Known as the workhorses of the plant world, groundcovers look great, require less work than lawn to maintain and can grow where turf grasses simply won't thrive. And believe it or not, fall is an ideal time to get groundcover patches started.
June 23, 2015
Known as the workhorses of the plant world, groundcovers look great, require less work than lawn to maintain and can grow where turf grasses simply won't thrive. And believe it or not, fall is an ideal time to get groundcover patches started.
[Image Credit: iStock.com/divgradcurl]
Once you've come up with a list of groundcovers suited to your site, narrow it down by deciding what you want from your planting.
Easy care
If you need a lawn-like effect without regular mowing, a low-growing ornamental grass can do the trick.
Weed-fighting colour
Flowering groundcovers do double duty; they suppress weeds and can also dress up your landscape with seasonal colour.
Pathways and slopes
Ground-hugging plants are best between stepping stones and along paths.
Now that you've decided upon which type of groundcover you want, what comes next?
A ribbon of groundcover plants (30 to 60 centimetres wide) around a small lawn area creates a finished look and reduces the time you'll spend on edging.
The single most important step in getting groundcovers off to a good start is getting rid of all the weeds before you plant.
Autumn is the ideal time to get new groundcover patches started.
Planting in fall means they'll need less watering come spring since their roots will be well established before hot, dry summer weather arrives.
Need to get groundcovers growing under trees and shrubs? A tree's abundant network of roots can make it tough to dig or till the whole site.
Groundcovers are super solutions for slopes, eliminating the need for regular mowing in awkward spaces.
Another option that works well for a steep slope is laying boards, logs or stones across it to create low walls.
To make mowing easier and minimize tedious trimming, use beds of groundcovers to "link" individual shrubs and trees, thus forming larger beds.
Both versatile and easy-care, groundcovers can provide foliage where grass refuses to grow and help to reduce the amount of maintenance needed in your yard and garden.
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