5 Groundcover Plants That Won’t Take Over Your Life

If you’re searching to replace your lawn or simply fill in an empty space in your garden, there are many groundcover plants you can choose from. Some produce flowers while others have attractive foliage, but regardless of expressions you can benefit from planting something in the space to keep out opportunistic weeds. However, it’s important to consider how much time and effort you’re willing to spend on a groundcover plant, especially if you’re going to have a large area. Here we’ve put together a guide to some of the best low-maintenance groundcover plants for your landscaping project.

Angelina Sedum

Sedum is a genus of succulent plants often called stonecrops. Angelina sedum in particular makes excellent groundcover because the flowers will spread efficiently to cover a large area, but won’t grow out of control. The foliage and flowers are golden yellow and easy to propagate by rooting. The only real maintenance required for this plant is to chop the longest stems to prevent self-rooting if you’re worried about it spreading beyond its designated area.

Nepeta

Nepeta is a plant in the catmint family with purple flowers that can bloom all summer long with practically no human intervention. Some nepeta varieties are natural spreaders and can quickly take over a large area of your landscape. Others are more bushy and take up space with their volume rather than covering the ground. Either way, nepeta is excellent for keeping the weeds out of your garden and is happy with only occasional watering in the growing season.

Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme stays very low to the ground—only 3 inches tall—and will spread naturally over an area with deep pink flowers and fragrant leaves. While related to the variety of thyme used in cooking, it is not edible. However, the flowers are great for attracting bees, butterflies to your yard. Creeping thyme does best in areas with full sun and well-draining soil.

Periwinkle

Periwinkle is such an efficient and aggressive spreader that many gardeners consider it a nuisance. However, its resilience and charming purple flowers make it an excellent choice of ground cover that does not require a lot of maintenance. The leaves are dark green and glossy and grow on vines that spread at ground level. This plant loves the shade, so if you have space with little sunlight during the day periwinkle may be a perfect fit.

Rockrose

Rockrose is an evergreen shrub with hardy, colorful flowers. This tough plant is common in coastal regions as it can stand up to strong winds and salt spray without care. When grown as groundcover, all you need is a few shrubs to start with and you’ll have an area full of established roots and bright green foliage. It’s best to water them regularly after planting them but once they’ve lasted one season, they can thrive with no ongoing maintenance.

As for any type of plant, it’s crucial to research what will grow best in your particular climate. You also need to consider the specific landscape you’re working with and whether there is a significant amount of shade, full sun or combination. Regardless, you’ll find there are plenty of options for ground cover that will keep out the weeds and look attractive with only the most basic of care.

Can Homeowners Use Fast-Growing Trees To Define Boundaries & Increased Privacy?

Installing a six-foot fence generally improves backyard privacy while increasing property values. But the price tag associated with fencing materials and labor often requires homeowners to invest thousands of dollars. And after the wood or composite structure has been erected, it will require maintenance, repairs and eventually need to be replaced.

Those rank among the wide-reaching reasons an increased number of homeowners are planting fast-growing trees to define property lines and create privacy. The benefits of what many call a “living fence” usually include lower costs and enhanced natural beauty. Like traditional fences, a keenly designed landscape that uses trees can also improve property values.

How To Plant A Living Fence

Along with reduced materials costs, planting fast-growing trees lends itself to a DIY project. If you have the shovels and time, digging a few holes for relatively young trees doesn’t require a contractor. Simply create holes large and deep enough to accommodate the root system, set it in place, fill in the vacant space and water as needed. There are some items that property owners will need to know before mapping out the tree line. These include the following.

  • How close together should you plant trees for branches to overlap?

  • Do you prefer year-round privacy from evergreens?

  • Do you prefer fall foliage from deciduous varieties?

It’s also essential to consider which varieties are best suited for a particular area and soil conditions.

Popular Fast-Growing Trees For Privacy Fences

When selecting the right trees for your landscape, there are a few elements to consider. The first involves choosing varieties that will naturally overlap to form a living fence. Maples, oaks, Loblolly Pines, among others, have large canopies. They rarely grow spreading limbs near ground level. The following varieties rank among the more popular ones deployed for living fences.

  • Green Giant Thuja:

     Reaching upwards of 40 feet tall with a thick evergreen spread of 5-8 feet, this full- or partial-sun tree remains a privacy fence favorite. Known for superior density, overlapping Thuja also deter deer.

  • Leyland Cypress:

    Maturing to upwards of 50 feet in just 15 years, this variety creates an almost impenetrable privacy barrier. With a spread of up to 20 feet when planted in rows, the Leyland Cypress also manages drought well.

  • Bamboo:

    Ranked among the fastest-growing landscaping assets, Bamboo is actually considered a type of grass. Resistant to insects and pests, it’s essential to select a variety that achieves the height and clumping density necessary for living fence privacy.

Property owners can plant deciduous trees such as Dogwoods and ornamentals to add flowering beauty. Although such varieties may not effectively provide privacy, hedges can supplement gaps. Perhaps the important takeaway is that people have options beyond the products found at home improvement outlets.