`Need suggestions for Ground Cover Plants

[Mike]

Hi, I live in the mid atlantic region about thirty miles north of Washington, DC in a townhouse with a fenced front yard measuring about sixteen feet across and and eighteen feet deep with southern exposure. In the center of the yard is a cherry tree (doesn't bear fruit) with trunk about 18" - 22" in diameter. When I moved in a couple of years ago, the yard was mostly covered in ground cover plants. Not knowing anything about plants I pulled some of the different plants thinking they were weeds. I want to replant the yard with gound cover plants, but I don't have a clue which ones to buy. I don't what to plant grass due to the shade the tree produces and I believe grass lawns are wasteful, what with thw watering and chemicals needed too maintain them. Any and all suggestions are welcome,

Thanks,

Mike

[Vox Humana]

I would make a trip to a local full-service nursery to see what is available. They should know what will grow well in your area. Some general recommendations would be English ivy, pachysandra, ajuga, vinca, wintergreen, cinquefoil, groundcover roses, Euonymus fortunei - purple winter creeper, liriope, and sedum. You might consider planting more than one type of groundcover in a pattern. The pattern can be geometric and formal, or informal drifts. Part of the design could be mulch. Don't overlook the possibility of using closely planted drifts of perennials such a hellebores or hostas.

[Carolyn LeCrone]

[Doug Kanter]

Like what's-her-name said, I'd get some local advice, but lean toward pachysandra. As far as I'm concerned, it's one of a handful of plants which should be nominate for sainthood. Bulletproof, easy to grow. Expensive at first, but oh well.

[Mike]

When I moved in most of it was pachysandra. I have two good full service nurseries near by. Thanks for the useful advice.

Mike

[Mike]

I've been pulling up the ivy.

Mike

[Mike]

What is the care and feeding regimen pachysandra?

Mike

[Doug Kanter]

When you first plant them, you'll want to keep the ground moist for a couple of weeks. But, once they're mature, they need pretty much nothing. Next statement refers ONLY to my direct experience growing them in NY State, zones 5 and 6: I've seen them perfectly happy in full sun, part sun, and deep shade, regardless of moisture. At my last house, they thrived in winter temps ranging from 30 down to zero, especially in a particular corner where we had ice damming, which resulted in the plants being bombarded regularly by 20 lb chunks of ice.

Very odd plants, but endlessly rich-green. The only thing I don't know is how they deal with salt, since I never used any, and I've never had occasion to notice any plantings near roads.

[Jennifer]

I think you just talked me into planting pachysandra, and I wasn't even looking for a groundcover :)

-- Jennifer

[Doug Kanter]

OK, but I lied just a little. They like a little compost now and then. And, in theory, they're happiest in the same situations where rhododendrons smile. So, if the soil is total crap, you might want to amend it a bit before planting. That usually does NOT mean buying bags of so-called "topsoil". Maybe add some peat moss if your soil is really dry and lifeless, and add composted cow manure, or your own homemade compost, if you've got a pile or bin started. None of this is absolutely necessary, but it helps.

"Flats" of pachysandra seem pretty expensive, but the plants spread very nicely.

If you add peat moss, don't just take it out of the bag and spread it around. It's often dry, and will actually suck moisture away from plants. If you have a wheelbarrow, crumble the peat moss into it and sprinkle with water. The next day, it should have soaked up the water and expanded. Less dusty that way, too. If no wheelbarrow, lay the bag flat, slice open the top, take some out to make a "bowl" that'll hold water, and pour in a gallon or two. Work your way through the bag that way. The stuff's like a dry sponge. Toss the sponge in water, and it'll float until it soaks up some water.

[Rob]

I don't know why pachysandra is expensive. Like equally pricey hostas, it's easy to grow, easy to propagate, and doesn't need much care. Somehow the nurseries have convinced us to pay up.

"Doug Kanter" wrote in news:4svBe.1174$ [e-mail]:

[Doug Kanter]

"Easy" is an understatement. I got mine from a friend who simply ripped pieces out of her garden (and I do mean RIPPED - the stems were jagged). When she arrived with the gift, she tied each stem in a loose overhand knot and said "They root better if you do that". Stuck them in the ground, and two weeks later, they were rooted. I didn't question the knot idea because this was a woman you could not debate anything with unless you had 4 hours and plenty of pretzels and beer, which I did not at the moment.

[Jennifer]

Because the leprechauns drank it all. Damn leprechauns.

-- Jennifer

[Jean]

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Yarrow and Cosmos for sale at the nursery this year. They were priced at $3.99 per plant. Yikes! I'd almost pay someone to dig up and take away some of mine.

My pachysandra came from a woodsy part of a friends property. It was in a place where they tossed there weeds, and it had taken root and was almost taking over. It was so dark in there during the day you could have used a flashlight. This was a few years ago, but I bet if I went back there would be plenty more by now.

People pay for the convenience, or they don't know any better. ; )

In a yard where I was working one day, the homeowner brought me a flat of ajuga to plant for her. I told her she could return it and I would bring her all she wanted from my own yard. She just shrugged her shoulders, and said it didn't cost much. ($25.00 I looked)

BTW, it's not there anymore. heh heh

[DrLith]

There was someone at the farmer's market selling 4" tall mimosa seedlings for $4.00 a pop. And here I am pulling them up all over the place and tossing them on the compost heap!

[Mike]

The pachysandra seems to be getting overgrown by weeds, which I'm pulling weeekly. I haven't been water it.

Mike

[Mike]

One local nursery charges $39.99 for flat 3' x 3'. Which, I guess, isn't so expensive?

Mike

[Mike]

A thanks you note to the responders of my post.

I pulled a lot of weeds, spread peat mulch and water daily. Well, the pachysandra is thriving. A buddy also advised me the cherry tree is using the bulk of the mosture. Any suggestions for another plant to use to breakup the pachysandra?

Mike

[Stubby]

I like sweet woodruff. An you can use it to make Mai Wein in the spring.

Mike wrote:

[William Wagner]

AKA May Wine

Large chilled wet glass bowl coated with Sugar

10 % white wine two bottles or more 3 cups of sugared strawberries from day before 1/2 cup Woodruff flowers floating about

Add friends

Bill

PS 1 plug of woodruff 30 years ago yielded 40 by 160 feet woodruff patch. Makes easy gifts.