Can anyone recommend a fast-growing ground cover along the lines of a succulent or one that is extremely hardy? I have a large central garden bed 30 feet x 30 feet with decorative white gravel and largish plants. It is 3 feet high.
Because of weeds continually growing through (weedmat already down and poisoning required), it's getting me down. I'm looking for something that that would be 8-10 inches high at best. The ground is 90% sand.
By Rebecca from Gold Coast, Australia
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Try planting small succulents. There are dozens of varieties. In Nevada, I had hens and chicks and my tulips came up. Thanks for the reminder. I had planted some bulbs that didn't come up. My ground cover is pretty thick. That's why. Thanks!
Jennifer CA
Try moss roses (portulaca). This is not a rose but a trailing succulent. They can take extreme heat and are very easy to grow.
I don't know how well it would do up there but I grow convovulus as a ground cover also there is a prostrate form of grevillea and also a boobialla that might be OK for up there. And the old standby African daisy, but that can be invasive. You might need to check with your local council whether some of these would be regarded as feral in your area.
Thank you for the suggestions. I'm looking ideally for a smothering growth habit to prevent the weeds from coming through, and with the established larger 3' high plants doing well, a splash of colour like Portulacca or Pigface would do well.
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Q: Is there a ground cover that will let other flowers, such as bulb flowers like tulips or hyacinths, come up through it after it's established? I'd like to line my walk with a flowering ground cover, with some other flowers as accents. I wanted to use vinca (dark evergreen, not the variegated variety), but I've heard that it's so strong that it will smother any bulbs. Is this true, and if so, is there another ground cover that would allow this? Or will any ground cover be too thick?
Thanks.
KParke
A: KParke,
I see no reason why you can't plant vinca and bulb varieties together. Vinca is shallow rooted and able to out compete weeds, but shouldn't interfere with deeper-rooted bulbs or shrubs, especially early-blooming bulbs like hyacinths or tulips. If vinca starts to outgrow its space, shear it back hard in early spring. It prefers partial to full shade, so I'm assuming those are the conditions near your walk.
Daffodils are another bulb variety that would make beautiful accents with vinca's dark green, shiny leaves. Depending on your soil and light conditions, and your color preferences, you have quite a few options for ground cover. For example, several varieties of both hosta and sedum offer interesting foliage as well as colorful blooms. I've also seen vinca growing along walkways where shepherd hooks and hanging baskets were used as accents. Baskets require a bit more maintenance, but also offer you the ability to change accents at will.
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Vinca is good and it will get a little aggressive. But when the bulb's greenery dies down you can run the lawn mower over it and give it a haircut if it is getting out of hand. Pachysandra is also good, but I prefer vinca. Good luck. Gardening is such fun and if you don't like something you can always rip it out and plant something else.
Susan (09/03/2005)
By Susan M.
Sweet woodruff is also a great ground cover; it doesn't like hot sun though. Things grow up easily through it. (09/03/2005)
By Annie
Try planting small succulents. There are dozens of varieties. In Nevada, I had hens and chicks and my tulips came up. Thanks for the reminder. I had planted some bulbs that didn't come up. My ground cover is pretty thick. That's why. Thanks.
(09/05/2005)
By Jennifer from CA
