What kind of flowers can I plant that will hug the ground and create a bed of color?

Question

They need to be able to endure direct sun, grow no taller than 6 inches, and bloom either year round or yearly.

I'm in central FL. They need to be able to endure direct sun, hug the ground, and bloom year round or yearly, something with some color. I want to create a resting place for a pet recently buried.

Answer 1

I enjoy moss roses (Portulaca Grandiflora). I particularly like the multicolored variety and have them growing around the edge of my flowerbed in front of my house. As I come up the driveway every evening, it brings a smile to my face to see the bright, cheerful blooms. Check out some lovely photos on

http://www.sd1new.net/GardenPages/moss_rose.htm

Moss roses are low, spreading succulents and are very hardy and drought tolerant. You can grow them in direct sun in very poor soil. The ones I grow require absolutely no care and have thrived in all sorts of adverse conditions. (Like most succulents, they don't care for cold weather, but I don't anticipate that being a problem in Florida.)

Answer 2

Well, petunias would meet most of your requirements, not sure how long they last down there, have even overwintered here in Oklahoma but mostly freeze out. Of course with petunias you could easily and inexpensively replace them when they get too leggy and straggly. Mexican Heather might work too, but not as showy as petunias. Almost need annuals if you want nearly continuous bloom, most perennials don't have the bloom output. My favorite flowering plant, though, is my pink oxalis, which bloom in masses of pink most of the summer, die down for a while when really hot, and are back and blooming again now. That would work too and they like full sun or shade, not picky.

Answer 3

carpet roses - plant them close together. When a bloom is spent, cut the stem down to the point where there are 5 leaves, this us usually the second set from the flower. They might grow taller if you do not cut them after blooming. Planted en masse they will produce flowers for a long period. Around the end of January you should prune all of them - they will have no leaves at this point but will start growing again rapidly until cold weather comes around.

Answer 4

The Cerastium ‘Snow in Summer’, Cerastium tomentosum, is a wonderful bright-white, star shaped flower that blooms from last spring to early summer. The silvery, mat-forming foliage looks great as a ground cover, in rock walls or between stepping-stones. It may have the tendency to spread but has no serious pests and diseases. ‘Snow in Summer’ has a plant height of 4” with a plant spread of 6-12”.
It is an easy to grow perennial requires full sun and will grow in dry to moist soils that are well drained. You'd need to sheer back ‘Snow in Summer’ after it flowers to keep it neat and compact unless you want it to spread. For a perennial that can be planted anywhere, ‘Snow in Summer’ is the way to go.

Answer 5

violas are pretty cold hardy plants make sure you get them in the 4 inch cups as they are already acclimated more than the smaller 2 inch cup trays. the violas once established in the newly planted soil will begin to grow and spread as aground cover the purple and yellow ones are my favorite. be sure to water regularly as with all transplants the root ball must stay wet. after established you can get a water soluble fertilizer with a high nitrogen numberber. such as 32-4-16 the first num. is your nitrogen this will increase bloom

Answer 6

In addition to the other suggestions, try:
Verbena Tapien-available in many colors
Creeping Thyme-like Elfin, Woolly and Lemon Creeping
Sedum-you can vary the look by chossing different foliage colors
Ajuga-available in different color foliage
Fragaria Pink Panda-a pink flowering strawberry
Phlox subulata-available in many colors

Have fun!

Answer 7

That would depend on the area you live in, the weather for your area and the direction of the sun on the area you are planting the plant. Go to a local nursery and talk with one of their people or take a look around you area and see what other people have that you like.

Answer 8

i could be somewhat cautious of floor covers that unfold promptly as they're invasive and could desire to grow to be a genuine headache. I did that when and am nevertheless pulling the flaws up from throughout my backyard. Why no longer some perennials somewhat?

Answer 9

new wave petunias