Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Grow to ground
Ground cover plants can add so much to your plot but it’s very important to match up your choice with just the right position to reap the benefits
Planting up your garden can be done for many purposes. Climbers for wall cover, trees for height, mid-sized shrubs in borders and bedding plants for pots.
A good selection will provide a lush, well-proportioned garden with yearround interest. But ground cover plants can be the icing on the cake.
KEEP COVERED
Adding ground cover to your garden has several advantages. Firstly, it’s really good for the air as you can add purifying plants in a higher concentration, and this means that ambient air temperatures are also reduced.
Ground cover provides a safe haven for a wide variety of wonderful wildlife and inviting them in will increase the biodiversity in any given space.
Finally, it acts as a barrier to rainwater and risks of flood and it protects the condition of soil against eroding weather, as well as surprising weed growth—so opting for this vegetation can really enhance your landscape.
CARPET OF COLOUR
While ground growing plants, or spreaders as they’re sometimes known, provide a shielding layer, they also give something beautiful to look at the front of borders.
Many different types are as attractive as they are functional. Periwinkle is a phenomenal spreader. It carpets an area with bright purple flowers that float over its dark emerald leaves.
There are also variegated leaved varieties, with a green and gold flush.
Available in two forms, the Vinca major variety has larger leaves, around the size of a two-pound coin, whilst Vinca minor’s are a pound coin in size.
Both grow brilliantly in shade – so if sun is at a minimum, this will work.
Cotoneaster dammeri (bearberry) is a little plant that gives so much. Alongside its creeping effect it’s in flower during spring and the veiny leaves are dusted with clusters of small white or pink coloured flowers.
In autumn, bright red berries emerge where there once was floral decoration – with bold bursts of colourful fruits which the birds will also enjoy as a food source.
Another beautiful plant is Hypericum calycinum (rose of Sharon) which spreads but is tidy. Upon a perfectly formed mound are bright gold star-shaped flowers with a central powder-puff of anthers. This is very tolerant of most locations but thrives in dry and sunny sites.
GROUNDED GREENERY
Ivy has so much to give as a ground cover plant, but once it takes grip it takes over. So, if you can let it go it’ll
Periwinkle’s bright purple flowers float over emerald leaves
work. As ground cover, it protects bare ground from frost and lets birds and woodland wildlife forage for food.
Hedera colchica ‘Dentata Variegata’ is an evergreen climber with creamy margined leaves that house small yellow autumnal flowers followed by black berries in winter.
Creeping juniper will give you an evergreen effect and the variety ‘Wiltonii’ is a wide-spreading conifer that forms a blue-grey tinged matt of foliage all year round.
Else, Juniperus communis ‘Repanda’ creates a low-lying carpet of green needle-like leaves that hug to the ground and are dark green and slightly fragrant in nature. ‘Blue Star’ is another variety that has a lot to offer.
It’s not a spreader but is compact and densely growing – plus its detailed foliage and subtle scent makes it a worthwhile choice for adding ornate interest to baron spots in borders.
SOMETHING SPECIAL
Plants that grow for a purpose like this can be more than just practical additions to your growing space.
Salvia (sage), for instance, covers quickly but also has flavour for cooking into pasta and stuffing. Position in a well-lit, well-drained spot and you can enjoy its ornamental offerings.
The deep green leathery leaf of Viburnum davidii is worth a second look. This has robust foliage that works well as underplanting.
Small unassuming flowers provide colour in spring, while its unusual looking blue-black berries are present throughout autumn and winter.
Euonymus fortune has evergreen interest for every occasion because you can opt for one of two colour possibilities. Variety ‘Emerald ‘n’ gold’ has variegated leaves, meaning that the leaf is two or more shades with coloured zones or patterns.
This variety has buttery yellow margins and is a climber – so if it reaches a fence it’ll happily grow up it.
Whereas ‘Emerald Gaiety’ has a cool white margin and is bushy as it grows, but both have foliage which becomes charmingly tinged pink during winter.
Ground cover plants are the full package and have lots to offer. Pick the right one for your spot and growing needs and it’ll spread plenty of perks.