2016 Featured Plant Information - Groundcovers


Soil Preparation:
The goal of good ground cover is to attractively spread
across an area - hopefully year after year. In order to
encourage healthy and substantial growth, the area
needs to be properly prepared. Here are steps to
proper preparation:
• Have soil tested to determine fertilizer and lime
requirements (soil testing easy and free for most of
the year - available thru Buncombe County
Extension Office)
• Remove all weeds prior to planting
• Work the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches and work in
2 inches of organic matter (compost).
Care:
FR E NC H B ROA D
R I VE R G AR D E N
For more information on ground covers including
how to prepare the soil prior to planting as well as
planting and care tips, see HGIC 1100 by the Clemson Cooperative Extension
see
the N.C. State Cooperative Extension website
at https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/category/groundcover/
We all have that space in our garden that
we would like to fill with a beautiful low
needs if planting in summer)
that will not have time to harden off before winter. )
• Prune most ground covers in early spring.
Ground Covers
For more information on plants to use as ground covers
• Water as needed (pay special attention to water
after September as that will encourage new growth
FO U NDAT IO N
http://www.clemson.edu.extension/hgic
• Add a 2 inch layer of mulch after planting to discourage weeds
• Fertilize a month after planting and then once in
spring, summer and September. (Do not fertilize
C LU B
JOIN US IN SPRING 2017
WHEN
O U R F E AT U R E D P L A N T
WILL BE TRILLIUM
plant that will spread quickly and add texture
and beauty to our outdoor space. The right
plant in the wrong spot will not thrive, but
match the correct ground cover plant to the
right location and your efforts will be richly
rewarded. This brochure offers some general
advice on popular ground covers for various
locations in your yard.
Ground Covers
Ground Covers
Deer Resistant
for Part to Full Shade Include:
for Sunny Spots Include:
Ground Covers
Hexastylis arifolia (Little Brown Jug) shade loving
evergreen wild ginger named for its unusual flower forms clump of 6”-8” - slow growth rate
Iris tectorum (Roof Iris) full sun to part shade - good in
mass and in wet areas - can divide in fall - slow to
moderate growth rate
Pachysandra spreads in full or part shade - try
varietals such as the native Allegheny spurge slow to moderate growth rate
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear) prefers well-drained
soil - divide in spring - moderate growth rate
and seeing the sedums, so beautiful just yesterday
Cotoneaster tolerates drought - many varietals
available —slow to moderate spreader
a four-legged visitor overnight. Although there are
Chrysogonum virginianum (Green and Gold ) yellow star flowers - does best in part shade moderate to rapid growth rate
Epimedium (Barrenwort) light to moderate shade available in many varietals with different color flowers
- moderate growth rate
Tiarella (Foam flower) prefers moist soil - divide in
spring - full to partial shade - moderate growth rate
Phlox Stolonifera (Creeping Phlox) part shade to
sun - rapid growth rate
Iris Cristata (Dwarf Crested Iris) use in mass in part
shade - slow to moderate growth rate
Others include: Lamium (dead nettle), Meehania
cordite (creeping mint), Mosses, Non-Invasive Ivys
(NOT English Ivy-invasive)
Viola labrodorica (Labrador Violet) spreads
aggressively by creeping stem and self-seeding rapid growth rate
Sedums (Stonecrops) drought tolerant, attract butterflies - many varietals including Sedum spectabile and
John Creech - moderate growth rate
Ophiopogon japonicus (Mondo grass) good in sun
to shade, needs well-drained soil - moderate growth rate
Carex (Sedge) easy to grow ornamental grass that
comes in many varietals - moderate growth rate
Others include: Rubus calycinoides (creeping
bramble), Dwarf Plumbago, Hardy Ice Plant,
Juniperus varietals, and Creeping Thyme
Many Western North Carolina gardeners know the
pain of walking out into their garden one morning
afternoon, have been eaten down to the ground by
many strategies for discouraging deer and rabbits,
the easiest path is to plant ground covers they don’t
usually like (caveat here - in seasons when their favorite plants are under stress, deer have been
known to eat virtually anything).
Here are a few ground covers deer will generally
avoid:
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)
Chrysogonum virginianum (Green and Gold)
Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle)
Allegheny Pachysandra
Cotoneaster