Great Groundcovers

Ivylore
by Ivylore
Converting my backyard into a flower garden last season was a huge undertaking and I had a LOT of ground to cover (literally). I planted tons of ground covers. It was a little disheartening last year because they did not seem to be covering much ground, so to speak! But this year, to my pleasant surprise, I see that most of them have really gathered their forces together during the winter and have come back to show me what they can do. I just needed a little bit of patience. Here are some of them in their spring time glory.
Bishop's weed- green and white leaves- very pretty- AND very aggressive. You will have to watch it and keep it from taking over your garden.
I grow the bishop's weed along one of the fences and pull out regularly to keep it in check!
Golden Japanese stonecrop- so bright and looks wonderful between the stones- and still spreading!
Creeping myrtle (periwinkle)- shiny green leaves on long stems. Has pretty blue flowers right now.
Angelina sedum- so bright and cheerful!
Creeping phlox- I was so worried about this one last year- it seemed so fragile- I was afraid it wouldn't return, but it has!
In front is carpet bugleweed "black scallop"- right now has purple flowers. Later, the leaves turn really dark, almost black- very striking! Behind it is the "silver mound"- feathery and soft- looks greenish right now, but turns more silvery in color
Another carpetbuglweed "bronze beauty"- has really grown- the leaves will turn a bronze color
Trailing evergreen- grows close to the ground
Pachysandra- will grow pretty little yellow flowers soon
Red creeping sedum- the edges will turn darker red
More sedum- growing great along the garden fence- this one will grow yellow flowers
More sedum- I think it's "John Creech"
Watch out for this one! "Chocolate mint"- I planted it in plastic nursery pots in the ground because I learned it is very invasive- didn't help!- as you can see, it has definitely taken over the area in front of my raised garden. I will have to pull out or cut down a lot of it! (It really smells great, though :))
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4 of 6 comments
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jun 08, 2014
    With aegopodium, ajuga and mint on hand, you are not going to worry about things not covering the ground for long!
    • Ivylore Ivylore on Jun 08, 2014
      @Douglas Hunt I believe you're right! I'm going to have to be as aggressive with them as they are :))... Maybe I'll replant one of the carpet bugle weeds under my tree in the front- they are supposed to do OK in the shade as well- we'll see. Thanks!
  • Melody Drinkwater Wagner Melody Drinkwater Wagner on Jul 20, 2014
    BEAUTIFUL ground covers!
    • Ivylore Ivylore on Jul 21, 2014
      @Melody Drinkwater Wagner Thanks Melody! They are really coming out well this year. Love 'em!
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