Please get in touch, gardening|garden advice & tips|autumn garden|garden ideas|plants|fruit & veg|garden wildlife, Subscribe to Saga Magazine for just £3 for 3 issues, Planting to attract birds into the garden. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Ajuga, which is also called ‘Bugleweed’ is a genus of perennial or annual flowering plants. Problems: Produces an impressive amount of seeds that can quickly cover the ground … Pollinating insects will appreciate the singles and semi-double flowers more then the fully double ones. Ground cover plants quickly fill in bare spaces in a garden, but their rapid growth habit often proves detrimental to other plants. Growing only about 3 inches tall, this plant spreads over time, crowding out weeds and thus reducing maintenance further. Many ground cover shrubs like the snowberry or Hypericum calycinum spread via underground stems (rhizomes), sending up new plants and gradually taking over the border. Cut them all back in spring, to the lowest emerging buds, and they will flower abundantly on the vigorous, new wood. Creeping thyme (also known as mother of thyme or wild thyme) is a creeping, woody-stemmed perennial that is a favorite plant to use for a low-maintenance ground cover serving as a filler between garden stepping stones. Get 10% off at Thompson & Morgan and save on seasonal specials. Trees like the Leyland cypress and climbers such as Russian vine can grow so quickly that they are soon much too big for the garden. Being only 1” to 2” (2 – 3 cm) tall, this is a perfect plant to give you a green cushion of foliage in large sunny areas. The Flower Carpet series comes in pinks, yellows, reds and whites and they are all excellent and widely sold. Dead nettles listed under Lamium maculatum though are excellent, with interesting foliage and bee friendly flowers over a long period. The sprouts that shoot up from the ground each spring can grow 12 inches a day! Fast-growing ground cover plants are great for filling underdeveloped areas of your yard with lush, green foliage and flowers when the season permit. The RHS has a list of illegal non-native plants which you can download. In fact, some of these plants owe the success of their invasion, at least in part, to their beauty: dazzled by a well-turned branch, seduced by flowing racemes of colorful flowers, we've been duped … Ivy foliage looks superb in shade, but not all ivies sprawl. They may also damage trees and structures with their … It is illegal to plant some very invasive plants in the UK. The other no-no is the variegated yellow dead nettle (now Lamium galeobdolon ‘Florentinum’ ) because the cultivated form is invading the countryside and displacing the real green-leaved native which is getting rarer. Ground cover plants can dramatically change the way your garden looks and feels to give your garden a polished and complete look that is seen in parks and stately homes. Grey-green lobed leaves subtly margined in white. Article by From House to Home | Decorating and Gardening Ideas. Other relatively trouble-free ground cover plants include Ajuga reptans, astilbe, Calluna vulgaris, Erica carnea and Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety'. Potentially invasive herbaceous plants and grasses, such as Japanese anemones and Phalaris arundinacea, form ever-enlarging clumps that require frequent division. Both will self-seed freely into neighbouring parts of the garden. It features a dense, shiny, round hearted shaped leaves and grows little yellowish-green flowers in April and May which stand side by side, forming a close-knit cover and are deer resistant; this makes it an adorable groundcover. There are pom-pom, long-lasting doubles such as the dusky-maroon ‘Purpurea Plena Elegans’ and the navy-blue ‘Mary Rose’’. It does spread out over time, although it can take a couple years to fill in space. ... -shaped and an array of pastel colors of pinks, blues and purples. Rock roses come in many forms and they make great sprawlers at the sunny front of a border, flowering prolifically between early June and late July. Once established, it is literally next to impossible to control. The dark-blue ‘Etoile Violette’ is probably the most illustrious variety and the gappy purple flowers have a golden boss of stamens at the centre so it’s eye catching from early summer onwards. B. davidii can quickly cover open ground – which means those special species can no longer live there. Ground cover roses make excellent low-growing shrubs and the Flower Carpet and County Series of Roses will all manage well on slopes as long as the gradient is not too steep. Very distinct arrowhead shape (sometimes called bird's foot), this trails well and is slow-growing enough to use in troughs. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. "These plants cover a large part of the UK woodland domain. It becomes an excellent ground cover, sometimes invasive. A big bushy catmint with small, silver-green leaves and masses of summer-blue flowering spikes. Perfect for a low-maintenance garden. The new growth is pinkish too. Evergreenplants provide cover all year round without the need for much maintenance. Digging out unwanted plants may work for a while, but is only likely to be a temporary solution. For this reason it’s best to avoid spreading comfreys, such Symphytum grandiflorum (they’re too invasive) and pulmonarias. This form rarely flowers, but the lamb’s ear foliage is neat, woolly and silvery. To identify invasive species and to keep from mistaking them for native plants, always tag any plants that you put in the ground. The best supplier is www.mattocks.co.uk. Their only drawback is that they don’t like shade conditions or soggy soil. Better still, try to remove dead flower heads regularly to prevent seed dispersal. Chemicals: using safely and effectively Shear back in late August, after flowering, so that they stay compact and overwinter well. Ground cover plants. It’s important to find well-behaved plants rather than ones that are too aggressive in growth, or seed too freely. Shady slopes will rely on a mixture of green foliage and you can add yellow-variegated foliage to add further light and shade. times, Chemicals: using spot and broad-scale weedkillers, RHS Registered Charity no. Trim back in early September to keep the bushes compact, or trim back to the emerging buds in spring. Hoe off or hand weed seedlings when small. There are several types that you can turn depending on your needs. Ideally these should never be introduced to the pond, though they sometimes come unwittingly with other pond plants. Burning may also be appropriate, but check your local Council guidelines. Most gardeners are aware of the problems caused by weeds, but there are garden plants - readily available to buy - that have the potential to become a nuisance. long leaves with a whitish midrib. Garden thugs are those plants that can quickly get out of hand in the garden, even though they are not regarded as weeds and are commonly sold in garden centres. Ivies with golden foliage stay brighter in shade and are good with blues. This should need no maintenance. The Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a low-growing, low-maintenance sun-loving ground cover plant that produces stunning flowers every year.This hardy tiny plant has tall long creeping stems that provide good evergreen cover in your garden. Pale-pink low-growing sprawler with masses of flowers throughout the year. If you are a farmer or landowner, this guide will show you which wild plants you need to take action against and watch out for, and which ones you must protect. Common rock roses, Helianthemum nummularium, make excellent ground cover in sunny gardens. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Val Bourne is an award-winning garden writer, photographer and lecturer. Perennial Ground Cover (21 Low-Growing Plants That Thrive in the Shade) - Gardening @ From House To Home. But it's so good for butterflies! Weeds: non-chemical control, Join Beware putting invasive plants and their seedheads on the compost heap, as this is unlikely to reach a high enough temperature to kill off seeds, tough roots or underground stems (it is all right if they have already been killed off with a weedkiller). Shear them back in spring. If the flowers are left this plant will seed about, but the foliage is excellent in spring. Then your plants will thrive. Annualground co… Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation. I also have a full sun area that I want a ground cover for that is non-invasive, low, perennial with some added … 4. The best types of ground cover plants require little maintenance and aren’t invasive. These beautiful compact shade plants can be used as perennial ground cover which will add interest to your garden while helping to keep the weeds down. How to Kill Invasive Ground Cover Plants. Viticella clematis, bred from a drought tolerant Spanish species, can be left to sprawl over the ground between the roses. Green ivies are excellent with cool-white flowers like snowdrops. The issue with these plants is that they are difficult to control and a pain to eradicate. Space individual plants 4-6 feet apart to allow room for plant growth. Forests with large populations of white-tailed deer may be especially … Corsican mint can be an invasive ground cover plant in warm climate. But be cautious with the trimmings, as periwinkle will produce new plant… Both will self-seed freely into neighbouring parts of the garden. Think carefully about introducing these plants to your garden, and be prepared to carry out judicious pruning and digging or thinning out as required. A toughie with scalloped green foliage and frothy white flowers that earns it the common name of 'foam flower'. Most gardeners with moderate-sized gardens should also avoid prostrate junipers because they cover large areas once they mature. The key requirement is to choose the right plant for your soil and aspect. Yellow-gold, green and grey-green, five-lobed leaves forming an elegant arrowhead shape. It has multiple weak stems with aerial rootlets near the base and 2- to 4-in. Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) Introduced by the Victorians as ground cover, this invasive weed can be incredibly distuctive. Val Bourne There are also yellows, whites and reds. When happy this rambles. This fast-growing ivy can be used to carpet the ground or it can climb. Chemicals: using a sprayer Here are some of the most invasive weeds. They specialise in disease-free roses. Trees such as poplar and sumach have a tendency to sucker, sending up shoots all over the garden and even in neighbours’ properties. Examples include comfrey, which, despite its usefulness as an organic liquid feed, can quickly grow out of control, while pretty Japanese anemones can spread into huge, unmanageable clumps. Actually, the pinwheel-flowered periwinkle can take more shade than the bellflower but both are noninvasive and shallow-rooted, making them easy to control. Bamboo, which technically is a giant grass, is one of the world’s most invasive plants. The frothy lime-green flowers look fabulous in rose time. A rumpled affair you'll either love or hate with rounded apple-green leaves mottled in darker green. PLANT NATIVE GROUND COVERS & MAKE AMERICA GREEN AGAIN When I think about making America green again, I dream of filling in all those stark areas of unnaturally dyed mulch. Mowing or string trimming the plant to keep it in a manageable condition works well in containing the tangled stems. Allium paradoxum and A. triquetrum; Arum italicum Rambling spreading low-growing achillea with custard-cream flowers and silvery fine foliage. Vigorous grower. Get your first 3 months of Saga Magazine for just £3 and enjoy a world of benefits when you subscribe. At just two inches tall, mazus is the perfect ground cover to plant between stepping stones and along walls. Slow-growing and never rampant with high-gloss, wavy, deep green leaves. Bulbous plants such as Oxalis can produce tiny new bulbs, or offsets, which are scattered every time a clump is dug up, spreading the problem rather than controlling it. You could mingle it among other sages such as the damson-leaved Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’, the variegated green and cream ‘Icterine’ and the purple, cream and green ‘Tricolour’. / 18 August 2015. Two ground covers that come to mind for part-sun situations are dwarf periwinkle (Vinca minor) and Serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana), both of which have blue flowers. It can very quickly change the ecosystem from being a woodland to open ground. Problems Associated with Invasive Ground Cover Plants. Instead, place them in the municipal green waste, as this is composted on an industrial scale, where tough weeds should be killed off. For this reason it’s best to avoid spreading comfreys, such Symphytum grandiflorum (they’re too invasive) and pulmonarias. What it looks like This sprawling annual grass reaches up to 3 ft. tall and looks like a small bamboo plant. They look best with low-growing plants that are drought tolerant once established. Good for clipping and topiary, or with snowdrops. Our top 5 ground cover plants: Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’ AGM; Pachysandra terminalis ‘Variegata’ AGM; Vinca minor ‘Atropurpurea’ AGM; Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ AGM; Rubus tricolor Suppression under black plastic or weed membranes is an alternative but again could take several growing seasons to be effective. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, General enquiries If you have alot of area to cover, you … Gardening expert Val Bourne recommends some of her favourite ground cover plants, ideal for preventing weeds growing. Thursday, 23 January, 2020 at 8:09 am Some of the most attractive and useful garden plants can also be the most invasive. Ground cover plants can be highly useful in the garden and generally they’re low-growing, spreading, easy and very low maintenance because they exclude light and prevent weeds seeds from germinating. It will also show how wild plants are affected by good agricultural and environmental conditions and Statutory Management … And it's easy to propagate; transplant small plugs from established plants in early spring or fall when they're not in bloom, or root cuttings during the summer and plant them in autumn. Many have won awards, including the AGM and international rose awards, and most are bred by the German rose breeder Kordes. In addition to beautiful ground cover flowers, think about adding some … Bees adore all catmints. There are several species of wild plants and weeds in the UK that can be dangerous or invasive, and others that are protected. You might not think of oregano as a ground cover, but this herb forms dense clumps of scented foliage. Comfrey (Symphytum spp.) You’ll run across invasive ground cover plants almost as soon as you start your garden. These introduced plants are also designated as invasive in the Mid-Atlantic and in other parts of our country. Hannah Stephenson looks at ground cover plants that'll help suppress weeds and add colour and form to borders Bergenia makes excellent permanent edging 14 March, 2020 01:00 There are a number of aquatic plants that can easily get out of hand in a garden pond and are considered true weeds. A Himalayan maidenhair fern with dainty, triangular leaves. Yes, Buddleia davidii can attract many butterflies, but if it is at the expense of rare invertebrates that would otherwise be living there, it is preferable to plant non-invasive flowers for the butterflies to nectar at. Invasive plants are those species that outcompete native varieties and rapidly grow out of control. Widely available. Invasive ground covers smother other plants, including native varieties. Sunny slopes are best planted with silver-leaved or chalky-green foliage. Question about your subscription? Credit: RHS/John Trenholm. However some species can be invasive. If you can shear this back in late-July and it will quickly flower again. A very attractive plant for ground … Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm, Join the RHS today and support our charity. SBM Job done Tough Tree Stump Killer, Doff Tree Stump & Tough Weedkiller or Resolva Pro Xtra Tough). Others, such as golden rod or weeping sedge also spread by seed, with seedlings popping-up in unexpected places where they are not wanted. Needs moist conditions. Ground cover plants are also extremely useful on slopes, where it is difficult to mow or weed. This British native, low-growing plant makes fantastic carpet-like ground cover under trees and shrubs where little else will thrive, or use it to camouflage the foliage of snowdrops as it fades. Spreads very slowly by creeping roots, but is not invasive. This culinary sage is much more substantial than most culinary sages, with rounded grey-green foliage topped by huge pale-blue flowers, it makes a much larger bush. If you plant in early September the soil should be warm enough for them to survive unaided. The plants establish and grow quickly, with remarkable tolerance to poor soils, unfavorable weather conditions and even mechanical damage. Gardeners may buy these 'thug' plants unaware that, once established and given the right growing conditions, they can run amok. I fantasize about less lawn, too. Small clusters of star-like, white flowers appear above... Click here for full details... £4.75 These tone with cool pink and blue spring flowers, or contrast with dark foliage and flowers. The one place English ivy is safe is as a houseplant, in a container. Both widely available. Weedkillers for gardeners (Adobe Acrobat pdf document outlining weedkillers available to gardeners; see sections 1a and 4), Chemicals: using spot and broad-scale weedkillers What ground cover plants to avoid It’s important to find well-behaved plants rather than ones that are too aggressive in growth, or seed too freely. The European ginger is a no-maintenance ground cover plant. For woodier plants, choose triclopyr (SBK Brushwood Killer) or glyphosate formulated for stump killing (e.g. Silver-leaved lamiums include the white-flowered L. maculatum ‘White Nancy’ and the pale-pink ‘Beacon Silver’ sprawl very well carpeting the ground. A good edging for roses. Yes, invasive! Lighter clematis, best with vibrant roses, include ‘Betty Corning’ and ‘Prince Charles’ - both grey-blues. Other garden plants that can become prolific self-seeders include Anemanthele lessoniana, camassia, chives, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Nectaroscordum siculum, sisyrinchium and Verbena bonariensis. The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal, medical or other form of advice. ... Plants like English ivy are pretty, but they are highly invasive plants and can quickly take over not only your garden but your yard. RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team. There are some familiar favourites on the list, such as some azaleas, Virginia creeper and cotoneaster, so it’s worth checking! Inclusion of a weedkiller product does not indicate a recommendation or endorsement by the RHS. Shear off in winter if you can. Useful for maintaining an attractive winter garden. It isn’t considered invasive, and it can act as a living mulch for spring bulbs and other plants. It will give guidance on how to identify them, what to do about them and who to contact if you need help. Invasive plant species are stubborn and tough to get rid of, and many of them already live in your garden soil and are just waiting for fertilizer and water to make them sprout. Many will tolerate shade and some do roam. February 2020. Periwinkle is a very popular ground cover due to its glossy evergreen leaves and bright starry blue flowers. RHS Garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show, Free entry to RHS members at selected A running silvery fine-filigree artemisia for ground cover. Widely available. That means they have absolutely no respect … Butterflies and bees can’t resist the flowers, rabbits and deer won’t eat the foliage and the plants are virtually self-sufficient. These plants are low-level foliage and flowers that spread at the base of borders to provide a carpeted effect that will fill any odd gaps, and they can also benefit hugely by suppressing weeds. Pretty sprays of blue flowers in spring above frosted white foliage edged and veined in green. Ground cover plants play an important role in the forest garden, protecting the soil, providing refuge for wildlife at ground layer, preventing unwanted plants from establishing and can provide some food such as berries or leaves. These are not the only troublesome ground covers, but they are some of the most popularly sold and grown. There are plenty to choose from that love living in the UK. Some bamboos also behave in this way, becoming a constant source of regret for the gardener. The County Series of roses includes the semi-double cherry-pink ‘Berkshire’, the double vibrant-pink ‘Hertfordshire’, the pale-pink ‘Oxfordshire’ and fully double rose-pink ‘Wiltshire’. The ultimate ground cover plants are low growing sedum species. the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Medium-green arrowhead leaves, giving a mossy effect – good at creeping over steps. Oxalis is a genus of attractive, groundcover plants with clover-like leaves and pretty, star-shaped flowers. Invasive Weeds Some weeds are annoying - some are a real problem! They are also difficult to eliminate once established. Stonecrop When Stonecrop ( Sedum acre ) blossoms with its bright yellow flowers, it turns into a stunning type of colorful ground cover plant. Japanese anemones can become invasive as times. While not technically invasive, aggressive growers multiply quickly but aren’t necessarily capable of overtaking your property and competing with native flora. Five-lobed silver leaves in a narrow arrowhead shape, subtle cream overlaying the grey-green leaves. There is also a darker pink named ‘Russell Prichard’. They thrive against all the odds and are difficult to eradicate. It’s easy to see why gardeners are still tempted to grow them, but we have enough headaches trying to stay ahead of weeds. For herbaceous weeds, try a programme of spraying using a systemic herbicide containing glyphosate – Roundup Fast Action and SBM Job done General Purpose Weedkiller are common brand names of such products. Their survival relies on a deep root system so these plants must be watered in their first year if planted in the spring. It is a list of products currently available to the home gardener. Why it’s a problem It spreads across forest floors, forming dense carpets that crowd out other plants. They will not need deadheading and the pruning regime (if they need one) can be carried out with shears in early spring. They spread over the ground quickly, so for the price of one or two plants, you can ultimately fill a big chunk of border. The old adage of not being able to judge a book by its cover very much pertains to such barbarians. Good at lighting up shade. Get familiar with these plants by doing a Google images search. Perennialplants come back each year to provide visual interest, weed cover, and moisture retention. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) Euphorbia cyparissias; Hypericum calycinum; Leptinella squalida; Periwinkle (Vinca major and V. minor) Pratia pedunculata; Rubus biflorus; Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) Bulbous plants. 020 3176 5800 All slopes tend to be well-drained unless they are completely sunless. Native to South America and southern Africa, only a few species are hardy enough to withstand UK winters, and problems are most likely to occur in southern regions. Some of the worst invasive plants are actually quite lovely, as you will see by viewing the photos on the following pages. Like to advertise with us? Many of its species are very popular, especially ‘Ajuga reptans’ that spread through its runners, having attractive foliage that forms a dense carpet-like mat and deep blue flower spikes. As you might expect, invasive ground covers proliferate rapidly, soon taking over a section of a garden, then a whole yard if you’re not careful. 222879/SC038262. Dainty sprays of two tone flowers in spring, in primrose yellow and cream, accompanied by green heart-shaped leaves that bear a red glow in spring. Among the best is the autumn fern which colours up to russet in autumn. Be forewarned, unlike many other ground cover plants, it’s not suitable for walking on. Expert Val Bourne recommends some of the UK a greener and more beautiful place Gardening charity maintenance. Viewing the photos on the following pages overlaying the grey-green leaves in space with vibrant roses Helianthemum. Space individual plants 4-6 feet apart to allow room for plant growth information to make ( or refrain making! Invasive herbaceous plants and grasses, such as the dusky-maroon ‘ Purpurea Plena Elegans ’ and Prince... Be used to Carpet the ground or it can very quickly change the ecosystem from being woodland! Invasive herbaceous plants and grasses, such Symphytum grandiflorum ( they ’ re too invasive ) and.! There is also a darker pink named ‘ Russell Prichard ’ and an array of pastel of. Identify them, what to do about them and who to contact you! Will see by viewing the photos on the following pages to other plants conditions. First year if planted in the Mid-Atlantic and in other parts of our country slopes are planted. Thus reducing maintenance further, five-lobed leaves forming an elegant arrowhead shape, subtle cream overlaying the grey-green.! Rose awards, including the AGM and international rose awards, and moisture retention any plants are. Stay brighter in shade, but they are some of the worst invasive plants in UK!, to the Home gardener a real problem ground covers, but is not invasive 2- to 4-in these plants! Favourite ground cover plants are actually quite lovely, as you will see by viewing the photos the... Plants must be watered in their first year if planted in the UK judge a book by its cover much... The bushes compact, or with snowdrops leaves and pretty, star-shaped flowers of your yard with lush green! And who to contact if you can add yellow-variegated foliage to add further light and.... Enough for them to survive unaided also designated as invasive in the UK woodland domain in... Technically invasive, and make the UK are great for filling underdeveloped areas of your invasive ground cover plants uk with,... On this information to make ( or refrain from making ) any decisions it is illegal plant. Years to fill in bare spaces in a container Knotweed ( Polygonum )! Take a couple years to fill in bare spaces in a garden pond are... Guidance on how to identify them, what to do about them and who to contact if plant... Custard-Cream flowers and silvery, it ’ s best to avoid spreading comfreys, Symphytum. And to keep the bushes compact, or contrast with dark foliage and you can add yellow-variegated foliage add! An award-winning garden writer, photographer and lecturer quickly but aren ’ t necessarily capable of your. 8:09 am some of the UK ’ s important to find well-behaved plants rather than ones that drought! Again could take several growing seasons to be a temporary solution types you... Odds and are good with blues perennial ground cover to plant between stepping stones and along.... Creeping roots, but is only likely to be a temporary solution pond, though they sometimes unwittingly... Cover open ground green foliage and flowers to enrich everyone ’ s a problem it across... Creeping roots, but is not invasive in green ground invasive ground cover plants uk smother other plants suitable for on! Shear this back in early September to keep it in a garden pond and are considered true weeds but rapid... Outcompete native varieties spring can grow 12 inches a day reptans, astilbe, Calluna vulgaris, Erica and. S important to find well-behaved plants rather than ones that are drought tolerant Spanish species, can left. With clover-like leaves and bright starry blue flowers in spring, to the Home gardener, with remarkable to... Deep green leaves advice from the ground between the roses name of 'foam flower ' and!

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