Ground cover

I have a large bank which has been used as a dump for other soil and is very steep,uneven and unsightly.
I wondered if a suitable ground cover plant would improve the look of it. One that hugs the ground and does not need to much attention.
Thanks,
jc.

 

Depends on the position of course but there are many prostrate junipers which will survive in many conditions including dry places, and need very little care.

 

yes Liz, they are great, but can take time.if its quick fix you want try periwinkle, alchemilla, geraniums, epimedium,ivey you could even try these between slower growing conifers.

However if your aspect is south or west you have greater choise - anything that climbs will usually ground cover.

 

Why not sow a grass/wild flower mix? although this doesn't meet the low growing criteria. Low growing junipers are really good and i have seen them used impressively in this way. Also wacos periwinkle et al. will do a great relatively fast job.

If its not an integral part of your garden, Nettles look good on mass too I think and they are good to harvest for homemade fertilizer.

 

Horizontal juniper - Juniperus horizontalis is super as ground cover, though as Waco says will take a while to establish and spread and you'll probably want to have something in between them initially. Another shrub worth thinking about would be Cotoneaster horizontalis or C. conspicuus as you'll get ground cover and berries for the birds.

In one of our beds we've a J. horizontalis with Scottish Flame Flower (Tropaeolum speciosum) that grows through it and blankets it with tiny scarlet flowers in the summer. Looks quite spectacular for a couple of months.

 

I love my tropeolum, it grows through my yew hedge and looks stunning.

 

Waco. After many years of trying I managed last year to transplant rhizomes of our tropaeolum and have now got it growing through a mixed hedge of climbing hydrangea, cotoneaster and holly.

 

Another possible is ceanothus 'Blue Mound' It's normally low growing (~0.6m) with dense foliage that'll shade out most weeds but will spread up to 2m dia.

 

Thanks for all your advice I'll try some of the ideas, I particularly like the idea of seeing a few flowers amongst the ground cover.
Thanks again.
JC

 

If you want flowering ground cover - try the Poached Egg Plant (Limanthes douglasii). Its from NW America and does well as path edging or on a sunny bank. Loves the sun but likes to keep its roots cool beween rocks or paving slabs etc.



It is a beautifully scented annual, but self seeds tidily. That means that after raking and preparing the ground, you sow the seeds in September or March. After they have flowered, just leave them. They will self sow and you will get more and more each year.

 

Dave mine does really well despite being on lime. I sen off to Thompson and Morgan for another two on offer and they were so poor they did not survive winter!

I phoned T & M yesterday and they are sending me 2 more. I know they spead but I don't want to risk pulling at it at the moment esp. on lime.

 

to add to the list - try hypericum calycinum - does well in most soils in my experience
http://www.valentine.gr/GardenPlantGuide/hypericum_calycinum.JPG

 

dendrobium, I loath this plant but you are right it would do a very good job for the site described and unless you really want to dead head its pretty self sufficient too, good choice. :D

 

And in my experience the bees love it too, so its wildlife friendly.