looking for ground covering plants?

Question

i have quite a large area in my garden which is looking pretty grim just now. i am looking for colourful groundcovering or weed covering plants to brighten it up. parts of it are very shaded and others are in partial shade. i am a beginner at gardening and work full time so low maintenance plants would be good. any advice would be much appreciated

Answer 1

I planted vinca minor throughout my flower beds, mostly between evergreen shrubs, which are also low maintenance. The vinca is great because it's low maintenance & blooms bright, tiny purple flowers, usually in the spring & even during the summer. My only problem with it is that eventually, small blades of grass start growing up above the vinca & then it has to be hand weeded. BUT....it's still not a lot & much better than having to really weed bare soil all the time! And with any ground cover, you're going to have to do some type of weeding. Try it!!

Plus, if you plant something like daylilies spread out in small clumps in the vinca, it's really pretty all summer long. A color like yellow or orange with the purple vinca looks great.

Answer 2

Try impatients- they come in whites, pinks, fushias, reds, oranges and variegated varieties. They spread and mound as well. You don't need to deadhead them, and they are self-seeding, so they continue to bloom till frost! They will do well in shade or sun. If they are in sun, they will require a little more water. They are gorgeous and really stand out in a garden. You can plant seeds, or buy flats at your local garden center for a fast garden. They will soon start to spread, especially if you fertilize with Miracle Grow! Happy gardening!

Answer 3

Vinca minor (periwinkle). I have this in a few spots throughout my yard. It is very low maintenance and looks nice. I mulch over it for the winter with fallen leaves and just sweep them away in the spring.

Answer 4

Lysmachia, Blue Star Creeper, yellow star sedum, dianthus, creeping phlox, irish moss, yarrow, greek oregano, thymes, lambs ear

all are great will fill in quickly, and in no time you would even have some to share.

for early spring/late winter color, try planting a load of crocus or squill.

Answer 5

Try Ajuga: Be careful though, as these plants may become invasive to other areas of your garden. Good luck!

Answer 6

Because you mention 'colorful', What about the The Chameleon houttuynia or Chameleon Plant ?


http://www.smgrowers.com/imagedb/Houttuynia_Chameleon.jpg

Its heart shaped leaves are splashed with wide leaf margins of red, bronze, cream, and yellow that contrast well with the otherwise green leaf blade

Answer 7

Try vinca majour varigated

Answer 8

try going to michiganbulb.com that website will be able to tell you what's best for your zone and how to care for them.
good luck.

Answer 9

english ivy

Answer 10

ivy vine