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Garden Gate:  Need suggestions for ground cover  |
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Patsy
True Blue Farmgirl
592 Posts
Illinois
USA
592 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 10:48:32 AM
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I have a space about 20X15 that I need to plant some ground cover in. It is just off my front patio and then goes to an overhead trellis with honeysuckle growing on it.
The ground cover would have to be perennial, grows well in shade and likes wet feet. I would like to have something that releases fragrance when walked on but would forego that for something else. Right now there are just some homemade stepping stones to get thru the trellis into the side yard.
Any suggestions?
Blessed are those who love the soil,
Patsy
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Choctaw Mama
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Barbara
AZ
23 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 11:11:03 AM
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Patsy, Have you thought of Diacondra? If it stays wet this might be the best thing. Not sure how your winters will effect it. As far as plants Hostas love shade and water. Sholders Herb like it wet too. Good luck, check these out with your nursery person.
Don't forget to breathe! |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 11:22:06 AM
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I would suggest creeping thyme which would fill in quite quickly and be nicely scented and not unmanagable. That is, if it would be hardy in your zone. You'd have to check on that.
Di |
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lamamama
True Blue Farmgirl
255 Posts
Melanie
CA
USA
255 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 12:26:30 PM
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Besides creeping thyme, vinca vine (with the blue flower) would probably work. Not fragrent, but green all year long. I've never tried it as a ground cover, but baby's Tears likes it moist.
Good luck! |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 12:32:24 PM
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We use English Ivy. The leaves are small and the cover is thick. It will wear where there is traffic, though. But it holds the soil and is hardy to cold weather.
Ephesians 1:17 |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2007 : 9:01:43 PM
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What about sweet woodruff? You have lime colored spring growth, flowers and then fragrant foliage. Not sure if it's hardy in your zone. I also love creeping thyme, and have alot of perrenial vinca around our property. Hostas don't tolerate being stepped on very well, so I would count that out. If you aren't
going to step on it much, liriope makes a nice ground cover also and is an excellent border plant. Ivy is very tough but also very invasive, if you have a masonry house, steer clear! Depending on your sun exposure there are some great low growing sedums that will spread nicely too!
with a happy heart |
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Nance in France
True Blue Farmgirl
1438 Posts
Nancy
St. Laurent de la Salanque
France
1438 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 03:36:02 AM
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| I would hesitate to invest much in herbs like thyme because herbs usually do better in sun and like good drainage. If it is dappled shade and not absolutely shade you might have a chance. The vinca is a good idea, too. Why not put one plant of several and try them out? For herbs, Woodruff might be your best bet....or chammomile. I have grown ajuga as a groundcover and it spreads well. Has beautiful short flower stalks in early summer(mine were blue-ish) similar in appearance to sage. There are several varieties to choose from, too. And wild violets are a good bet, and wouldn't creep over the stepping stones easily. As long as you keep the stepping stones to use, whatever you choose won't be trod upon too severely. Let us know what you decide on!! Nance |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 05:57:24 AM
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I agree with Nancy -- thyme likes well-drained soil and would likely die over the winter in a wet location. Sweet woodruff should work for you -- I'm in zone 5, up by Chicago (not sure where Marshall is) and I have good luck with it. . . Except it can get dried-out and ratty-looking in mid-summer for us if we don't have enough rain (but if your location is consistently moist, it should be very happy). Ajuga is great but can be invasive right into the lawn! But I do love it and it's a carefree plant. English ivy is a strong grower but VERY invasive -- you'd probably have to prune it off your stepping stones three times a year. That said, it is a beautiful groundcover and also green all winter -- I have it and I love it and I do prune it OFTEN.
You could combine a groundcover with a few choice hostas, if you have that much room.
Oh, I'm going on and on.... sorry! |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 07:11:24 AM
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I love english ivy, you need to prune it but it is so beautiful looking and so worth it.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2007 : 07:14:23 AM
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also, go to www.parkseed.com they have a big list of groundcovers including vinca.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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oceanfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
231 Posts
Rachel
A Little Closer to Heaven
Oregon Coast
USA
231 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 10:26:01 AM
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I have some seedum that likes the damp soil. It's survived a few good freezes and snow days here, and it stays green. In the summer, it puts off pretty white flowers, but I've never noticed scent.
Rachel
See what I'm up to on my blog... http://minetothine.blogspot.com |
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shelle
True Blue Farmgirl
404 Posts
Shelle
oklahoma
USA
404 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 4:44:19 PM
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I have vinca vines growing under one of our big elms in the front yard as ground cover. Its not fragrant but it is hardy and doesnt need much once it is established.
Shelle |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4826 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4826 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2007 : 7:35:30 PM
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We used to have vinca vines in our back, shade flower bed. The former owners let them do as they please & they took the entire bed completely over. It took me a full summer to pull them out. I have English Ivy in my woods & it handles the IL seasons just fine. Ajuga,"Burgundy Glow" does quite well too, but is very aggressive.
Good luck,
Dawn in IL |
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Garden Gate: Need suggestions for ground cover |
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Need suggestions for ground cover
