Ground covers are low-growing plants, placed in close proximity to one another so that they will grow together to form a green carpet. Their usefulness to the home landscape is a varied one:

1. They are ideal for situations where grass will not grow, like beneath trees or on slopes;
2. They provide an interesting change of green pace for yards, because many bear flowers at one time during the year; and
3. They can tie together somewhat unrelated elements in the landscape, making a transition between solitary trees and shrubs, and shrubs and lawn area.

Prepare soil by spading deeply. Loosen up heavy clay and clay loam soil with addition of peat moss, sand, ground bark or compost. Add about 2lbs. of 5-10-5 fertilizer per 100 sq.ft. or 1lb. of 10-10-10 per 100 sq.ft. and turn the soil over again. Then rake it smooth and the plot will be ready for the ground cover plants.

If you buy ground cover plants but cannot plant them the same day, water the packs or flats thoroughly and place them in the shade to prevent excessive wilting. Evening or cloudy days are the best times to plant. If you have to plant during the heat of the day or on sunny days, be sure plants are watered thoroughly immediately after planting.

Moisten soil before planting and allow it to dry slightly until it is workable. Set ground cover plants at the distances apart recommended on the chart on the reverse side of this sheet. The distance will seem excessive in some cases, but remember your ultimate goal is a carpet of plants. Planting too close results in eventual overcrowding, which will not produce the effect you are striving for.

Water the plants thoroughly with a mild fertilizer solution to give them a good start. Thereafter water whenever the soil begins to dry. Do it early in the day with a soaking technique at ground level. Don't be satisfied with just sprinkling the foliage since plants will not receive enough water. Moisture on the foliage for more than 24 hours encourages plant disease. Don't rely on rainfall to keep plants fresh…you are more reliable than Mother Nature in this case.

Ground covers require far less maintenance than grass lawns, but do need their special kind of attention. Most can't be stepped on, so planting must be done in non-traffic areas. The first year especially, weeds must be pulled. After that the ground cover is normally thick enough to discourage most weed growth. Some will need grooming from time to time to keep them at desired heights. Whenever frost heaves the young ground cover plants out of the ground, press them back in without delay to assure their firm growth when the temperature moderates.

*Plant Type:

E - Evergreen

D - Deciduous, plant's foliage dies down during winter

H - Herbaceous, plant with no woody tissue; entire plant may die down during winter