My property has a patch of wooded area at the back that I would like to spruce up. The wooded area is shady but not deep shade because it only goes back about 30 or 40 feet before hitting a creek. I'm looking for an attractive, no maintenance ground cover to start back there. If it can crowd out the poison ivy that really took off this year then that would be an added bonus. Does any such ground cover exist?
Thanks!
Dennis in Grapevine
Groundcover for wooded area
Hello Dennis, and welcome to the Texas forum.
I really can't think of any ground cover that will crowd out poison ivy, since it is a woody plant, but I have heard of cutting the stem and pouring full strength vinegar or molasses on the roots it is supposed to kill it.
As for the ground cover, Golden Groundsel, Packera obovata is a lovely native evergreen with yellow flowers in the spring that does a great job. http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/63577/index.html
Lyre-leaf Sage, Salvia lyrata is a good native one too, with purple flowers in the spring
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1003/index.html
I hope that helps.
Josephine.
I've used roundup to kill poison ivy, but some roots did not die - had to clear it out manually - long sleeves, long pants, & gloves that could be tossed. Took more than one year to get it all out. And, I watch every year for some that might appear.
Once you have it GONE, some of frostweed's suggestions would be great.
Also, you could try some Inland Sea Oats. I have some and they look really cool in fall with those seeds!
Don't know if its native, but wild woodland strawberry http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1013/index.html has thrived in a shaded, mulched area in my garden. It is an aggressive grower, but, not sure if it would choke out poison ivy.
I really like the salvia lyrata. Considering, that your planting area is near a creek bed, natives such as the salvia lyrata would be a great choice.
Yes, Alpine Strawberry, Sow-teat Strawberry, Wild Strawberry, Woodland Strawberry, Fragaria vesca, is a Texas native and an excellent choice as well.
Josephine.
Great suggestions! I guess I'll have to tackle the poison ivy myself. At least I don't seem to be very affected by it, since I hand pulled a bunch of it last season before identifying it as poison ivy.
Does anyone know where I can get any of these plants, or seeds?
Dennis
Good luck, Dennis.
Try to get as much of the root system as you can. It will probably be like a mesh over the entire area. Took my FIL several years on some land near Gladewater to clear it out under some pine trees.
I helped after some winter rain storms had softened the sandy, iron ore soil. Pulled carefully and watched the risomes between plants come up.
Had a patch beside my garage in Houston - same mesh root system, but got rid of it in 2 years. Live Oak leaf mulch that had accumulated there made the job easier - roots were not very deep.
Had vines near the creek on trees. Vines were 3-4 inches in diameter, and ran to the top of the trees - cats were bringing the PI to us on their fir from climbing the trees.
Dennis, you could try Redenta's Garden,
Redenta's Garden
2001 Skillman St.
Dallas, Texas 75206
(214) 823-9421
[HYPERLINK@www.redentas.com]
and Green Mama's
Green Mamas Organic Garden Market
5324 Davis Blvd.
North Richland Hills, Texas 76180
(817) 514-7336
[HYPERLINK@www.greenmamas.com
Josephine.
Great. Thanks!
I just had my first trip to Green Mama's last week. What a cool place. I picked up an Eve's Necklace, a Mexican Buckeye, and a Elaeagnus. It will be fun to see what they have in the spring.
Dennis
Dennis, I've got S. lyrata and Inland Sea Oats seeds I could send you if you want them. Or if you're going to the state spring RU (I assume there will be one) I could bring some S. lyrata and Packera obovata plants for you...and some of the Inland Sea Oats also. Green Mama sounds really cool...wish it was near me!
Thanks for the seed offer. I think I will try to go to the RU since I have never been to one. I have some Mexican Buckeye seedlings I can bring if they survive the winter, and will hopefully have some chile petins as well, if as many come up as last year.