With large trumpet flowers, this vine spreads rapidly and sends up root suckers, putting itself in the middle of the invasive versus non-invasive debate; $29.95 in a large 3-gallon pot through Top Tropicals. Just one or two sprigs transplant easily and will start a colony. Most of them form mats that are ideal for sunny sites. Watch this one in case of dry weather and keep it watered. Above: Native honeysuckles are not considered to be invasive like the Asiatic varieties. Buy Persian Ivy HERE and Save. We can’t urge you enough not to do this. Finally, get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various vines and climbers with our Vines & Climbers: A Field Guide. The foliage is handsome from earliest spring to late fall. Recommended for zones 4 to 9; $6 through Earth First Native Plant Nursery. Recently we offered a professional’s recommendation of the perfect Ivy plant. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is sometimes considered an invasive weed in the yard; however, this plant will make a great ground cover to replace a lawn. Did we mention that when it’s overgrown it’s a favorite spot for rats to nest in? Little did we know this benign (OK, maybe “invasive” is more apt) plant would stir up a bee’s hive of controversy. Ground Covers: A Field Guide. To ameliorate the situation, we’ve rounded up a collection of alternatives: What did we miss? Photograph by Janet Hall. Unlike many other vines, the blooms of the hyacinth bean plants grow up and away from the foliage. See the article in its original context from. Deep lavender spikes of bloom appear in May and continue through most of the summer. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) Creeping phlox is a short plant often seen covering the side of a hill … Yes, English ivy is invasive and can get pretty out of control if you don’t keep on top of it, but, in the right setting, it’s a magnificent {and low maintenance, and cheap} ground cover. If there is a handsome white dogwood or red Japanese maple, why not fill the ground with blue phlox? Your resource for finding the best storage and home organization solutions for every room in the house. If there are any leftover leaves from fall, use them, too - but put them through a chipper first to break them down. Copyright © 2007-2020 Remodelista, LLC. Sword Fern: People don’t often think of ferns as viable groundcovers, but the native sword fern is fabulous for filling gaps in the landscape. Many species are available and choice is a matter of taste. Ferns (Various Genera) Garden ferns are an unusual family of plants, since they include several … They have their place for large expanses and are probably the least expensive for greening major areas. Plan your trip with our destination guides to our favorite public gardens, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Above: A stunning ornamental vine, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus) is a twining perennial that is winter hardy in zones 10 to 11. Browse our collection of more than 2,000 plants and seeds, which can be ordered directly from our favorite shops and growers. We have 200 guides on everything from fences to foxgloves. Ivy is a popular solution… and a popular habitat for rats and other undesirables. Remodelista, Gardenista, 10 Easy Pieces, Steal This Look, 5 Quick Fixes, Design Sleuth, High/Low Design, Sourcebook for the Considered Home, and Sourcebook for Considered Living are ® registered trademarks of Remodelista, LLC. Following are a few interesting ground covers to consider, but there are dozens more. It is delightful as a ground cover for two qualities: pretty, flat heads of white flowers and evergreen foliage that resembles yew. Algerian Ivy is frost tender in some areas. Then choose a compatible ground cover to join them in flower. Gardenista’s members-only directory of landscape architects and garden designers. The plants are well suited to shade and poor conditions. Gardening; ALTERNATIVES TO IVY: GROUND-COVER PLANTS. Resembles English Ivy except leaves are larger. The process for complete eradication will most likely need to be repeated several times as new growth from the cuttings and the leftover roots will be vigorous. Although I literally do not use chemical herbicide for any other purpose, I do … Above: Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), another native of the Eastern United States, is hardy in zones 5 to 9. Photo courtesy of Donna Williamson. Foamflower (Tiarella). Creeping Thyme. Join the great ivy debate; see our recent post: Vertical Garden Kit: The Ideal Ivy. Another hardy ground cover option that can survive some trampling, creeping mazus is an attractive grass alternative for small areas, such as in between stepping stones or a small patio area. Once you plant Ivy, it’s all over, you’ll never get rid of it and once it’s established it isn’t very pretty. Algerian Ivy Vigorous growing vine or ground cover that clings to tree trunks, walls, or fences with ease. Epimediums. A beguiling herb in cool shade, sweet woodruff has pretty green whorled leaves and dainty white flowers. Alternatives to English Ivy Perennial Groundcovers. • Like ivy, kinnikinnick is adapted to well-drained sandy soils and sun. Most of the ground covers we typically use are aggressive at spreading and covering the ground. They bloom profusely in early summer with delicate pink flowers. It is a twining, evergreen, woody perennial that grows as a vine in zones 8 to 10 (California, southwestern and southeastern US). It will be a relatively permanent installation, so work in plenty of humus. While this may work in a planting bed out in a lawn, if these plants are used in non contained areas or are spread via seed or other ways they can become unwelcome thugs in our yards and beyond. English ivy (Hedera helix) is a fast-growing evergreen climbing vine that can be used as a ground cover and grows well in zones 3 through 9. A 3-to-4-inch mulch will keep down weeds until growth becomes rampant. Clicking through to the retailer that sells the product may earn us a commission. For large areas, we recommend Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis). Fast growing, it’s practically a vertical garden kit on its own. Native Alternatives to English Ivy, Japanese Pachysandra and Periwinkle These shade-loving ground covers are good for the environment and say something about where you are Tag us using #gardenista. If you have a favorite climbing plant, tell us about it in the comment section below. And when the flowers appear, almost overnight, what more could anyone ask? Some readers told us in no uncertain terms what they think of ivy: “a monster,” “kudzu,” and “I will never plant it again” were among the comments. They look great tucked into rock walls. Nearly anything you use to replace the ivy will be less encouraging to rodents. Candytuft (Iberis). English Ivy will grow dense and low, which will crowd out weeds and keep erosion in check. Goldflame spirea makes an excellent ground cover and should be considered as an alternative to vinca or ivy. Florida Native Ground Cover Plants . PACHYSANDRA, myrtle and ivy are workhorses for gardeners. Ivy, Pachysandra, Similar Ground Covers are NOT OK for use over a septic drainfield: these plants will reduce effluent evaporation from the drainfield, soil absorption system, soakaway system, or mound soils. It is an evergreen twining climber whose flowers are hummingbird and butterfly magnets. Meet our editorial team, see our book, and get the inside scoop on upcoming Gardenista events. English Ivy vs. Silver and Gold. Includes Free Shipping via … Hedera, which we commonly refer to as English Ivy (pl. Most ivy features green leaves, some with light-colored veins, which spread through nodes that appear on the plant’s long vines. As soon as the flowers fade, cut the tips off carefully and the plants may rebloom in late summer. I have yet to see this delightful late spring and fall bloomer listed as a ground cover, perhaps because it has such tall and showy flowers (nearly 2-inches across), but it certainly acts like one, at least in my Rocky Mountain back yard. For more, see our collection of Vertical Garden Features. A few types of ivy produce flowers. A great native plant for carpeting the ground, Kinnikinnick helps sustain wildlife. People often plant ivy out of desperation realizing they need to cover up a concrete block wall in the yard or quickly fill in an eyesore. Add bonemeal as fertilizer. Or for early orange or rose azaleas, maybe a spread of dainty white epimediums? Known for its high vitamin C content, it is said to be one of the first herb and edible plants brought to … The one-stop sourcebook for the considered home, guiding readers artfully through the remodeling and design process. Plants competing with tree roots in shade need a great deal of food (I use Miracid) and water. Evg. Looking for a low maintenance way to cover a large swath of ground? Then, generously apply an herbicide to the ground where you pulled the vines and roots. Later on, pachysandra dresses up with creamy flowers and myrtle follows with pretty blue petals. SOURCEBOOK FOR CONSIDERED LIVING Comments: This is the native plant that is most commonly recommended as an alternative to English ivy in shady locations. The fragrant herb comes in a variety of cultivars that typically grow anywhere from … Goldstar (Chrysogonum). Geranium. Anemone. Eradicating Poison Ivy. To do so, suit up … A … Looking for tropical plants for your indoor space, If you garden, you might consider winter to be you, When designer @roseuniacke and her husband purchas, It might feel like dropping temperatures mean the, In the design world, you hear a lot about bringing, Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris). Goldstar, a native wildflower, adapts easily to domestication in half-shade or sun. Deciduous alternatives to English Ivy for shade: Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a lovely deep green and spreads in dense shade with moisture. It dies back after the first frost. Lamium. Violets. https://www.gardenista.com/posts/alternatives-to-ivy-vertical-growers Phlox. Although typically evergreen. Green and variegated forms available. If conditions are ideal, it spreads freely and can be invasive. With its yellow blooms and coin-looking foliage, creeping Jenny will easily brighten up the lawn, especially shady areas. Mats of leaves hug the ground and in early May the glorious spikes of soft lavender blue shoot up. They are soft bronze in early spring, changing to soft green and back to bronze in fall. A dense mat of low-growing plants protects the surface beneath (preventing soil erosion), keeps dust out of the air, and adds a layer of rich texture underfoot. It grows just two inches high (so no mowing required!) Add these ground cover plants and flowers to your garden to fix your yard's trouble spots, whether it's grass that won't grow, erosion problems, or boring beds. It will cover a standard-sized trellis in a single season and is easy to grow from seed (being a member of the bean family); $3.25 for a pack of seeds at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. They bloom profusely in early summer with delicate pink flowers. Continue to be watchful and vigilant. Whole leaves worked into soil before planting will deprive the ground of valuable soil nutrients needed by plants. I. In spite of their assets, these ground covers are boring. Depending on their surroundings, these woody plants can be both ground creeping or climbing nearby trees, rocks, buildings, and pretty much anything they can lay their stems on. Dead nettle is another option. Sourcebook for Cultivated Living, sister site to @remodelista Before any ground cover is planted, the soil must be prepared well. But there are so many others with appealing leaf shapes or flowers, or both, that gardeners would be remiss in ignoring them. Lily of the valley. It supplies a summerlong display of rich yellow sunflowers over a tidy mat of foliage. So to speak. We herewith are pleased to list alternative recommendations to ivy for use as a ground cover in the shade, with the hope that you, the consumer who drives the market, will drive a more environmentally friendly plant. The definitive guide to stylish outdoor spaces, with garden tours, hardscape help, plant primers, and daily design news. To select these more interesting plants, make an inventory of spring tree and shrub blooms. A fast-growing evergreen ground cover, ivy comes in many types. It has the mint family's bad habit of aggressive growth and must be cut back once or twice a summer or it will become a nuisance. Ground ivy has a long history of use in alternative medicine and as an edible herb, dating back to the first century A.D. it was long considered a panacea (cure-all). 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