skip to main content

Texas Gardening Southern Gardening

NEED ADVICE : GROUND COVER

3 months ago

NEED ADVICE : GROUND COVER: I am in Dallas, TX Zone 8A. So we get a few hard freezes every winter. I have quite large area, part of which is under trees mostly shade and part of it gets moderate sun. Poor soil + alkaline + rocky. I want to plant evergreen EDIBLE ground cover there. The more I have explored it more confused I am getting. What are possible options? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

klem1
3 months ago
last modified: 3 months ago
I think folks might be reluctant to make suggestions due to practical considerations that don't usually arise when discussing landscaping. Most people prefer ground cover to be low maintenance above anything else so Edible really cuts the choices. Consider that production from such a larger planting of a single plant will produce far more than a family will consume. Perhaps you can diversify plantings which might look better and not all struggling at the same time due to season and other factors. So instead of primarily looking at ground covers, look at traditional garden veggies that look nice. That will require lots of replanting as seasons change so you might consider some low maintenace ground cover(s) for a few areas so you have time to tend veggie beds.
Related Discussions
Poor Ground Cover Advice
Q
Comments (3)
I like dwarf mondo grass - Ophiopogon japonicus is the name. It is not monkey grass (Liriope). When I used it, I bought it at HD and then split the clumps into two plants to make it go further. I saw an article in Southern Living about planting it in a grid pattern - worked out nice.
...See More
Need advice on selecting a ground cover to help with erosion
Q
Comments (7)
English Ivy can be very invasive in some areas. I suspect those who questioned how good it is for erosion control were thinking of areas where it out competed something better Many experts say grass...particularly American Beach Grass and perennial Beach Grass...is the best sort of plant for erosion control. Vines are often good for erosion control. I'm fond Trumpet Vine but others consider it too aggressive. Plants that are adapted to grow on beaches are good for erosion control...eg. Virginia Rose, Bearberry, Jersey Tea etc. Lowbush Blueberry is decent for erosion control, and is often found naturally on cliffs. Why do you think plants die there? What is your soil like? Wet or dry? Clay or sand?
...See More
Really need advice on ground cover stone rock
Q
Comments (4)
A lot of it comes down to what's available in your area. Up here in New England, we have lots of granite and it's not hard to find crushed granite or "turkey grit" -- small, sharp-edged pebbles of granite, granite gneiss or other such rock. But I notice that in a lot of other regions, the availability varies. You can usually order stuff special if you have the budget, and a reliable stoneyard will "import" it from another part of the country. But the places that carry only native/local materials may be able to offer only sandstone, limestone, or whatever the regional "stone du jour" happens to be.
...See More
advice on privacy planting & ground cover
Q
Comments (6)
Do you have a height restriction for the shrubs? Wax myrtle is a good choice and generally available. Another idea is 'Chindo' viburnum. Both of these can get up to 20 feet (and still be considered as shrubs). Another choice is one of the sun tolerant Anise shrubs (like Illicium parviflorum). There are also many hollies to choose from. Don't have any ideas on the groundcover except perhaps one of the clumping grasses like blue fescue (it's not a lawn grass).
...See More

Related Stories

GROUND COVERS Ground Force: 10 Top Ground Covers for Your Garden

By Carol Bucknell Garden Design

Protect your soil from weeds and drought this summer with a living mulch of ground covers

LANDSCAPE DESIGN So Long, Lawn: 6 Walkable Ground Covers to Consider

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

These trample-proof, low-water plants can lower your water bill while greening up your garden

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Dependable Ground Covers for Warm Climates

By Steve Asbell

Swap some lawn for these drought-tolerant clumping plants — and watch your maintenance efforts diminish while they easily grow

GROUND COVERS 10 Succulents That Make Pretty, Easy-Care Ground Covers

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

These low-growing succulents create interest in the drought-tolerant garden

FLOWERS AND PLANTS 8 Essential Native Ground Cover Plants for the Southeast

By Falon Mihalic

These low-growing ferns, shrubs and palms blanket the ground to help with erosion and soil moisture

0

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Bugle Weed, a Quick Ground Cover

It’s highly adaptable, suppresses weeds, reduces erosion and provide weeks of bright flowers. Just watch for invasiveness

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Weed-Smothering Ground Covers

Let these landscape plants do the dirty work of choking out weeds while you sit back and enjoy the view

GARDENING GUIDES Germander Sage Makes a Versatile Flowering Ground Cover

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Light up drought-tolerant gardens, and attract butterflies and hummingbirds, with Salvia Chamaedryoides’ vibrant blue blooms

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Essential Native Ground Covers for the Central Plains

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

These ground-level plants, for a variety of soils and sun exposures, offer benefits for pollinators

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Native Ground Covers for Tough, Dry Spots

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Sun beating down on your sandy gravel? Thick shade darkening your clay soil? There’s a ground cover here for you

More Discussions

dioecious-ness of yaupon holly

1

Foxglove in 8b brown, cut back or leave?

8

viability of Sago pups

1

Can anyone identify this ground cover?

1

MAC or New Dawn? House eater rose for DFW .

9