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The
secret to a beautiful yet low-maintenance yard may lie in finding
the right groundcover.
Groundcover is the type of plants that grow very close to the
ground. They cover the area like grass but they do not require
cutting like grass does.
Groundcover plants
need very little or no maintenance. They also compete with weeds for
light and water and they usually win. Groundcover also improves your
soil by
serving as mulch.
There are many different kinds of
groundcover that you can choose from. Some of the plants are
flowering and provide an attractive assortment of colors for your
yard.
Most of the low-growing plants are
perennials. This means that they will come up year after year
without replanting and many of these perennials are evergreen so
your yard has rich color all year long. There are excellent annuals
to pick from as well but they need to be replanted
each year.
Sometimes the most important aspects of a
subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the
complete picture.
You can even eat some groundcover.
Strawberries are a good example of a fruit bearing plant that grows
low to the ground. Spices like oregano and thyme can work, but only
in certain areas.
This is not to suggest that groundcover
even perennials, require no work. The first year requires weeding,
mulching and planting. However, once that is finished there is
little maintenance for the plants.
Also, you have to create a barrier for
the groundcover to keep it from getting out of control. Using brick
borders or wood edging will so the trick.
It is important to find groundcover that
deer won’t eat if you live in an area with a high deer population.
Some plants work well as deer deterrents.
The other thing to think about is whether
your landscape is sunny or shady. Usually the same plants that deter
deer also tolerant of shade and can grow very well with little
sunlight. Also, the aromas sent by these plants have the opposite
effect on us as they do on the deer. We are quite attracted to their
aroma.
Knowing enough about groundcover to make
solid, informed choices cuts down on the worry factor. If you apply
what you've just learned about groundcover, you should have nothing
to be concerned about. |