I need to plant a ground?

Question

cover on the side of my home. (Maybe ivey) The hill is a little steep to mow. When and how do I do this and what is a good plant for WV? Thanks

Answer 1

Thank you for including your general location, it helps us to make recommendations for planting.

If you want this ground cover to just crawl, and not climb, I'd move you toward Periwinkle (Vinca minor), there are many forms, with different colors and some with variegated leaves. Vinca is good for shaded to partly shaded areas. In a sunny location consider Sedum. There are many-many to choose from.

If you're area is a whole lot of square feet, I would also use some larger perennials or low shrubs to add interest to the area. Which to choose would be determined by how much sun and water was available. Not knowing that I can't make any strong endorsements, but a few to think about... Daylily (Hemerocallis), Hosta, spreading juniper (Juniper horizontalis), Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus) or Nikko Deutzia (Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko').

I hope that this helps

Answer 2

Arctostaphylos uva-ursil or Bearberry weaves twining branches to form a flat mat covered in glossy leaves that are deep green in summer and bronze-red in winter. It will survive heat and humidity with good drainage. Pink blooms in Spring followed by bright to dark red berries. They are drought, wind and salt tolerant once established. Ht. 3-8”; Sandy, acidic, well drained soil; Never fertilize
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/aruv.htm
My choice for sandy soil under and a shade tree was to grow three plants in a mixture. I grow Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum' or variegated gout weed with Wood Sorrel, Oxalis violacea, and Sweet Woodruff known as Galium odoratum . The later two are for their winter & spring display while the gout weed dominates in summer. The blend gives me a perennial carpet of color.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodruff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxalis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegopodium_podagraria

Wire vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris) is another low growing plant with glossy, dark green foliage. Wire vine needs to be sheared or mowed once in spring to refresh and thicken the plants.

Another lovely choice is Pachysandra terminalis. It does very well in shade with periods of dryness.
Specialists in the growing of ground cover plants since 1937
http://www.peekskillnurseries.com/pachysandra.html
http://hcs.osu.edu/pocketgardener/source/description/pa_nalis.html

Evergreen strawberry Fragaria 'Pink Panda' or other flowering forms. Strawberries spread rapidly even into shade. I found this out the hard way. No berries in the shade just lots of plants. However if you have sun you get berries.
http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/fruitnuts/strawberries.asp

California lilac, Ceanothus for zone 7 - 10. This is as dark a green as possible with lovely dark lavender blooms. They get 1-2' tall and 6 feet wide. Evergreen.
http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/167.htm

C. griseus horizontalis ‘Carmel Creeper’, 'Yankee Point'
http://www.monroviastyle.com/PlantInf.nsf/709359cd399269ec8825684d0078b8fd/69e4fb4865724da18825684d0070d8a4!OpenDocument
http://www.laspilitas.com/groups/ceanothus/Northern_california_lilacs/Northern_california_ceanothus.html
http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Ceaguide.htm

Answer 3

Ivy or Vinca maybe, how much sun does it get? RScott