Sun lovers
With summer almost here and the promise of a long hot one, there’s no better time to be planting ground covers to aid in water conservation.
old fashioned, floriferous favourites include silver foliaged snow-in-summer (Cerastium), white flowering Anthemis cupaniana and the lovely pale yellow form Anthemis ‘ors EC Buxton’, lamb’s ears (Stachys), blue flowering Convolvulus sabatius and the gorgeous pincushion flower (scabious).
Dry-tolerant succulents are easy to grow and make perfect gap fillers. Simply break rooted pieces off established plants and pop them in the gaps with a few river stones thrown in for good effect.
oy favourite ground cover types include bright yellow Sedum mexicanum, bluish-purple Sedum ‘Bertram Anderson’ and icy-blue Senecio mandraliscae.
If swathes of colour are your preference, check out the scores of new varieties of perennial petunias, perennial verbenas and African daisy (osteospermum). Bred for stunning colours, mass-produced flowers and a tight growth habit, these three will spread quickly to create a thick mat of brilliant colour all summer long.
Good old gazanias and arctotis – perfect for hot, dry banks – are making a comeback, as are dainty diascias. Improved forms of sutera (aka bacopa) are also a worthwhile investment for plugging gaps and suppressing weeds.
Shady characters
Densely shaded areas, packed with tree roots and consequently very dry soil, are difficult at the best of times. Clivia, although not carpeting, is one plant that does thrive in these conditions, slowly but surely bulking up to eventually provide spectacular spring displays of orange flowers. Shade-tolerant bromeliads and Japanese spurge (Pachysandra) are also good choices.
Areas with more light open up the range of plants that can be grown. Scented violets, Bishop’s hat (Epimedium), impatiens, lungwort (Pulmonaria) and trailing purple tradescantia all grow well in medium shade.
Taller, upright growing plants for medium shade include native hen and chicken fern, renga lily and dianella.
In areas that receive some sun, plant ajuga, creeping Jenny (Lysimachia), pratia, mazus and Spanish shawl (Schizocentron). Tufted green or black mondo grass is another excellent choice but will take longer to fill the gaps.
Green and serene
If you prefer the minimalist look or want to impart a more calming effect, go for green. Native coprosmas and junipers make some of the best drought-tolerant, weed-suppressing ground covers for sunny and exposed areas. Their tiny leaves and tightly knitted stems also provide a lovely fine texture, which contrasts well with bold foliage plants.
Japanese spurge is the best all-green choice for dense shade, while the soft, lush foliage of native Fuchsia procumbens looks fantastic sprawling through the undergrowth in medium shade areas.
To fill bare spots and soften the edges of shaded borders and subtropical gardens, pop in a few baby’s tears (Soleirolia). I guarantee you will love the little mounds of dainty foliage that hug the base of other plants, creating the cutest ground cover ever!
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
