GROUND COVERS

     
Many plants can be used as a ground cover. Dwarf varieties of holly, pin, flowering shrubs, etc., are used for selected sites. Most ground covers are inexpensive small plants that can be used in large quantities for covering an area where grass will not thrive because of shade, poor or rocky soil, or steep slopes.
         
     
PLANTING Cultivate soil if possible 2 to 4 inches deep. Mix organic material to this depth such as peat moss, bark mulch, cottonseed hulls. A small amount of fertilizer such as 10-20-10 can be mixed into entire bed at 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft.
   
   
 
CARE Regular watering and weed control are essential the first year. A good 1 to 2 inch mulch of back or cottonseed hulls helps in weed control. any weeds that appear should be pulled so as not to disturb roots of good cover. Most ground covers take a year to cover at recommended planting distance. Many can be planted further apart, but will take longer to be solid.
   
     
RECOMMENDED GROUND COVERS
     
AJUGA, Reptans, Rubra Popular bronze purple leafed variety with blue spikes of bloom in April. Best in shade or part sun, with good drainage and moisture in dry periods. Mulch is good. Attractive most of the year. Other varieties available with white or pink blooms. Height 3 to 6 inches. Space 12 inches apart.
         
EUONYMOUS COLORATUS, Purple leaf winter creeper A fast growing evergreen with wine purple leaves in winter. Good for sun or shade. Height 6 to 12 inches. Will do well on slopes and poor soils. Space 12 to 18 inches.
EUONYMOUS, Longwood A dainty small leafed fast growing evergreen for confined areas. Easily kept in bounds in sun or shade. Grows to 6 inches high. Space 12 to 18 inches apart.
   
FERNS, HARDY Many varieties can be used in shade for a natural effect.
         
FESTUCA, Glauca Grass Used more as an accent than as a ground cover. Bright blue foliage year around will grow 6 to 12 inches tall and wide. Does not spread.
         
IVY, ENGLISH Most popular ground cover for sun or shade. Needs good care in sun to get established. Slow growing first year but rapid afterwards. Evergreen for slopes, walls, trees, stumps, etc. Space 6 to 12 inches apart. Grows 3 to 6 inches tall.
         
HOSTA LILY Many varieties can be used as large ground cover or border plant. They die to ground each winter, come out early spring. Luxurious foliage and attractive blooms.
     
JUNIPERS Many varieties are useful for sun or part shade. Heights from 3 inches to several feet.
LIRIOPE Very hardy evergreen grass like plant for sun or shade. Height 8 to 12 inches. Space 6 to 12 inches apart. Variegated variety is slower growing and takes less maintenance.
MONDO GRASS, Ophiopogon Very small grass like evergreen for sun or shade. Excellent ground cover or border plant. Slow growing first year; rapid afterwards. Space 6 to 12 inches apart.
     
 
LONICERA-HONEYSUCKE. PURPUREA Very hardy fast growing for ground cover in large areas. Will climb on trees, fences, etc., in sun or shade. Pink and yellow fragrant blooms all growing season. Space 1' to 2' apart.
PACHYSANDRA, Japanese Spurge Evergreen for shade only. Does best in acid soil; useful with azaleas. Slow growing, good for border. Plant 6 to 8 inches apart. Grows 6 to 8 inches high.
         
         
MONEYWORT-Green or Gold Will grow almost anywhere it can be kept moist. Small leaves and yellow blooms. Very fast spreading. Space 12 inches apart.
SEDUM Not particular about soil. Varieties are useful in dry, poor soil in sun or part shade, in rocks or slopes. Evergreen foliage with bloom of white, yellow, or red.
         
VINCA MAJOR Fast growing evergreen ground cover for sun or shade. Spreads fast. Has blue flowers in spring. Height 12 to 18 inches tall. Space 12 to 18 inches apart.
VINCA MINOR Small leaf evergreen more refined than above variety for shade or part sun. Blue flowers in spring. Height 6 inches. Space 12 inches apart.

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