Unit 73 (073); Ground Covers

1. Ground Cover Establishment

Most ground cover establishment is best if weed control is provided for several years.

Since many ground covers are shallow rooted, watering is needed during dry periods.

Some ground covers like Aegopodium podagraria or Goutweed can be very invasive,

and even the variegated form should be confined to bed with edging or concrete walks

to contain it.

Duchesnea can also be invasive and should be replaced by Waldsteinia which is similar

but not as aggressive.

Glechoma hederacea or Ground Ivy can be a lawn weed, and the variegated form

should only be used in containers or keep under tight control.

Lysimachia nummularia and the yellow leaved cultivar cv. Aurea, are attractive

creeping plants with round penny sized leaves. They can also be a little invasive.

Houttuynia cordata cv Chameleon has showy red, yellow, and green variegated leaves,

and can be invasive farther south.

The above plants are attractive but should not be allowed to grow unattended or

uncontrolled.

2. Useful Books

2. Mackenzie, David S. 1997. Perennial Ground Covers. Timber Press, 133 S.W.

 2nd Ave., Ste. 450, Portland OR 97204. 379 pages. Includes woody and herbaceous

 ground covers, along with ferns and ornamental grasses. Includes 315 color photos.

SB/432/.M336/1997 ($49.95)