low growing groundcover

Hi DGer's, I've a couple areas of my backyard that have little or no plants and searching for easycare low growing groundcovers that can keep weeds at bay while improving the soil. Over the past couple of years I've spread peat moss, compost, and granular type of gypsum, so it's workable but still partly clay. I can add some more amendment + sand. *I've heard of some stuff called Greensand with loads of micronutrients that I'd like to find a local source, or an inexpensive alternative. I do want to create a design that has nice texture and vary shades of green. And I get plenty of rain in almost year round except Summer, which I can water once a week or less after established. I'm in zone 8, or more accurate on the cusp of 7-8. In partsun for East & West sideyards, and North facing backyard.
The groundcovers I've found info on and like are in no particular order.

*Sedum Baby Tears
*Corsican Mint, I read in one of the forums started awhile ago that this was a favorite
*Sedum Ogon
*Elfin Thyme 1 DGer wrote in comments that this attracted ladybugs :)

Does anyone have suggestions for other groundcovers? I'm on a budget, probably looking to plant seeds, or cuttings. Has anyone had success at these groundcovers from seed. Can I start them in the ground?

The plants I've nearby are Nandina tall growing, and will plant more shrubs and trees this year.
Thanks in advance,
Kristin
Kristin4smilely

Hi Kristin,

I'm in Zone 7A and my soil also contains lots of clay. Have you considered Ajuga?

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/search.php?q=ajuga

The leaves forming the groundcover vary from Chartreuse, Spring Green, Emerald Green, Forest Green, and Bronze.

I'm sorry I don't know the proper name of mine, but it has mostly Bronze leaves and puts up short shoots topped with Purple blooms. Total height only reaches 4"-6". It thrives in poor soil, tolerates foot traffic, speads nicely, and isn't picky about where's it's planted...whether in sun, partsun, or shade.

I'd be happy to send you a generous clump of mine at no charge if you'd like to try it.

Happy Easter,
Susan

I think creeping phlox would give you the nice texture and varied greens that you mentioned.
Plus, lots of flowers. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/973/

chris

Bugle boy( ajuga ) is great and multiplies fast. Many people will gladly donate if you ask around! Has pretty blue flowers in spring.

Lamium is a good ground cover. It has interesting foilage and it flowers is early summer. Doesn't need much water once established. http://ncfarmsinc.com/store/index.php?cPath=65_237

We use lantana around here - I am not sure if it would be hardy where you live>

Fruitofthevine, Chris, & Geraldine, I do like Aguga, and it does have nice color in foliage and flowers, complimenting other flowering plants. But for the low walkable groundcover, I'm looking for something more neutral palate, as a way bring out the foliage color and texture of srubs and small trees, The westside yard (about 7 ft.X 50ft.) is outside my DH's office window, and want to create a calm retreat.

Dale, I do like the look of the lamium for the Northside where there's more room, and would like to find some for trade. Would it root well from cuttings? or start from seed? I think Lantana is may not take the cold here very well. Still I'd like to put the low groundcover on Northside to at least around the boarder. and the dryer vent is at this back wall so I need something that won't cover it. In this planting area I'd like to plant some burgandy Japanese maples and more shrubs. I did start a tradelist of the plants I'm thinking of, some of the sunny ones though are for other areas. Please take a look and tell me what you think. I'd love to hear what you have to say about combos.

I also have a toddler that has discover the backyard this spring so I'm trying to make it easy to walk on areas for exploring. I noticed at the end of this winter where the moss tends to grow instead of grass, so I made these the new planting areas. Less lawn to mow, :)!

I bought a soil test kit yesterday, I'll do the test this afternoon.

Bye for now,
Kristin
Kristin4smilely

Hi, OK I'm lagging on the soil test. I made time for it today, though due to the rain off and on these past couple of days, I've had to put it off.
I learn that I need to take the soil sample from 4 inches down from surface and this won't account for the amendments I've added this year,...err!

I did make some progress on the project. I met a neighbor with extra bamboo shoots for a fast growing tall plant. Clumping and running, and did get info on how to control the running kind. A couple of ways Can use heavy plastic edging to contain it and let it grow to it's full height. Or, put it in a large container in ground, and it'll only grow half as tall. I'm doing the late since it'll take some time to complete this project. And I'll try the bamboo in several planting areas.

I also went to the nursery today to get some ideas, and found great help and found a temporary ground cover solution. It turns out that Mesclun seed is very easy to grow, I will have to water every other day to get established, then it can be drought tolerant. Mesclun is a type of lettuce, and since it's an annual, that'll help me improve the soil, and I'll have time to find the ground cover I want.

The other plants, I like the Westside yard are the Nandina 'Moon Bay', Feverfew, corsican mint ground cover, plus another ground cover, that's the combination I have so far. On the Northside there's more room, so I'm thing of the Burgandy Japanese Maple, more Nandina, Heuchera 'Amethyst Mist', Heuchera 'Green Spice', and a new seed received this weekend Impaitiens Balfourii (heirloom reseeder) about 3ft. tall. And the ground cover. I need another evergreen shrub here, hmmm?

I'm still trying to learn how to post pic from the plant files here, but maybe someone can picture it. I'm open to changing these ideas or transplanting later, which I do all the time.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I sure wish we had that companion plant forum.
Thanks again in advance,
Kristin
Kristin4smilely

Hi Kristin,

You've got a good head on your shoulders getting soil samples.

Since you live in the Great Pacific NW where it rains nearly every day, you should have no touble finding a small suitable evergreen. Look around at your local nurserys and ask the growers their recommendations. I personally love Dwarf Spruce, it's a showy slow growing tightly formed perfect conical tree with soft-to-the-touch Chartreuse bracts that retain their brightness year round. We're cross country from each other but only one Zone apart so I expect it would be a beautiful specimen for you.

For a shrub with vibrant year-round color, take a look at euonymus. Scroll down til you find the one that works well for you and catches your eye. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/search.php?q=+euonymus+&Search=Search+PlantFiles This is a low-to-the-ground slow glower about 2-3'' tall at maturity that should do well for you. They're popular here at many businesses, including Banks and shopping centers. The ones here hold their leaf color year-round and are beautiful, ranging from greens to oranges to pinks. Take a look, you'll probably find one you like.

When you want to add a photo, you must first save it either to your computer or to your camera card. Give it a name. When you're ready to load it, click on Browse, locate your photo by name where you've saved it, and click add. You can always preview your reply before posting or edit it later.

Hope this info is helpful.

I'm looking forward to what you think about the dwaft Blue Spruce, euonymus, or your other ideas.
Susan

Fruitofthevine, I tested the soil yesterday, it was neutral, but very low on N, P, & K nutrients. I'll check out the evergreens at the local nurserys this weekend. I do think it's a good thing to have some low maintenance shrubs mixed in. Thank You for the link, I'm going to have to look at it tomorrow, and same for the photo info.

Thanks,
Kristin
Kristin4smilely