alternatives to ivy for small area groundcover
kentc
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
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kentc
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRelated Discussions
Rock garden, groundcovers or...? Dandelion troubles.
Comments (6)- Chemical approaches are off the table (no weed killers or anything like that. The safe alternatives such as boiling water etc, are basically a no-go as well due to the sheer amount of dandelions he's dealing with and the assumption that there are probably countless dormant seeds just waiting to sprout up at any time). dandelions are easy to kill with a selective herbicide that won't also kill the lawn. but there are so many dandlions there that I would spray it all dead with roundup then reseed fescue if that'll grow good up there, and then keep the fescue mowed tall 4-4.5" will help shade out dandelions from sprouting. but I'm sure you'll still get more dandelion but those can be selectively sprayed and then reseed again and get a thick lawn. the dandelions are only like that for a couple weeks in Spring and Fall time though, no? and the rest of the year it's almost a groundcover I don't see a problem with if he doesn't. I don't like using chemicals but they work. and can be minimal if done right. oh edit, I think canada banned chemicals, I approve... you can till it and reseed but till it finely because dandelions have a tap root like a carrot that will regrow even if cut in half, you gotta really grind them up small. can also keep it all organic no chems etc and juice the dandelion leaves they are extremely healthy. they were brought over from europe I beleive as an accent to lawns on purpose now people think they are the devil. yes putting a solid fence will help wind-blown seeds but not %100. - so making the transition into a complete rock garden wouldn't be that big of a change on an aesthetic level). rock gardens especially small rocks as someone mentioned, dirt will makes its way between the rocks and then weeds form in the rocks can become a nightmare. And fabric usually sucks and makes it worse the roots go right through and try and pull roots pulls the fabric too. plastic probably better but still can get weeds. unless you put weed preventer pre emergent (chemicals sitting there the whole year no thanks) then weeds will grow. some places just seem to get lucky and rock beds don't get too weedy even after decades but some places get real bad real quick even with crabgrass. 2. Same complete removal of the grass/ weeds, but then buying massive quantities of hardy groundcover plants (he was thinking Irish moss or related) and hoping they are all able to catch/ spread really quickly and are able to outcompete the dandelions for occupancy of the yard space I would suggest this also groundcover. find what works great for that zone. maybe also plant a shady tree(s) should help slow growth of dandelions and groundcover might prefer shade but I personally prefer a full sun yard. maybe build a canopy for a grape vine over the whole yard. maybe get a cheap tiller and till a garden each year plant veggies and stuff. mulch in between the plants with grass clippings. it's work I don't know if willing to do or if a garden 'fits' in that neighborhood but it's an option. or plant more and more shrubs, hedges, large ornamental grasses make a sort of mystical maze of dense plants. or concrete over it all if allowed. patio needs re-do polymeric sand I see bunch of weeds pavers need maintance vs concrete pad doesn't....See Morelooking for groundcover for mostly sun
Comments (13)Have used mazus for years and was surprised at the amount of sun it tolerates - it crawled over the edges of my driveway. Now it is all in sh pt/sh amd survives wo watering. In the sun I am not very interesting - vinca minor, juniper p. 'nana', "Bar Harbor-very dense cover with slight color chg in winter, juniper "Blue Pacific" -pretty color-dense, a sea of dwarf yaupons-it only takes a light mulch under these to keep all the weeds out-but pinestraw is slight problem in fall, "Clarissa" holly is much prettier to me with that nice mounded shape, but it needs some extra moisture in my yard (DIYF drip system) in the hot sun- a lot of a very L var liriope. Red groundcover roses - also need a light mulch but no extra water after the 1st 2 yrs.-dwarf daylilies. The plain green liriope is a good cover & will get very thick, & you have to mow it once in the spring & if it or the var. kind gets sun scald in winter-I just cover very lightly with some pinestraw. I have some low sedums under & around low dianthus, candytuft,& artemesias, a ton of purple heart, geranium maculatum, wine cups, low alliums,several of the old pink fairy rose,1 floral carpet rose, some lacy lilac verbena I got from PDL, "Little Grapette" - all planted too thickly with pebbles and weed barrier fabric. I deadhead in sp & when it is not too hot, -but since it is all grayish it looks OK to me when I don't. Also saponaria off. -the double rose one. Also the various GC petunias are DT, need no deadheading,are weed suppressing, and planting them each spring is really not much trouble. My peren. choices are quite dull but I was reluctant to use trays of annuals(wanted to save money) -not smart to be so rigid....See MoreLooking for Invaisive Groundcover for Dry Shade
Comments (17)Another that will spread wildly in dry shade is euphorbia -- robbii or chameleon are both good. They have neat succulent foliage, a bit less than a foot tall, with a cluster of chartreuse green (robbii) or maroon (chameleon) brachts above most of the summer. One plant will make a three foot circle in a summer. I am currently digging a bunch of e. robbii out of my iris beds, so let me know if you want it and I'll send you as much as you'd like -- I love it under my pinetrees up the slope. LynnT...See MoreWANTED: groundcover for shade, near pines, keep out other foliage
Comments (5)I've got Aegopodium (we call it Bishop's weed) and it's beautiful...if you like the woodland natural look. I grows on runners and does fill in and multiply...I'm zone 5. It all dies back in the winter. Within the last week, mine little plants have poked thru...and I've got 3 x's more than last year. I have them rambling around my iris bed right now, but plan to move them out to plant around trees near the woods. They do very well in the shade or sun. They are much more lush when the soil is moist and the sun isn't directly on them. I'll have them forever now, which is ok with me, because I've got lots of areas to plant. The variegated leaves catch the light just right as the sun goes down. They almost glow in the moonlight....and I'll have them "forever"....so, wintergreen may be a better choice for your area...lol Would anyone like to trade for some "Bishop's Weed"?...See Morekentc
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