Native groundcovers

leaveswave

18 years ago

MN doesn't seem blessed with a plethora of groundcovers. Do you know of any?

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Comments (4)

strix
18 years ago
There are maybe more than you'd think. I've linked to a lengthy list of the hardiest:

Here is a link that might be useful: Ground covers for tough sites
meeperx
18 years ago
Wild Strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) are nice.

I would stay away from most varieties of wild violets-they are some of the most invasive weeds in my garden.

Virginia Creeper can be very pretty on a steep bank. I have some growing up a fence-but I hear that it can be somewhat invasive as well.
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Pachysandra procumbens is the native form. It is clump-forming. The leaves are lighter green, with darker "blotches" in the spring; not glossy whatsoever, and ever so slightly fuzzy. Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge) is the spreading, groundcover type. There are several varieties of this one, some of which are more or less glossy. If you Google the botanical names you should have better luck with photos.
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With a spot that large I would probably just plant it to grass. When my Dad needs an area covered and growing quickly he mixes rye seed in with the grass seed. The rye sprouts very fast and holds the soil and the grass sprouts up in it's own time. After sowing the seed be sure to mulch the area with straw or hay to help keep it moist. I believe, though I can't say for sure, that the rye is short lived, maybe a year or two, at which point the grass would be well established, but I'd do a little research first if you decide to go that route. Then if you want some natives you can plant them too and not have to worry about doing the whole patch at once.
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Wintergreen, it is evergreen, it will grow pretty much anywhere that has an acidic soil. The entire plant is eatable, also it produces red berries in the winter months that attract wildlife. Off the top of my head botanical is spelled gaulthreia procumbens. Seeds can be found at trade winds fruit store under herbs. I have had awesome germination rates from the seeds I have purchased from them.
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zenpotter
18 years ago
Here is the list I have of Native ground covers.

Anemone canadensis (Canada anemone)
Antennaria species (pussytoes)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry)
Asarum canadense (wild ginger)
Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)
Euphorbia corollata (leafy spurge)
Fragaria virginana (wild strawberry)
Heuchera species (alumroots)
Juniperus species (junipers)
Maianthemum canadense (Canada mayflower)
Onoclea sensitilis (sensitive fern)
Opuntia species (prickly pears)
Osmunda species (ferns)
Viola species (violets)
Waldsteinia fragarioides (barren strawberry)

The plants on the list that I have so far are: barren strawberry, violets, ferns, prickly pears, wild ginger and pussytoes. The barren strawberry is the only one that is extablished enough for me to say it is a great ground cover. The others were new last year. The pussy toes I put in got washed out by a heavy downpour just after they were planted and they didn't recover so I am re-trying this year. I have a few ferns, but will add more this year.

I haven't really looked into the sedge's yet I will probably add someof those next year.

Pauline
leaveswave
Original Author
18 years ago
Ooh, that list on the Extension site isn't such a good one IMO. Most are not native and many are invasive, to the point of being blacklisted by the DNR. Also, I guess 'groundcover' is subject to interpretation. I meant to say where "plants cover the ground like a carpet" as in even one foot tall is too tall. There are a few posted though that I'm considering.

The other issue is I've been staring at this area for several years and it just doesn't 'speak' to me about what would look good there!

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Native groundcovers

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strix

meeperx

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zenpotter

leaveswave
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Native groundcovers

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strix

meeperx

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leaveswaveOriginal Author

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leaveswave
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