We have a tiered yard, and have almost cleared the first tier (it's about 5' x 25'.) We can't get a lawn mower onto it safely, so I need a ground cover that will help slow the flow of heavy rains toward the house.
it will butt up to some ivy that we are leaving in place for the time being.
Thoughts? Resources?? Thanks.
2006-09-24 07:22:28 · 6 answers · asked by Love2Sew 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I'm in Northern Virginia, which I believe is 6a?
2006-09-24 07:50:02 · update #1
Climate is the # 1 thought here and do you water the tiers. Have you considered that the Ivy unless you prune it often will choke out any new stuff in a short time.The light is the next thing to consider, what kind of soil or is it rocky if so maybe you need to go with ornamental rock and some driftwood accents. Without knowing the answer to some of the important information, here are some ideas. Strawberries, Vinca, Ajuga -dragons blood is a dark red, Seedum-is a bright green color, Crown Vetch is great for areas that have a tendency to be in the hot sun and dry, it flowers in a number of colors white, purple and yellow. These are all available at discount stores or local plant nurseries. Since you live in northern VA the suggestions would all be valid.
2006-09-24 11:13:45 · answer #1 · answered by Kdid49 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are lots of great plants that are ideal for your situation. Most people don't think of them but daylillies are a great groundcover. The roots hold the soil on slopes wonderfully. You can get some that grow about 3 feet but dwarf varieties are available. Plus they are a very tough and non-demanding plant. Lady's mantle(alchimella vulgaris) has pretty yellow flowers but the foliage is interesting also. It traps the raindrops and the leaves sparkle after rain.
For smaller groundcovers, you might consider dead nettle (some have variegated leaves), ajuga (burgundy leaves with pretty blue flowers in spring), creeping sedums (drought tolerant), low growing thymes, creeping jenny monneywort ( lysimachia nummularia-- great for shady areas but does well in sun).
2006-09-30 18:07:50 · answer #2 · answered by Garfield 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think one of the prettiest ground covers for the Cold country would be creeping Pholx. It comes is a variety of colors, pink, white, purple and a red and it spreads magnificently. Every spring it looks like a carpet of beautiful color and then it is a nice dark green foliage the rest of the year. It grows on slopes and will eventually trail over the edge of your tier if you want. Just trim it if you don't. It is winter hardy in the cold climates and I think you would like it. Hope this helps!
2006-10-01 13:44:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dwarf Perriwinkle is my favorite in my area (WA state). It has long stringy, vine like branches covered with tiny green leaves with purple little flowers blooming all spring and summer. The branches creep out all over and the roots spread underground to help with the water flow from the rains and produce more plants further along the area. GOOD LUCK !
2006-09-29 17:55:42 · answer #4 · answered by Jae 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You didn't indicate your climate zone, but if winter is not too severe, you might consider asian jasmine. It's a very hardy ground cover, and it tends to strangle out weeds. In addition, it is not impacted by Round-up herbicide, so you can spray grasses that my try to grow in to the jasmine
I have great success with it on the Gulf Coast.
2006-09-24 14:45:58 · answer #5 · answered by richard Alvarado 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I like ajuga for a groundcover. Its pretty with the blue flowers when it blooms and it grows well without being aggressive.
2006-09-28 18:16:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋