Groundcover Advice Needed

I need to plant some grouncover on our yard and was hoping to get some suggestions and options. We want something to contain the dirt and water well. The yard faces south, but there are a lot fot rees there so it’s spotty afternoon sun at best. The other variable is our little dog that goes back there. The dog’s is small and doesn’t run back there much, but the I’m sure there’s some hardiness factor to consider there. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We have some Ivy, so no more of that. Most local nurseries suggest Pachasandra, and though I might go that route, I wanted to see if there are any toher interesting options that will work for us. Thanks!

xistent

in Garden 12 years and 6 months ago

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dancingirl | 12 years and 6 months ago

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creeping plumbago has bright pretty blue flowers…I like lamium but find it difficult to grow.  Can’t stand ivy!

nf85 | 12 years and 6 months ago

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Ajuga, as others have suggested, is a good choice. I like thyme, too–hardy and it smells good when crushed underfoot. I haven’t grown lamium myself but it has been suggested to me as a good groundcover. I use lady’s mantle (alchemilla) a lot–not exactly a groundcover, more of a mounding plant, but if it’s happy it spreads to the point of invasiveness. Sweet woodruff is another exuberant grower, and very pretty. Lastly, I’ll echo the ivy comments: when we moved into our house it took me 6 hours straight of backbreaking work with a crowbar before I got all the ivy out–and that was in a tiny front garden!

ProHeights66 | 12 years and 6 months ago

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Consider ground sedum.  Very hardy in the shade.

xistent | 12 years and 6 months ago

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Thanks for the suggestions. All to consider except vinca major (perriwinkle) as is poisonous if my dog eats it. going to look into creeping thyme & ajuga.

gardenchill | 12 years and 6 months ago

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I agree, ajuga is pretty. Also, perriwinkle. Nice ground cover with pretty, small purple flowers.

RBCG | 12 years and 6 months ago

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I’m a big fan of ajuga. You can get a lot of different varieties with different leaf sizes, colors, etc. Attractive, not too invasive, and has a nice early bloom.

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 6 months ago

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Have a look at vinca major and creeping thyme

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 6 months ago

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I got English Ivy.  Don’t use it.  It really takes over.  You have to trim it from the walkway 2-3 times each Summer.  Use pachysandra…much easier to control and less invasive