5 Fast-Growing Ground Cover Choices For Difficult Locations

There are times when any gardener needs a quick growing type plant for fast covering of bare soil in beds or on a sloped bank. Perhaps you have just started a new perennial bed, and would like a way to fill in the bare spots until the perennials have reached their mature growth. Or you have planted trees and need a ground cover that can tolerate the shade below its branches.

Areas of bare ground can be transformed quite quickly with a carpet of low growing plants. Bare soil is a magnet for weeds, which if allowed, can become established and set seed very quickly. On banks, erosion is a more serious problem from both wind and rain. Planting these spots with fast growing cover plants not only solves these two potential problems, but makes areas more attractive.

Groundcover

Variegated periwinkle (Vinca major) is one of the best choices for a large area that needs a fast growing and vigorous ground cover. With its white and green perennial leaves and its pretty blue-violet flowers, it does need to be sited with care since it will spread very quickly. Long shoots grow almost overnight, and will re-root where they touch the soil. These hardy plants flower best with some sun, but will also grow well in shade where the variegated foliage adds a light touch. One warning - this can become invasive quickly if not controlled.

5 Fast-Growing Ground Cover Choices For Difficult Locations

Serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) is another good choice where a fast growing ground cover is required. With clusters of lavender-blue star shaped flowers, it shows well. This plant spreads by underground runners, so should not be placed where it can overwhelm other less vigorous growing plants. You can easily chop off the outer sections of the clump with a spade.

Blue catmint (Nepeta faassenii) is the third choice for an fast growing easy-cover plant. It has aromatic foliage of small silvery gray leaves and sprays of pale lavender-blue flowers. It does prefer a sunny spot, but will tolerate some shade. This plant should be located where it can sprawl over the edges of a raised bed or edge a path where its scent can be released as it is brushed against.

Prostrate junipers such as Blue Carpet (Juniperus squamata) are another good choice for ground covers. With spreading ground-hugging branches covered with silvery-blue needle-like leaves, this one looks good all year. It will grow in almost any conditions, and is particularly suitable for planting on banks and slopes.

Spreading roses (Rosa sp.) are very useful and attractive ways to cover large areas of ground. With masses of flowers, they form a prostrate carpet that looks beautiful most of the summer. The long prickly stems rapidly spread so plant these where you want to control soil erosion. Many of the new varieties of blanketing roses are trouble free and very hardy. They look particularly good tumbling over a wall or trailing down a sloped spot. Many varieties are available, in colors ranging from white through pinks and peach to vivid reds.

Choose any of these five quick ground covers for soil stabilization, weed control or just for aesthetic appeal in a difficult spot.

5 Fast-Growing Ground Cover Choices For Difficult Locations

Find Groundcover Relate Video

Hydro Seeding - Wild Flowers-Erosion control-Lawns/Grass Restoration long island Gappsi 631 543-1177 Video Clips. Duration : 5.38 Mins.

HYDRO SEEDING Hydroseeding is a fast, cost effective way to have a new lawn that will turn your neighbors green with envy. The cost to have your new lawn hydroseeded is less than 1/4 the cost of using sod, and in a few weeks you will have a better appearing lawn with no need to worry if the sod will take. Your lawn will be sprayed with a protective mulch covering that has an attractive green appearance. A special blend of seeds will be used that will be chosen for the conditions and requirements you have & depending on exactly what you want done with your grass. The factors that may go into the choice may be the amount of sun, shade, the terrain, the type of soil and if you have children or pets. Your lawn will be hydroseeded with a tested, high quality, certified turf mix. Germination time will depend on the weather, the time of year, the amount of water, the area you live in and other factors. Usually grass will be visible in 5-7 days. Here are some of the other benefits of Hydroseeding.. ■Quicker Germination ■Better moisture retention ■Better seed to soil contact ■Hydro seeding mulch contains no weed seed unlike straw or hay ■Areas such as hillsides and narrow areas that are difficult or impossible to dry seed can be done easily ■No straw or netting to remove ■One step and very uniform application ■Holds soil in place better than dry seeding ■Both hydro seeding and sod require watering but the watering requirements for hydro seeding are less ■Hydro seeding ...

Keywords: Hydro Seeding, hill erosion control, fast growing grass seeds, ground cover grasses, Rolando, Adamovicz, Giuseppe, Abbrancati