using groundcovers in your landscape elaine homstad, mg, fcmga february 2, 2010
TRANSCRIPT
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Using Groundcovers
In Your Landscape
Elaine Homstad, MG, FCMGAFebruary 2, 2010
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Why Groundcovers?
• Prevent erosion• Suppress weeds• Provide low-maintenance effects• Reduce lawn area• Provide coverage in hard-to-grow
(shady or too dry) areas• Create differentiation of garden beds
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Determining Your Needs
• Shady or Sunny?• Dry or Wet?• Foot Traffic or Out-of-the-Way?• Pets to consider?• Any wildlife you wish to attract or
deter?
All of these factors will help you decide on the groundcover best for you and your conditions
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•Low-growing evergreensLook for short (6-12”) spreading or creeping varieties
•GroundcoversAvoid invasives (Hedera Helix)
•Short ornamentals• Look for grey-green or feathery foliage• Select plants which form mounds or clumps• Select plants that spread through rhizomes or are self-seeders
Plant Choices
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Low-growing Evergreens• Junipers – Very hardy - like sun, but will tolerate partial
shade, prefer dry environment, do not mind heat – Varieties to look for:• Blue Rug Blue Pacific• Blue Chip Bar Harbor • Mother Lode Nana• Sea Spray
There are many others – search your local nursery or online – look for “horizontalis”, “conferta” and “procumbens” varieties
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‘Blue Chip’
‘Blue Pacific’
‘Blue Rug’
‘Mother Lode’
Japanese - ‘Nana’
‘Sea Spray’
‘Bar Harbor’
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Evergreen Groundcovers
• Virginia Creeper• Pachysandra• Cotoneaster• Ajuga (“Bugleweed”)• Sedums• Vinca
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Pachysandra
Photo: Amol Kaikini, MG
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Vinca
Photo: Amol Kaikini, MG
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Ajuga
Photo: Amol Kaikini, MG
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Lamium
Cotoneaster
Photo: Amol Kaikini, MG
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Sedums
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Virginia Creeper
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Short Ornamentals
• Lamb’s Ears (Stachys)• Coreopsis• Sweet Woodruff• Evergreen Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)• Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)• Creeping Thyme• Green & Gold
(Chrysogonum Virginianum)
Note: all of these like sun
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Lamb’s Ears (Stachys)
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Coreopsis
Candytuft
Sweet Woodruff
Green & Gold –Chrysogonum Virginianum
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More Short Ornamentals
• Sedges and short fescues• Miniature Hostas (a treat for deer)• Ferns• Lily-of-the-Valley (can be toxic to dogs and
cats)• Impatiens (annual – deer LOVE them)
Note: all of these will survive in partial to full shade
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Sedge
Miniature Hostas (photo: White Flower Farm)
Lily-of-the-Valley
Ferns
Impatiens
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Pets and other Critters
To keep out unwanted beasts…Use the PSSST factor when choosing plants:• Prickly• Smelly• Spiny• Spiky• Thorny
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PSSST Factor PlantsPlants whose stems and leaves are generally avoided by dogs, deer, and others:
Cotoneasters Vinca Junipers Liriope Lamb’s Ears Ajuga Pachysandra Lamium Sedges Sweet Woodruff
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Looking for more advice?
• See what others have done• Read books and magazines• Talk to staff at garden centers and
nurseries• Consult web sources• www.fairfaxmastergardeners.org
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HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!
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HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!