Fill In the Gap

Every yard has at least one spot that could benefit from the soft touch of creeping ground covers.

Walking barefoot through a garden is one of those secret joys we love as children but seem to forget about when we become adults. This secret is being rediscovered as the use of creeping ground covers becomes more and more popular in landscapes throughout the South. There's really nothing like the feel of creeping Jenny crunching beneath your feet as you stroll down a garden pathway or the smell of thyme drifting up from between your toes. These and a host of other plants can handle the treading of your feet, so there's no reason not to add some to your yard right now.

Stephen Wells, a Nashville landscape designer, has found that using creeping ground covers is also a great way to soften a landscape. "I installed these stone steps to deal with a floodplain problem," he says. "I really liked the texture, but they seemed stark. So I added low-growing plants such as creeping Jenny, two-row sedum, creeping thyme, and hen and chickens. After a single season, they all completely filled in and created a soothing look." For more choices, see "Great Ground Covers," below, right.

Dependable Performers

Besides looking great and adding a touch of romance to your garden, hardy ground covers are easy to install and maintain. Stephen suggests planting them in a raised area whenever possible. "Ground covers really seem to perform much better when planted in a wall or along steps," he says. "Regardless of where you put them, the key is to make sure they have good drainage."

When Stephen built the rock steps, he left gaps large enough to insert quart-size potted plants. "Giving the roots some room encourages ground covers to grow quickly and ensures they'll be much happier down the road," he says. "Jamming a big plant into a small hole means you'll have to water a lot more." If the available space is smaller than your plant's container, try cutting the plant in half with a knife and then placing it in that spot. Regardless, be sure to water well. EDWIN MARTY

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation May 2005
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