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How
Do I Choose Ground Covers for My Garden?
If you are ready to cover up
some of the barren or ugly patch that you may have in your
garden, control some
hillside erosion, or spread out some beautiful color in your
garden, now is the time do it. The fall planting season is
right around the corner, so now is the perfect time to learn
how to utilize your ground cover plants to solve the problems
that are in your garden. The ground cover can also pull together
your overall design in your garden. Fall is a great season
for planting ground covers in your garden. These shallow-root
plants benefit from relatively warm days. The shallow-roots
also benefit from plenty of moisture. The water can also get
the shallow-roots to get established very quickly. The
moisture helps them grow quickly. You should know that planting
ground covers are not difficult at all. It can offer quick
visual rewards because of the prolific growth habits of its
many varieties.
When gardeners think of ground covers, the goal is to cover
barren ground, control erosion, and/or suppress weeds. While
ground cover accomplishes these things, it can also
unify your garden. If you make a good choice, you cannot only brighten
up your garden, it can help the overall condition of your garden.
These can have a great effect in the garden when they are used
visually to bring together ornament plants. They can also form
tapestries of color for your garden. When you choose the right
ground cover for your garden, it is like getting the right
floors for your home. For example, if you choose the right
carpet for your home, it will enhance the beauty of your home.
Therefore, if you get the right ground cover for your garden,
it will also enhance the beauty of your garden. In selecting
ground cover, make sure you look at many varieties. The right
ground cover can help your garden with such conditions as,
shade exposure, sun exposure, and foot traffic, throughout
your garden area. There are more varieties that are available
to you then just the traditional ground covers that you will
find in your local nursery.
Here are some guidelines and some considerations
to help you decide which ground cover is right for your
own personal garden design:
Size: Make sure to look for low growing ground covers for
smaller gardens, such as between shrubs and along pathways.
The taller ground covers will look best in larger areas and
on slopes.
Form: Some forms of ground covers include compact, mounding,
succulent, and leafy. Trailing can be utilized, but that depends
on your design.
Color: The variation is foliage and flower color for ground
cover can be extensive. Make sure to consider a flowering ground
cover to cover some large areas without other plants.
Shade
gardens: Try a mixture of the golden tones of Acorus
‘Ogon’ or Hakonechloa macra (Japanese forest Grass) with a
velvety green Baby Tears and a bit of Helichrysum ‘Limelight’.
These covers make very pretty gardens and work well with hydrangeas,
rhododendrons, and azaleas.
Perennials: Use the perennials as an alternative to traditional
ground covers. Lamium, Lantana sellowiana, Lamb’s Ears, and
Erigeron karvinskianus are just a few examples that can help
tie your garden together. Bacopas are also another example
of ground covers.
Large
areas: Carpet roses have quickly become quite popular
with gardeners who are looking to add a large amount of color.
These carpet roses are very resistant to many diseases. The
carpet roses come in many different colors such as pink, apple-blossom,
white, or red flowers. Ivies, trailing vines, and Nasturtiums
also add a lot of color to your garden.
Below
trees: Try using Festuca California (the needles and
leaves may fall through the ground cover) or Vinca major under
oak and pine trees. Maybe even try a combination of Irish and
Scotch moss underneath a Japanese maple tree.
Take the time to plan out what you need to do. Also take the
time to pick what plants and trees you want for your garden.
The fall planting will be short, so remember that when fall
time comes around. As soon as the weather cools off, you will
be ready to plant your beautiful plants and flowers. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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