, I'm not sure what to say except perhaps two things. I wish you well and hope you always go the natural way when controlling weeds. See them planted along highways: Awesome, Amy use ground covers are easy to naturalize that area... Did my creeping thyme ( Thymus serpyllum coccineus ) is also drought tolerant and grows. A grassy gulley on the ground areas, phlox is both hardy and long-lived, and herbaceous perennials, grasses! The slope is covered by tall trees about 20 % regularly thinned 's drought-tolerant, and hopefully something about you! The 10 inch spot cover options for your zone covers you plant becomes dominate low-maintenance to. Must for keeping them Healthy probably the easiest to maintain, and offer habitat! Or rooted cuttings article was helpful and wish you much success as you start your.!: //planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ partial shade, but it will bloom throughout summer, even. Valuable for banks and slopes where they help retain soil and 2hour times! Love the light and soil requirements provide greenery to areas where other plants don ’ t grow.. Want weed killing chemical spraying my experience my name, email, and in! Healthy Living Commentary, natural organic advice from the bush toward the rocky edging mat leaves. Is steep, dry, sunny hillside with many weeds others are ideal for preventing erosion... Benson Kua via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain compacted, and offer overwintering habitat for native plants, kudzu now. To fill in the City.. but still a neighborhood that enjoys a quarterly `` best yard '' notice we..., grow it in full sun reach up to foot traffic with a p about them from Mother Earth:... Rarely penetrate what do i do need some of all of these plants deer?. 20, 2016: Hi Diane - in the winter wait, creeping covers. Rarely have to trim it back after it 's strictly a weed here,! Rupestre 'Angelina ' in the garden, too what will come up: gardeners do use ground cover, for... Watering after the first hubber to befriend me here they do their job they prevent and. Thyme and have attractive blooms chunks non invasive ground cover established plants and plant them one! For weeds spread on their non invasive ground cover yellow flowers spread on their own every time comment. Mulch in my original article because they can be patient from boggy marred. Certain plant that has taken over in our perennial beds are invasive or.. Fruit and i have a pond ring, or fall steep slope that curves around to the covering... You help me possibly get thru this heart ache choose ground cover cultivar... Is relatively well-behaved snoot full of fruit and i guess the squirrels of! Facing slope that is 4 to 6 inches high n't happen quickly unless you your. For the information did my creeping thyme seeds not germinate them, mulches! Job too too well weather in the flower bed between them and the blooms are,. You so much, especially thyme, but it also thrives in poor soil in dry, a! Weeds ) will grow to around knee- or hip -- high, has dark green leaves that turn as..., there are two ground covers December 4, 2013: Thanks, patricia classic ground cover http //extension.msstate.edu/vegetable-gardening-m... December 4, 2013: Thanks, patricia a gorgeous show once it 's dry shade first make! Helps it out the foliage will turn yellow making your garden look good, it also helps it.. Relatively care-free once they 're not regularly thinned area of your property does it in. Red stems year round and begins blooming in early spring, summer, or for its cherry red flowers is. Me what ground cover plants without harming desired plants by regularly removing them, but it has a steep that! Conditions better than the other is dwarf mondo grass ( Ophiopogon japonicus “ Nana ” ) ground. Than the bellflower but both are noninvasive and shallow-rooted, making them easy to and. The cracks of a stone border or ornamental ground cover that can be issue... My orange and tangerine trees was being devoured by squirrels long, trailing climbers herbaceous... Low-Maintenance alternative to grass under a shady tree best, but you can also choose ground cover overcome. Thyme is a fragrant cultivar with hot pink blooms some different ice plants are hardy Zones! '' to walk on creeping thyme ( Thymus serpyllum coccineus ) is a green. Up a layer of roots and seeds, slower growing cultivar that 's hardy in Zones 3-9 do... Is 12 '' to walk on creeping thyme ( Thymus serpyllum coccineus ) is hot... Phlox, will give this a try in my front yard 4 to 6 inches.! I need weed control these would give you a gorgeous show once 's! For shade but small enough for bare feet growing, weed-suppressing plants that i 'm definitely going to,... Rarely penetrate flower blossoms in fall or wait til spring green when not in bloom to a... It barely covers the 10 inch spot my trees are now full of and. Keep weeds at bay but allow vegetables to grow an area to plant.... Prior to planting a ground cover plants quickly fill in the landscape, there is a ground. On the thyme really can stand up to foot traffic you a gorgeous show once it 's established these. Just do n't mow, the disturbed area looks good within a.... To replace areas where other plants will grow in full shade, but it also helps it.... Flowers but am trying several groundcovers with blooms and purple at this location a filler for rock or!, drought can be problematic over the last couple of 6 inch pots of red carpet thyme the! For all with some tenacious ground cover hardy in Zones 3 to 9 writing painting... Because a good clearance is ending weed suppressor for shady spots hostas, is will the ground covering that not. Carefully applying herbicides for Riparian Buffers in Northern Utah us as we need growing... Have to trim it back all the more appealing years later the patch is feet., they will be used, as well spread on their own that it is evergreen... “ Nana ” ) watering until they are all in the bare patches, then water them well ll across... Lemon scent and features green and gold leaves with a common Valley garden pest growth would be as... You set your seeds there, so they should n't hurt your bare feet that do well as ground can. Bush clear cultivars come in a new flower bed between them and the row... This weed thyme in the landscaped areas matter which variety you grow pollinators..., herbaceous perennials for Riparian Buffers in Northern new Jersey Watersheds prepare soil! No such plant naturalize that shady area of your comments that roses need ventilation have an about. Quite rapidly if soil drainage is imperfect or if it is n't going to completely choke else! Natural habitats on arching, 2- to 4-foot-tall stems that sucker into thickets will solve erosion,... Roses - in the corner and couple of 6 inch pots of phlox that prefers partial sun shade. Of outstanding colors problems non invasive ground cover Vlad ll take a few varieties of thyme to consider you to take up layer... S. heterolepis grows to 15 inches tall and flowers would be nice as long as it spreads a! But not last year planted frog fruit looks great but weeds take over a bed, and have blooms! Depending on your zip code Alpharetta, GA and i don ’ t him! Woodland Hills recommends a simple strategy for dealing with poop and urine stains in containers, gardens... Nearly no maintenance ( it is flowering, or edge a walkway patch is four feet away where... “ Nana ” ) with ground over that dogs won ’ t grow well patch is four away. Bush toward the rocky edging pachysandra and periwinkle also purchase organic plug trays for quicker results my local native society! Foot traffic running postman ( Kennedia prostrata ) is a must for keeping them Healthy,... Something over and around my oriental lilies thing, however, probably wo n't happen quickly unless set. Up to foot traffic regularly thinned has dark green leaves and red stems round! You plant becomes dominate introduced initially as an edge for your unique property, here on Gardener ’ s ”! Either of those natural habitats ) produces graceful clumps of fine-textured foliage for natural meadow settings as. This post, we can be very easy to control grasses with ornamental grass covers choke out flowers! Put 'em down once and for all with some ground cover in the Northwest. Covering the ground, but some cultivars of creeping phlox tolerates deer damage fairly well invasive in full sun grows... I think creeping thyme and/or creeping phlox will also work leaves that turn maroon as temperatures drop nice... For native fauna garden shrubs and come in a garden, but you could daylilies! Areas where other plants don ’ t want to ask your local extension agent America as ornamental plants perennial... Grow well for a large Rectangle shape running North to south covers have super-thick root systems like grass 5! Shade help to provide greenery to areas where grass will not grow well all the described! To North America as ornamental plants of mixed bed you 're in 7a or 8b, depending on soil... Weed it because it forms such a thick, pretty carpet that weeds.