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thatswho Endicott, NY(Zone 5a) Aug 18, 2009

Hi,
I have a bank that's about 5X8 feet. Zone 5. My problem is not in finding suitable ground-covers, I've found a lot, but in knowing whether I can mix them. The bank is quite steep, and right next to the street. It may get a little shade, but not much. I've found several plants that I especially like for the site, but don't know whether I can just inter-plant them and let them fight it out, or whether I need to dig barriers in to encircle each type of plant. Some are more aggressive than others, and *do* spread underground. Not sure if knowing the plants would help, but I'll add the list. All are at Bluestone Pernnials. I like all of these, but the first two are probably what would work best. I have another, less steep bank that I would love to have a lot of flowers on. EUONYMUS Colorata, HYPERICUM Calycinum, SEDUM spurium Red Carpet, ARABIS Red Sensation, AJUGA Silver Beauty, GYPSOPHILA Repens Rosea, VERONICA Stelleri Mann's Variety, SAPONARIA Ocymoides, COREOPSIS rosea Sweet Dreams
Thanks for any help. I've been putting off fixing these banks for a long time, and I finally realized that I've been stuck just because I don't know the answer to this question. ...Harriet

Post #6961721
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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Aug 25, 2009

If the embankment is in full sun most of the day, I would mix your plants in groups of 3 or 5 of each same type, so that you have a better show, some will just grow and hide others that are not too quick to get going, but from a distance, you will get a much more pleasing effect, Hypericums etc are shrubs and would just plant them as single units as they will spread within about 2 years giving you a nice show of colour and flowers, also taller than ground covers,
Because you are planting on a steep slope, you should also add plenty of compost to the planting holes as this will help to retain moisture into the soil as slopes can dry out very fast and are difficult to hold moisture due to the slope of the land.
Zone 5 will get very cool or freezes I would think so for more tender plants you could place them either behind or under the more robust plants that will withstand the colder conditions you will have come winter. Good luck, hope you get this planted up before end of summer, OR leave till early spring just as the soil starts to warm up before the hot summer gives you problems with watering. WeeNel.

Post #6985312
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flowAjen central, NJ(Zone 6b) Aug 27, 2009

Doesn't look like you bought any "bully" plants so they should be fine. I second the suggestion of planting them in groups.

Post #6993608
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thatswho Endicott, NY(Zone 5a) Aug 29, 2009

Thank you both so much. I would have done it wrong. The idea of planting 3 or more of the same type in a group is obviously right, now that I hear it. Extra mulch is also something I'll do. I expect they'll be here in time to plant in Sept. ...Harriet

Post #7002473
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