Le ground cover plants they are plants that grow low and wide, forming a vegetal "carpet" that covers the ground. They are mainly used in gardens and flowerbeds for cover the ground, reduce weeds, and decorate spaces. In practice, they form "carpets" that effectively protect the soil, harmoniously and aesthetically pleasing, with highly resistant plants, both to trampling and to drought.
But what are the most beautiful ground cover plants? And how do you care for them?
Aubretia
The most cultivated species is Deltoid aubrieta, a small perennial widely used in rock gardens and on walls. It forms cushions of pink, purple, or blue flowers starting in March, and from then on remains compact and tidy. It is an evergreen perennial, short (10-15 centimeters): between April and May, it is completely covered in small flowers, with a truly spectacular spring bloom. It tolerates cold well and prefers a sunny location with well-drained soil.
erected
The most used in gardens is the Erigeron karvinskianus, Highly prized for its spreading, drooping growth, forming small carpets of flowers. It grows low and wide (20-40 centimeters), easily spreading between walls and spreading extremely rapidly. The flowers are small. margherite light and spontaneous, white in color that turns pink over time. Erigeron loves sun and well-drained soil.
Campanula
The species used for gardens is the Campanula muralis, which creates beautiful cushions of blue or lilac bells, with soft cascades, slipping between the cracks in the stones. In many Mediterranean gardens they are often seen bellflowerthey built together, precisely because they fill the spaces between stones and walls well. Campanula muralis It grows between 10 and 15 centimeters tall, and flowers profusely. It can also be grown well in a pot, but it requires regular watering.
vinca minor
This plant grows to a height of 10 to 20 centimeters, its creeping stems spreading along the ground forming dense mats that cover the soil very well. The flowers are blue and purple, but in some cases they can also be white or lilac. vinca minor It keeps its leaves all year round and grows well in shade and partial shade. For this reason, it is often chosen as an alternative to meadow, for gardens where there are trees.
Phlox subulata
It forms colorful carpets with pink, purple, and white flowers. A very sturdy and compact plant, it reaches a height of 10-15 centimeters, but can spread up to 40-60 centimeters. The leaves are dark green and resemble moss, hence the English name. moss phlox. It tolerates drought and cold and in spring creates colourful carpets.
How to care for ground cover plants
Le ground cover plants They are generally easy to grow and require little maintenance, but some basic care helps keep them healthy and compact.
The first thing is to choose the right place:
- Full sun
- Shade or half-shade
- in this first months after planting it needs to be watered regularly.
- Once established, many ground covers require little water.
- Avoid water stagnation in the soil.
- After flowering you can shorten the plant slightly.
- It is used to:
- maintain compact shape
- stimulate new growth
- prevent it from becoming too messy.
At the beginning it is useful:
- remove the weeds manually
- mulch the soil
When the ground covers spread, they cover the ground and limit weeds by themselves.
Some species grow very quickly.
In this case you can to cut or thin out to prevent them from taking up too much space.
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