Grass Will Not Grow? Consider Planting Ground Covers

    Groundcovers are low growing plants that proliferate to form dense plantings. They are attractive and thrive in areas where turfgrasses have difficulty growing. By providing masses of beautiful foliage, groundcovers help unify the landscape. They contrast the foliage, form, color, and texture of the various other plants in the landscape. The plants are sturdy, durable, and most are rapid growers. The choice of a suitable groundcover depends on the growing conditions in the area it will be planted.
     Till organic matter into the upper six to eight inches of the soil before planting.  Add an all-purpose fertilizer such as a 10-10-10. Apply a one to two-inch layers of organic mulch, such as pine straw or pine bark. Keep the plants adequately watered until they are established. Proper spacing is essential to prevent the plants from crowding out other plants and each other. Most ground covers should be planted about one to two feet apart. Until the plants fill in the area, some hand weeding may be necessary.  Also, you can use a pre-emergent herbicide to help reduce the weed population.
    Many different groundcovers can be used in a variety of site conditions. In areas that are hot and exposed to full sun, like slopes, several types of horizontal growing junipers, such as shore juniper, Parsons, and blue rug junipers, thrive as long as the soil has adequate drainage. Another excellent choice for full sun is creeping phlox, often known as thrift. It has brilliant pink and white flowers in the early spring.

Garden thrift, which is a species of phlox, has colorful pink and white
blossoms in the spring and has attractive foliage year round. (Photograph by Timothy Daly)

      Liriope, mondo grass, pachysandra, and Asiatic and Confederate jasmines thrive in the shade. They will cover the ground in places where grass and other plants will not. Sometimes moss is used as a groundcover. It thrives in heavy clay soils, moist conditions, and shade. Mosses require very little maintenance other than occasionally removing fallen leaves.

Liriope spreads rapidly and can grow in both
sun and shade. (Photograph by Timothy Daly)

    Groundcovers also have practical functions as well. They are sometimes used to control erosion on slopes and banks. Thick masses help reduce weed populations in landscape plantings.
     Some groundcovers should not be planted due to their invasive nature. English ivy can be very invasive and quickly take over a yard and any trees in its path. Some of the smaller leaf varieties or variegated types of English ivy are not as invasive. Vinca, or periwinkle, is another commonly used groundcover that has an invasive growth habit. It has small leaves and purple flowers. The plant rapidly spreads and can form mounds up to two feet high. If you plant either one of these, continual pruning will be necessary to keep them under control.
     If properly selected, planted, and maintained, groundcovers can be attractive and functional additions to the landscape. Their presence will enhance the beauty and value of the landscape.