Lifestyle
Ideal ground cover plants
By Debby Looney, gardening expert
Most large gardens have ‘that patch’ which is inaccessible, has bad soil, is on a ditch – a spot where all you really want is some dense ground cover to keep down the weeds. This week I hope to give you some ideas.
.
.
Firstly, as with all plants, the growing conditions need to be suitable. Often they need to be shade tolerant, as ground cover is used under trees, on shady banks and so on. Equally, they need to be drought tolerant for the same reasons. When planting your ground cover make sure to dig a large hole, up to three times the size of the pot. Fill back in with good quality top soil mixed with a rich compost – just to give them a good start in life! Water until they are rooted in, especially if under trees.
In shady spots, ivy is an ideal ground cover plant. It spreads quickly and has a glossy green leaf. I think it is an invaluable plant even though I know there is a general aversion to it! Cotoneaster is another excellent plant, hardy, able to cope with any conditions, and fast growing. ‘Queen of Carpets’ is very low growing, and tends to root easily along its way. Cotoneaster dammeri is very quick to cover ground, with long, trailing stems of up to 3m in length. It only grows to a height of 45cm. Cotoneasters have white flowers in spring, which are very popular with pollinators, and red berries in autumn, which are very popular with birds!
SOME MORE SUGGESTIONS
Persicaria family members are also ideal as ground cover plants, typically evergreen or semi-evergreen with pink flower spikes. All varieties have dense foliage making them excellent weed blockers. Persicaria amplexicaulis grows to a height of about 30cm, though the flowers float above the foliage at 60cm. ‘Firetail’ has pink flowers which are a deep burgundy near the top, ‘Firedance’ has bright cerise flowers which contrast beautifully with the foliage, while ‘September Spires’ tends more toward a muted purple. Persicaria runcinate ‘Purple Fantasy’ is grown mainly for its foliage, which is heart shaped with purple and silvery markings. Persicaria affinis ‘Superba’ is a common plant in older gardens, but is very functional. Its evergreen foliage keep weeds down, while its flowers, which start off white and mature to rose, add cheer to even the darkest corners.
Vinca, or periwinkle, is another useful plant, especially on a dry site. Evergreen, with deep green or variegated foliage, it produces white through to purple flowers almost continuously throughout the year. Vinca minor is a low ground hugging plant as opposed to its taller cousin, vinca major, which, though a ground cover, is not quite as good at keeping weeds out.
Finally, an excellent ground cover which is evergreen in all but the coldest winters, is Brunnera. It has large, heart shaped leaves with a silvery sheen and bright blue forget-me-not like flowers in the spring. It grows well in moist shade.
News
Killarney couples renew vows at St Mary’s Cathedral
Several couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries gathered last Saturday at St Mary’s Cathedral to renew their vows. The annual event, organised by Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O’Brien, is a […]
News
Trainee chef wins two medals at Chef Ireland Competition
Iryna Kravchenko, a chef trainee from Killarney studying on the City & Guilds Diploma in Food Production and Cooking Programme, has won two medals at the Chef Ireland Competition. The […]
Killarney Regatta Festival postponed due to adverse weather
IMPORTANT UPDATE Killarney Regatta Festival is now postponed due to adverse weather conditions this Sunday September 14. The following Sunday...
Last push for ‘Models in Recovery’ Fashion Show tickets
Tickets are selling fast for the Kerry Hospice Foundation’s ‘Models in Recovery’ Fashion Show, which takes place on Wednesday, September...
French classes to begin in Killarney
French language classes will begin in Killarney on September 17. The course is being led by Hélène Olivier-Courtney, a native...
2025 Cromane Seafest returns
Cromane’s Seafest returns this September with a weekend of jam-packed activities for the entire family. There will be live music,...
St Brigid’s seeks photos of past pupils in uniform
St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School is appealing to past pupils to share old photos of themselves in school uniform for...
Clifford brothers to test their game against golf’s elite
Kerry footballers Paudie and David Clifford will take on some of the biggest names in golf when they line out...
Athletic’s Luke Doolan Signs for Kerry FC
Killarney teenager Luke Doolan has signed for Kerry FC, making the move from local side Killarney Athletic. The 17-year-old forward...
Time change for Kerry team homecoming in Killarney
Celebrations are set to get underway in Killarney tonight as the Kerry team make their way back to the Kingdom...
Injured Kerry quartet return for do-or-die showdown with Cavan
by Adam Moynihan All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Final Kerry v Cavan Saturday 3.30pm Fitzgerald Stadium Key players Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Diarmuid O’Connor...
Kerry’s All-Ireland heroes launch new football camp for girls
Legendary Kerry ladies’ player Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh will be inspiring the next generation of superstars at the new Laochra football...
