Take a look out of your window and survey your land. Probably a large percentage of what you see consists of grass in some form or other. What would be a good alternative to all that sod?
If your answer was "concrete" you may leave the room now.
What we're really talking about here is "groundcover." The category known as groundcover includes a wide variety of evergreen perennials that are low growing and naturally spread out across the ground.
I have some suggestions for the types of plants you might want to select, but first, let's look at some of the benefits of groundcover.
You don't have to mow groundcover. Unless the highlight of your weekend is firing up the lawnmower under the blazing summer sun, this might be the biggest benefit of all.
Groundcover is perfect on sloping ground and hillsides. You might have parts of your land that are on an incline where you just can't mow – at least not safely. Groundcover is the ideal solution.
Groundcover is low maintenance. If it gets a little unruly, give it a quick trim with the shears. Or set you mower blade to its highest setting and give it a once-over at the beginning of the season. But you probably won't have to.
Grass doesn't usually grow well under and around trees and shrubs, but groundcover does. And most groundcover seems to thrive in shaded areas, unlike grass.
Finally, thoughtfully placed groundcover can add beauty and distinction to your property at a relatively low cost.
Is there a downside? Only one, in my opinion. Once established, most groundcover is fairly hard to remove permanently, so you don't want to think of it as a temporary decoration.
Here are my suggestions for types of groundcover that you might want to consider:
English Ivy – Hedera helix or English ivy is a hardy plant with dark green, glossy leaves. It grows 6" to 8" when used as ground cover (but can climb to 9' as a vine.) Plant 8" - 12" apart to create a carpet affect.
Trailing Perwinkle – Vinca Minor or trailing perwinkle is a fast growing ground cover that's good for borders, as a background to seasonal bulbs, or hard-to-grow banks. It likes shade but tolerates full sun.
Carpet Bugle – Ajuga Reptans or carpet bugle is a low-growing and fast-spreading perennial. Fall color is a striking reddish bronze and it can hold its leaves all winter.
Japanese Spurge – Pachysandra Terminalis or Japanese spurge flowers in spring with a mass of tiny white blossom spikes. It can be used as a ground cover and in rock gardens.
Maidenhair Fern – Adiantum Pedatum or maidenhair fern is a fast-growing and decorative addition to any landscape. However, It does require a rich, moist soil and medium shade. It would be perfect around a shady patio, rock garden or shaded garden pool area.
There are many other varieties that could work well for you. I'll be happy to offer some advice if you send me an e-mail at steve@landsteward.org
Most groundcover plants should be placed 5" to 12" apart, unless instructions from the nursery tell you differently. When planting around shrubs, don't get too aggressive with your digging or you could damage the shrubs' root system. And – rather like painting a floor – in a large area, plant in rows and work backwards to avoid trampling on those delicate little guys.
Groundcover can be much more than just a lawn-alternative. Groundcover is low-maintenance way to beautify small and large areas of your landscape while providing a wildlife habitat and preventing soil erosion. And you were thinking of... concrete?!
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org or mail to: Steve Jones, "The Plant Man", P.O. Box 686, McMinnville, TN 37111. For resources and additional information, including archived columns, visit www.landsteward.org
QUESTION: We have not had much of a winter where I live and things are beginning to bud. Is it safe to prune things -- like gardenias, wisteria, butterfly buses -- now or should I wait until after they bloom. And if I do prune now, will my blooms be fewer but my plant prettier?
ANSWER: It would be safe to trim the dead or obviously old branches at this time. However, if you go through any extensive trimming you will lose blooms for this spring as flowering buds set in the winter. Yes, you can trim after the blooms fade for spring. To contact Steve Jones with your comments and questions, send e-mail to steve@landsteward.org
