There are lots of locations in a landscape where turf and large trees just won’t grow well – too much shade, steep slopes and narrow spaces are just a few. Installing groundcovers might be the solution to some of these challenges. Of course, they’re not maintenance free, but considering the various options of better adapted plants can improve the appearance and function of the site.
What is a Groundcover? Simply put, a groundcover is a grouping of plants that are grow low to the soil. They include both turfgrasses and ornamentals; this article will focus on incorporating ornamentals that are better suited to certain locations than turf.
Challenging Locations
Shade – Turf is a full sun plant, plain and simple. Oh sure, some of the fescues can grow well in half day sun, but generally, it’s best to place plants in the landscape where they are able to receive their preferred amount of light. In shady sites between houses, the north side of a building and under tall trees, a better choice are shade adapted groundcovers and perennials.
Slopes – If a lawn mower is much lower on one side than the other as you make passes across the sod, and you find yourself having to shift your weight to the right or left just to balance the movement across the space, then turf is not a good choice; groundcovers need periodic maintenance, but not mowing, which greatly increases safety for the gardener and the health of the plants.
Narrow Spaces and Islands – Most landscapes have several narrow, leftover or oddly shaped spots that are adjacent to or in the midst of paths, concrete patios, sidewalks and staircases/steps. Some are simply small spaces, where turf irrigation, aeration, fertilization and pest control are difficult to implement.
Evaluate the Site
Right Plant, Right Place (RPRP) is paramount. A through evaluation of the challenging location considering prevailing wind, sun/shade, soil moisture, slope, size and shape is helpful in choosing a well-adapted groundcover. Inviting a friend to help with the assessment and notetaking is a good approach and usually yields identification of RPRP components not seen at first glance.
Desirable Plant Features
When interviewing candidates for a job, search industry experts suggest asking yourself “What do I get with this person?”. The same is true for picking out groundcovers. Plant height, rate of lateral spread, color, bloom sequence and evergreen or deciduous leaves are all good considerations.
Establishment
Spacing – On average, installing groundcovers 9-10 inches apart is a good “sweet spot”. If the chosen species grows rapidly, a few dollars can be saved by spreading them out to 12” and vise-versa to 6 inches if they grow slowly. The plant care tag on the pot contains specific information about plant spacing.
Soil amendment – When installing woody plants, amending/improving the soil is counterproductive as the roots tend to be prevented from spreading out sufficiently. With herbaceous plants such as groundcovers and perennial flowers, amending with compost is recommended. This practice is based on the practicality of modifying the entirety of the eventual root system of the plant. Amending/improving the whole root system of a medium sized tree is a huge undertaking. However, since a groundcover plant has a much smaller root system, even in a planting bed, amending the soil according to the results of a soil test is much more feasible. As with other ornamentals, the pH, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity and various essential nutrients are the ones to consider.
Weed Control – Pathogens and insects are problems when establishing groundcovers, but the #1 problem are annual and perennial weeds. A little hoeing, 2 inches of wood chips and a judicious application of a preemergence herbicide between plants goes a long way towards preventing undesirables from popping up.
Irrigation – In hot, dry locations, regular watering is required to keep the soil and plant roots moist (not soggy or dry), especially in the first year of growth. Temporary and permanent irrigation systems can greatly reduce time spent watering and are a boon if budget allows.
Fertilization – Light applications of garden fertilizer geared towards root growth, in accordance with soil test results is important during establishment. A good approach is to apply a third to fourth rate every 4 weeks.
Pruning
After the first year of growth, some groundcovers will need to be thinned, pruned or simply restricted in their horizontal growth. The purpose of a groundcover is to solve the problem but not create one by allowing them to creep into spaces when other plants are currently serving a valuable purpose.
