Best Groundcovers For Year-round Interest

Introduction to Groundcovers

Are you tired of a barren landscape or struggling with weeds in your garden? Do you want to add visual interest and texture to your outdoor space? If so, introducing groundcovers is a fantastic solution. Groundcovers are low-growing plants that serve as living mulch, covering the soil and preventing weeds while also providing many other benefits. In this article, we'll explore the best groundcovers for year-round interest, helping you choose the perfect plants for your garden.

Criteria for Selecting Year-Round Groundcovers

Selecting year-round groundcovers requires a bit of careful planning and consideration. Here are some of the criteria you should keep in mind before choosing a groundcover for your landscape:

1. Growth habit: Look for groundcovers that spread quickly without becoming invasive. Choose groundcovers that grow low to the ground and form dense mats, providing good weed suppression.
2. Climate adaptability: When it comes to groundcovers, it's essential to consider your climate first. Select a groundcover that can thrive in your climate and microclimate. Some groundcovers may be drought-resistant, while others may tolerate wetter conditions.
3. Sunlight needs: Ensure the groundcover you choose is suitable for the amount of sunlight in the area you want to plant it. Some plants require full sun, while others prefer shade.
4. Soil type: Determine the soil type in your garden and choose a groundcover that is well-suited to that soil. For instance, if you have heavy, clay soil, look for groundcovers that are drought-resistant and can tolerate poorly drained soil conditions.
5. Year-round interest: Choose groundcovers that offer interest throughout the year, from colorful foliage and flowers to evergreen leaves and berries. Select plants that have contrasting leaf and flower colors to add interest and dimension to your garden.
6. Request information: Talk to your local nursery or gardening store for help in selecting the right groundcover for your garden. They can help you select species that'll do well in your area and provide planting, maintenance, and care tips to ensure your groundcover thrives.

Keeping these criteria in mind will help you select the best year-round groundcovers for your garden, and in no time, you'll have a lush, low-maintenance groundcover that provides an attractive and practical solution for garden coverage.

Top 3 Evergreen Groundcovers for Year-Round Interest

If you're looking for groundcovers that keep their lush green foliage all year round, then, you're in luck! There are several evergreen options available that require minimal maintenance and provide a gorgeous backdrop for your garden. Here are the top three evergreen groundcovers for year-round interest:

1. Creeping Juniper - This groundcover is a hardy evergreen that is perfect for slopes, banks, and hillsides. Its low maintenance and drought-tolerant nature make it the choice of many gardeners. Creeping Juniper can withstand dry soil, heat, and shade, making it perfect for several landscaping situations. Its dense foliage and attractive texture make it ideal in rock gardens or as a border plant.
2. Creeping Phlox - This low-growing groundcover is a stunning evergreen that produces lush green foliage and vibrant flowers in the spring. Its mat-forming habit makes it ideal for slopes, rock gardens, and as a border plant. Creeping Phlox is easy to grow and highly tolerant of hot, dry conditions; therefore, it makes life easier for gardeners.
3. Wintercreeper - Despite its name, this evergreen groundcover is suitable for all seasons of the year. Its dense foliage turns into a stunning purple in winter, making it a popular choice among gardeners. Wintercreeper can tolerate full sun, shade, and various soil types, making it versatile in landscaping situations. Its fast-growing nature and easy-to-propagate habit make it a popular choice as a groundcover to fill in large areas.

Choosing the right evergreen groundcover for your garden requires a bit of research and experimentation. To achieve year-round interest, pair these evergreens with other seasonal groundcovers, such as deciduous plants and perennials.

Top 3 Flowering Groundcovers for Year-Round Interest

Groundcovers are an excellent way to add color, texture, and interest to your landscape. If you're looking for a groundcover that will provide year-round visual interest, consider one of the following flowering options:

1. Creeping Phlox

   Creeping Phlox is a low-growing, spreading groundcover that produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white. This hardy perennial blooms in late spring and early summer and attracts bees and butterflies to your garden. Creeping Phlox is also deer-resistant and tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soil conditions.

2. Winter Jasmine

   Winter Jasmine is a deciduous shrub that creates a beautiful groundcover with its cascading branches that sprawl across the landscape. In the winter months, this plant produces vibrant yellow flowers that add a touch of warmth and cheer to the dreariest of landscapes. Winter Jasmine prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

3. Ajuga

   Ajuga is a low-maintenance groundcover that thrives in shady areas, making it the perfect choice for underplanting trees and shrubs. This plant produces spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers in the spring, which give way to bronze or green foliage that provides year-round interest. Ajuga is also deer-resistant and tolerates wet soil conditions.

These are just a few of the many flowering groundcovers that are available to homeowners. To choose the best option for your landscape, consider your soil type, sun exposure, and local climate. By selecting a groundcover that is well-suited to your environment, you can enjoy a beautiful and low-maintenance garden year-round.

Top 3 Groundcovers for Fall and Winter Interest

In addition to providing year-round coverage, many groundcovers have unique qualities that make them stand out during specific seasons. Below are the top three options for fall and winter interest:

1. Creeping Phlox: This low-growing evergreen groundcover produces masses of colorful flowers in the spring and holds its leaves throughout the winter. In the fall, creeping phlox leaves turn a beautiful shade of deep red.
2. Wintercreeper: As the name implies, wintercreeper is the ideal groundcover for winter interest. Yields glossy leaves in shades of green, yellow, and silver-white that remain vibrant throughout the winter months. It's even tolerant of deep shade and can be grown in a wide range of soils.
3. Autumn Fern: This deciduous fern produces striking fronds of copper, gold, and bronze in the fall before dropping their leaves for the winter. It's an excellent choice for shady areas, where other plants may struggle to grow, and can add a touch of visual interest to any garden corner.

Incorporating these groundcovers into your landscape design can add a variety of colors and textures to your outdoor space while providing year-round coverage. However, always be sure to do your research and ensure the plants you choose are well-suited to your garden's specific conditions.

Maintenance and Care Tips for Year-Round Groundcovers

Groundcovers are an excellent choice for homeowners who want low-maintenance lawns that add beauty and texture to their outdoor spaces. Year-round groundcovers can consist of several different types of plants, each with their unique needs. Here are some maintenance and care tips to keep your year-round groundcovers healthy and vibrant:

1. Watering

   Water deeply and regularly to encourage root growth. Always check the soil's moisture level before watering, as too much water can lead to root rot, and too little water can lead to drought stress.

2. Mulching

   Mulch around the plant's base to protect the soil from erosion, retain water, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Spread a two to four-inch layer of mulch around the plants, being careful not to mulch too close to the plant's stem.

3. Fertilizing

   Year-round groundcovers don't require much fertilizer. However, a light feeding of balanced fertilizer in the spring and fall can help promote healthy growth.

4. Pruning

   Prune the groundcovers regularly to keep them looking tidy and healthy. Cut back the dead or diseased branches as soon as you notice them to prevent the spread of diseases and pests.

5. Weeding

   Weeds can destabilize the good growth of the groundcovers. You should remove weeds as soon as you see them, to prevent them from competing for essential nutrients and water.

6. Pest Control

   Look for any pests that might be damaging the groundcovers. Identifying pests early can help control them with natural methods, such as spraying them with water or organic pesticides.

7. Winter Protection

   Protect your year-round groundcovers from harsh winter conditions. Surround your plants with a protective covering, such as burlap, to keep them warm and prevent them from going dormant prematurely.

These tips should help you maintain your year-round groundcovers healthily and ensure that they remain attractive and vibrant throughout the year. Always be observant and take swift action when you notice any issues to keep your groundcovers looking their best.