ideas for ground cover

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imzadi Jackson, SC(Zone 8a) Mar 18, 2004

i have a couple of raised beds that have bulbs all through them. when the bulbs die all you see is dirt. i want something that the bulbs will come up through but also flowers for the season. these are out front in my new yard so i dont want my friends looking at plain dirt.


thanks for any advice. marie

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notmartha Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Mar 18, 2004

ground sedums,dianthus,cushion spurge,aguga,pink primrose,ornamental strawberry,lanium,and i cant think

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louisa Troy, VA(Zone 7a) Mar 18, 2004

My favourite is Vinca minor especially with daffs and it's evergreen.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/Syllabus2/vminor.htm

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gardenwife Newark, OH(Zone 5b) Mar 18, 2004

If the beds are contained and you're not concerned about the groundcover taking over, you might like ranunculus. I have OODLES of it and I'd be glad to send you some of it for postage. I take PayPal, LOL! http://plantsdatabase.com/go/1347/index.html

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Terry Murfreesboro, TN(Zone 7a) Mar 18, 2004

Ajuga can form a pretty thick mat; I don't know if bulbs can push through them.

Depending on the amount of light vs. shade, Galium odorata (Sweet Woodruff) makes a nice cover beneath bulbs in a somewhat shady setting.

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (just say Hardy Plumbago) makes a great groundcover - only drawback is that it isn't evergreen. Low green leaves followed by electric blue flowers in mid-summer on, leaves turn a pretty red in the fall. Best in full-sun, but will take part-shade.

Vinca, especially the variegated variety is nice and will stay green year-round in your neck of the woods.

You might also consider other bulbs/tubers: Daylilies can make a nice counterpoint to spring-flowering daffs and tulips, and tend to start greening up as the spring bulbs are peaking. Lycoris, Rain Lilies, Crinums, and/or true Lilies can do the same thing - only problem might be height (some lilies can get pretty big.)

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gardenwife Newark, OH(Zone 5b) Mar 18, 2004

Mmm, never thought of the mat-factor (anything like Max Factor?). Good point! I like vinca, too.

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imzadi Jackson, SC(Zone 8a) Mar 19, 2004

wow thanks so many possiblities. thanks so much going to go look at them all.

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louisa Troy, VA(Zone 7a) Mar 19, 2004

Vinca minor is not to be confused with V. major which is a more rampant plant but useful for very large areas. I find I can control V. minor quite easily although it is slower to establish and prefers some shade.

I once grew the variegated Vinca major and couldn't control it or get rid of it so just make sure you know your minor from your major!! :-)

V. minor.....

'Alba'- white flowers

'Bowles Variety'-flowers larger than species, but plant is less vigorous.

The variegated 'Illumination' has a bright yellow central leaf but tends to revert back to all green.

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