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Ground Cover Plants: A Guide for Beginners
Ground cover plants are a great way to add color, interest, and functionality to your landscape. They can be used to cover bare spots in your yard, prevent weeds, stabilize soil, and provide habitat for pollinators.
Types of Ground Cover Plants
There are many different types of ground cover plants to choose from, including:
- Flowering ground covers: These plants produce beautiful flowers that can add a splash of color to your landscape. Some popular flowering ground covers include creeping phlox, bugleweed, and catmint.
- Evergreen ground covers: These plants retain their leaves year-round, providing interest even in the winter months. Some popular evergreen ground covers include coral bells, creeping thyme, and lilyturf.
- Low-maintenance ground covers: These plants are easy to care for and require minimal maintenance. Some popular low-maintenance ground covers include barrenwort, carnations/pinks, and ice plant.
Benefits of Ground Cover Plants
Ground cover plants offer a number of benefits, including:
- Adding color and interest to the landscape
- Preventing weeds
- Stabilizing soil
- Providing habitat for pollinators
- Filling in gaps between stepping stones
- Creating a low-maintenance landscape
Choosing the Right Ground Cover Plants
When choosing ground cover plants, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Sun exposure: Some ground cover plants prefer full sun, while others prefer shade or partial shade.
- Soil conditions: Some ground cover plants prefer well-drained soil, while others can tolerate poor soil conditions.
- Hardiness zone: Make sure to choose ground cover plants that are hardy in your climate zone.
- Maintenance requirements: Some ground cover plants require more maintenance than others. Consider your lifestyle and budget when choosing ground cover plants.
Planting and Care
Ground cover plants are relatively easy to plant and care for. Here are a few tips:
- Planting: Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of the plant. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, tamping down gently to remove any air pockets. Water the plant deeply.
- Watering: Water ground cover plants regularly, especially during the first growing season. Once established, most ground cover plants are drought-tolerant and will only need to be watered during periods of extended drought.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize ground cover plants once a year in the spring. Use a balanced fertilizer that is appropriate for the type of ground cover plant you are growing.
- Mulching: Mulching around ground cover plants helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Troubleshooting
Here are a few common problems that you may encounter when growing ground cover plants:
- Weeds: Weeds can be a problem in ground cover plantings, especially in the first year or two after planting. To control weeds, mulch around the plants and hand-pull any weeds that do appear.
- Pests: Ground cover plants can be susceptible to a variety of pests, including aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. To control pests, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Diseases: Ground cover plants can also be susceptible to a variety of diseases, including powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot. To control diseases, use fungicides or neem oil.
With proper care and maintenance, ground cover plants can be a beautiful and functional addition to your landscape.
