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Sun loving groundcover for under lawn furniture

16 years ago

I have a large, open lawn with adirondeck chairs in the middle. We love to sit there n the open space. Each week the furniture is thrown to the side by the guys who mow the lawn. Simple solutions haven't worked. I have spoken to them, I've even tried a different mowing company...I can't mow the lawn, and they are 4 heavy pieces....and so now I am thinking of planting a grass or groundcover in that area (a sort of natural patio which from afar will look like grass). What would be durable enough and withstand the grass invading it. We currently have a lot of ajuga in the grass as well as a beautiful little purple blue flower and violets. Would any of those or a combo work?? Any ideas? Thanks.Nancy

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Comments (6)

redneck_grower
16 years ago
I'm not sure I entirely understand what you are looking for. Will the area you are planting be mowed? How much foot traffic?

Some of the low groundcovers I have that have spread into my grass lawn include Ajuga, Fragaria chiloensis, and Potentilla neumanniana.
nancy0903
Original Author
15 years ago
REdneckgrower:
Sorry if it wasn't clear. The plan would be to have an area that didn't need mowing so that the furniture could remain in its place. Not a lot of foot traffic. The groundcover would need to be hardy enough so that the grass would not encroach (and therefore the area would need to be mowed). I don't mind pulling the grass as the new groundcover got established but once established relatively free of maintenance. Nancy
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I've been pleasantly surprised by the durability of ajuga reptans, just about any variety of it. I thought it needed a cooler climate, until I saw that it had turned wild and was beneath the grass in several spots in my lawn. Right in there with some wild violets too. So taking a hint from what worked, I bought more ajuga, and it is all living in both my south Alabama garden and in our Massachusetts garden which is a zone 5B. Awesome plant. I love the bluish-purple fuzzy flower spikes it sends up too.
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Hey, you might be in my neck of the woods...similar style homes where I live. I've had pachysandra (japanese spurge) in both full sun and full shade, and they've done spectacular in each area. I supplement water in full sun when needed, but have never had issues with browning. Stays evergreen for me year round, tolerates snowblowing in the winter along with the driveway salt. I would recommend fertilizing upon planting and each year in early spring, though not a requirement. They like acid based soil - I use a tomato fertilizer, or sometimes I've used the all purpose 15-30-15 Miracle Gro. Either would be fine. Water frequently until established. **I would highly recommend a light (shredded) mulch the first year, that will carry over to year two, and by the third year it will not be necessary.** Space approx 8" apart and within three years they'll fill in completely (keep the ground moist to encourage growth) - once established, they're VERY hardy and a beautiful groundcover also effective for choking out weeds (or anything else you plant there for that matter). I planted this in an area where I could not get rid of bishops weed for the life of me, and within a couple of years it was wiped out completely. Plant it deeper than it was in the flats to encourage more root growth. They have a fairly shallow root system, not invasive by any stretch of the imagination but will spread by underground runners if not contained. I don't have this problem because it's between a retaining wall and a sidewalk, but if you will be planting among other perennials, I'd recommend a plastic border. This is one of the very few plants to grow successfully (thrive, actually) under evergreens. The only place I have NOT been successful in growing this is next to my overtowering maple on easement lawn - the roots of the tree stand at ground level, not enough depth to the topsoil for the pachy to spread their roots. I COULD add more soil to this area, but not sure how healthy that would be for the tree?? I do have Vinca growing under this tree, but it grows VERY slow for me (not enough moisture?), and overall I'm not impressed with it -not much presence so to speak, and IMHO Vinca would look better in an elevated bed surrounding a tree rather than as a singular groundcover as a whole. Once you have pach, you'll never go back. LOL Good luck!
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1. Purple wintercreeper is only minimally "purple" in winter but can develop a number of problems and not a highly recommended plant for your area. And the quickness of its spread is kinda relative - even in my zone I do not consider it very fast. 2. Leadwort is not evergreen, the blue is rather intense and yes, it IS of doubtful hardiness for you. 3. Vinca needs at least part shade. But should be hardy. I'd consider ajuga, cotoneaster or juniper. All are tough, durable plants hardy enough for your zone. Different ajuga varieties are available with colored foliage and most will have attractive blue flowers. Cotoneaster comes in both deciduous and evergreen forms, spreads rapidly and produces berries. Some cultivars do develop fall/winter color. Junipers don't do much other than cover the ground but they are excellent for sunny slopes and extremly low maintenance and drought tolerant once established. Just make sure you select true groundcover forms, like Juniperus horizontalis, as many others will grow far too tall and leggy. They do come in a range of foliar colors as well, from mint green to blue to golden yellow.
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redneck_grower
15 years ago
OK, got it. I also should have asked about exposure; sun? shade? part sun/shade?

Anyway, I already mentioned a couple I like. I have a large space with a combination of Fragaria chiloensis and Potentilla neumanniana. There is a nice contrast between the foliage of these two, and there are yellow flowers on one, white on the other. Once established, it completely carpets the ground. I have it interplanted with some Sedum. Looks real nice.

If you're looking for a more 'grass-like' look, but don't want to mow, you might consider Ophiopogon, Mondo Grass. But, it will need some shade, and takes a while to establish a dense groundcover.

Vinca minor is nice. I also like variegated, small-leaved Hedera (ivy). I use some Sedum in smaller places.

For taller groundcovers, I use Euonymus fortunei 'Colorata', or Campanula takesimana (be careful of this one, and some other Campanulae, as they may/will invade your lawn!), or Sasa veitchii (a small bamboo; will also spread into your lawn, so you'll have to curb it, mow it out of the lawn, or periodically cut the rhizomes with a shovel; real pretty, though).

I'm sure others will pipe in with their favorites. Cheers!
redneck_grower
15 years ago
Ooops, I said I didn't ask about sun exposure, but it's in the title of your post! You said SUN LOVING..., and I failed to notice that; sorry. So that will limit some of the above choices.
nancy0903
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks. I love both the fragaria and the potentilla (especaially the potentilla). ANd they both seem to like sun. Do you order them from a catalog
N
redneck_grower
15 years ago
Yes, they both like sun. And, they are relatively drought tolerant once established. I'm sure you can find them online, but I'm not sure where. They are easy to propagate, so they should be all over the place.

I originally bought mine years ago at Home Depot in a 6-cell pack, though I've not seen them around since. I'm sure your local nursery could order them for you, if all else fails.

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