Every garden has one or more problem spots,
those areas where things do not grow well. Typically there are areas
that are either too shady or areas where the sun scorches plants
before they can root effectively. Luckily, there are adaptable plants
that resolve such gardening problems.
Ground covers are a wonderful group of plants that provide a unifying
landscape effect in either sun or shade. Because they are vigorous,
they are able to withstand many of the problems of other plants.
Some will tolerate being walked on. Others produce wonderful, tiny
flowers and dense foliage in textures that compliment and tie together
a landscape.
These practical plants have many uses. On slopes they will control
erosion, or provide a substitute for lawns in areas too shady to
support grass. They can be used as accents in areas that are too
narrow for shrubs. Wide-spreading ground covers fill large areas
with carpets of foliage and can even eliminate costly and time-consuming
maintenance such as mowing and edging.
There are also aesthetic reasons for using ground covers. They soften
the harsh lines of architecture, walkways and driveways. When inter-planted
beneath trees and shrubs, ground covers will provide textural balance
and link plants as a unifying element in the garden. They can be
used as specimen plants that add interest and a low-growing cover
among taller plants.
A number of the popular ground covers do very well on the East End
of Long Island. Ajuga is a low-growing, hardy plant for sunny areas
that spreads rapidly and blooms in May and June with lavender flowers.
Lamium blooms with lovely pink-to-purple flowers at the same time
and has waxy green or variegated leaves. It is best in shady locations.
Pachysandra grows in sun or shade and is a shrubby, evergreen ground
cover that grows about 10 inches tall. It spreads by rhizomes that
form a dense carpet of dark green foliage. The oval leaves appear
as whorls at the stem ends and produce tiny white flowers in early
spring. Periwinkle, one of the more popular ground covers, has smooth
evergreen leaves that spread on long, intertwining strands. It produces
lavender blue flowers that appear in spring and continue intermittently
throughout summer into fall. Growing about six inches tall, it is
highly effective on slopes and banks that are partially shady. The
Virginia Creeper is a fast-growing, vine that attaches itself with
tendrils. The deciduous leaves radiate outward from a leaf stem.
The leaves turn fiery red in fall and are very showy. Flowers are
inconspicuous, but the plant produces blue-black berries that attract
birds. It is very easy to grow but can take over an area if not
managed correctly. Virginia Creeper will thrive in either sun or
partial shade and is an excellent cover for slopes or places where
grass is not practical.
Regardless of the type of groundcover, proper planting is important
for the plants to grow and spread rapidly. The best time to plant
ground covers is late winter, early spring, or fall when the soil
is likely to remain moist. This helps the plants establish themselves.
Work the soil to a depth of about eight inches and incorporate fertilizer,
some lime and organic matter. (It is, of course, best to perform
a soil test to see exactly what is required.) Situate plants in
a pattern effect, spacing about ten inches apart for most ground
covers. Place a moderate amount of mulch around each plant and water
the plants well to help establish a strong root system. Keep the
plants generally moist – but not wet – for at least
the first month. Ground covers can be encouraged to spread rapidly
if they are periodically fertilized during the first growing season.
On newly-planted ground covers, apply a complete fertilizer, one
that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, immediately after
planting. Reapply a nitrogen fertilizer four to six weeks later
and continue two more times in the first year. Only apply fertilizers
when foliage is dry. Once fertilizer is applied, water the area
thoroughly to help disperse the fertilizer into the upper five inches
of soil. Watering after the fertilizer is applied will prevent any
burning of foliage and also avoid potential injury to new roots.
Ground covers should be a part of every garden. They possess the
ability to resolve garden problems as well as to help synchronize
the garden by tying elements together effectively. Because they
are so low maintenance, they are also a welcome addition to more
complex landscape arrangements.
You can contact Lance Brilliantine with any questions or comments
at GardenLance@yahoo.com.
