Episode 44: Great Ground Covers

Find out our favorite low-growing, low-care, weed-suppressing plants

There is n’t much a great ground screen ca n’t do . It can crowd out weeds , stop erosion , fill in the gaps between larger perennials , and even soften the edges of walls and curbs . However , not all ground covers are created adequate . The respectable one require little care , look neat in multiple season , and mass out speedily . Steve and Danielle talk over some of their favorite candidates for this laundry lean of objectives in this LAAP episode . Their recommendations include perennials and shrubs that fit the bill . Horticulturist Joann Vieira count in with several ground cover options that she has used in the past tense at botanic gardens and secret gardens alike . This episode starts off with Danielle “ finally ” gift Steve with a few plants that he ’s been want for years . Listen now to find out which 1 .

Expert testimonial : Joann Vieira , is the director of horticulture for the Trustees of Reservations in Massachusetts .

Bearberryis a Northeast indigene that thrives in sandy soils . It looks a lot like a creeping blueberry when its small , white , bell - work blush show up in midspring .

The works that revolutionize this episode,‘Gro - grim ’ fragrantsumacthrives in punishing experimental condition , like this parking lot set of an industrial building . The fall color show it place on is a fillip .

Although Steve’s‘Himalayan Border Jewel ’ sheepskin flowerdoesn’t flush faithfully , in areas with a tenacious time of year , like this Seattle garden , it bloom like crazy . Even without prime , it ’s a honest - look works .

Sunsparkler ® Plum bedazzle sedumis a newer potpourri of low - turn sedum and does best in lean soils with sharp drainage . The purple - blue color of the foliage holds throughout the summertime . Its bloom are a favorite former season ( previous summer / former fall ) of pollinators .

Steve bring up‘Karmina ’ hardy geraniumin almost every sequence — but for good reason . It ’s a tough , low - growing perennial that seems to always await attractive .

DANIELLE ’S PLANTS

‘ Gro - Low ’ fragrant sumac ( Rhus aromatica‘Gro - depressed ’ , Zones 3–9 )

Bearberry ( Arctostaphylos uva - ursi , geographical zone 2–6 )

European risky ginger ( Asarum europaeum , Zones 4–7 )

Sunsparkler ® Plum Dazzled sedum ( Sedum‘Plum Dazzled ’ , Zones 4–9 )

‘ Tom Thumb ’ cotoneaster ( Cotoneasterapiculatus‘Tom Thumb ’ , Zones 5–7 )

‘ White Nancy ’ lamium ( Lamium maculatum‘White Nancy ’ , Zones 3–8 )

STEVE ’S works

‘ Himalayan Border Jewel ’ fleece flower ( Persicaria affinis‘Himalayan Border Jewel ’ , Zones 4–9 )

‘ Karmina ’ hardy geranium ( Geranium ×cantabrigiense‘Karmina ’ , Zones 5–8 )

Blue star tree creeper ( Isotoma fluviatilis , Zones 6–9 )

fluent carpeting ( Dymondia margaretae , Zones 9–11 )

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

hunky-dory Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .

Get our late tips , how - to article , and instructional video sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

6 Big-Impact, Low-Care Ground Covers

Problem-Solving Ground Covers

Flowering Ground Covers

Planting Ground Covers

Join Fine Gardening for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a famed industrial plant diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical handler …

When I spotted a particular sand dollar bill cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I sleep with I was in trouble . With a delicious colouring design …

When we only prioritize plant we want over plant our landscape needs , each season is occupy with a never - ending list of chores : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , remedy , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enrol the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re potential to trip on something , but because you might be dive - fail by a pair …