science | May 09, 2026

Can you mix ground covers?

Ground covers are perennial plants or, sometimes, low-growing shrubs that form a stable, solid mat of growth, replacing either lawn or garden beds. It is best not to mix too many kinds of ground covers into the same area, for they will spread and become intermixed in a way that is hard to handle.

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Subsequently, one may also ask, what is the fastest growing ground cover?

Creeping Jenny is a fast grower, and thyme will gain about half its size by the next year, but really how fast any plant spreads depends upon how well it likes the conditions. They are not invasives.

One may also ask, how do you prevent ground cover from spreading?

  1. Research, then plant. Read gardening books specific to your region and talk with the pros at your local nursery.
  2. Anticipate the spread. When buying a groundcover, read the label – specifically the section concerning mature height and width.
  3. Consider your site.
  4. Steer clear of invasive ground covers.
  5. Be prepared.

Thereof, how do you prepare soil for ground cover?

Plant your ground cover in the holes. When covered with mulch, landscape fabric prevents light from reaching the soil, which will stop the sprouting of most weed seeds. Hold barren soil in place with burlap when planting ground cover on a slope. This will prevent erosion while the ground cover is getting established.

Can you plant ground cover in the fall?

In areas with hot, dry summers and mild winters, plant in fall; the winter rains will help get the plants off to a good start. Though ground covers are tough, they'll grow and spread more quickly if you prepare the planting area carefully.

Related Question Answers

What is the best low maintenance ground cover?

The Best Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Your Garden
  • Heuchera. 1/11. An evergreen perennial, heuchera is known for its vibrant foliage, which ranges in color from silver to green to brown.
  • Honeysuckle. 2/11.
  • Brass Buttons. 3/11.
  • Creeping Phlox. 4/11.
  • Creeping Jenny. 5/11.
  • Stonecrop. 6/11.
  • Vinca Minor. 7/11.
  • Lamium. 8/11.

What is the best ground cover to prevent weeds?

The Dragon's blood sedum or Schorbuser Blut is considered the most versatile and toughest ground cover that can choke out weeds. Similar to creeping jenny, this type of ground cover also has stems that easily root, so it's fast to proliferate.

What is the best ground cover for full sun?

10 Best Ground Covers for Full Sun
  • 01 of 10. Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)
  • 02 of 10. 'Six Hills Giant' Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii)
  • 03 of 10. Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)
  • 04 of 10. Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
  • Yellow Alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) David Beaulieu.
  • 06 of 10. Silver Mound Artemisia (Artemisia schmidtiana)
  • 07 of 10.
  • 08 of 10.

What is the best flowering ground cover?

Our Favorite Flowering Ground Covers
  1. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
  2. Canadian anemone (Anemone canadensis)
  3. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
  4. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
  5. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serphyllum)
  6. Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)
  7. Hosta (Hosta sieboldiana)
  8. Horned Violet (Viola cornuta)

How fast does creeping phlox spread?

Creeping Phlox Quick Reference Growing Guide
Time to Maturity: 2 years Well-drained
Spacing: 15-18 inches Various shrubs, as it is low-growing
Planting Depth: Shallow, with top of root ball level with the ground Ground cover
Height: 3-8 inches Polemoniaceae
Spread: up to 2 feet Phlox

Does creeping phlox turn brown in winter?

Winter drying occurs when creeping phlox foliage is exposed to cold winter winds and direct sunlight. Even though they are evergreen, the plants go dormant in the winter and can't absorb moisture to keep the leaves hydrated.

How quickly does phlox spread?

Size. Creeping phlox remains rather compact in shape throughout its lifespan, with a maximum width of 2 feet and height of about 6 inches. Like other ground covers,creeping phlox takes a few years to reach maturity -- about two years on average, according to the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.

Will ground cover take over grass?

Plant groundcovers to transform challenging bare spots in your landscape into a carpet of color. These tough-as-nails perennials will quickly cover open spaces. Once established, most groundcovers grow dense enough to choke out weeds making them a low-maintenance alternative to lawn grass.

What is a good ground cover plant?

Low-growing shrubs, such as 'Blue Rug' juniper, can work well here, as can low-maintenance perennial creeping plants. For large slopes, daylily makes a good ground cover. To cover shady areas where turf grasses don't grow well. A variety of shade-loving, spreading plants are suitable for this purpose.

How many flats of ground cover do I need?

You'll want want to space these about 12 inches apart. One-gallon containers will have plants spreading out about 12". You'll want to space these two and one-half to three-feet apart. A full flat will yield about 36 small plants.

How do you cover soil?

If you're not sure what your future landscape plans may be, cover the bare soil with a 4-inch layer of mulch, such as shredded bark or wood chips. A layer of recycled cardboard under the mulch works nearly as well as landscape cloth and will slowly decompose to enrich the soil.

Will ground cover spread through mulch?

A. No need to remove the mulch as long as the soil below is good enough to grow the ground cover. Then pull the mulch back over the soil, but be sure not to cover the base of the plant. The mulch will help conserve moisture and discourage weeds and that will help your ground cover get established quicker.

How far apart do you plant ground cover?

12 to 24 inches

How do I get rid of invasive ground cover?

Spray only the invasive ground cover base and root with a systemic nonselective herbicide. These types of herbicides will travel into the roots of the ground cover to kill the entire plant system. Pull the root system from the soil with a garden spade after the plant has died. Place the dead plant into the garbage bag.

How do you keep creeping Jenny under control?

The best method of creeping jenny control is a combination of physically removing the plant and applying herbicides. Dig up every new plant you find and spray an herbicide. New plants will emerge every few weeks – so keep pulling them up and spraying.

How do you stop plants from spreading?

Plants spread by dropping seeds and by sending out roots to spread into new areas. To prevent this, strong barriers must be put in place. Underground plastic corrals can prevent plant roots from spreading. However, they need to be at least 10 inches deep or more to prevent the plant roots from spreading underneath.

How can pachysandra be prevented from spreading?

Planting notes.
  1. Soil should be moist and well drained; Pachysandra prefers acidic soils but can tolerate neutral and slightly alkaline soils.
  2. Edge the boundaries of the area where you are planting to prevent spreading.
  3. Place the plants about 8 inches apart.
  4. Water the area and gently add a layer of mulch.

How do I remove pachysandra from my yard?

How to Destroy a Pachysandra Bed
  1. Use a long-handled spade to dig about 4 to 6 inches into the ground of your pachysandra bed.
  2. Remove pachysandra with a hoe, undercutting the roots to lift them out of the soil with each cut.
  3. Suffocate pachysandra by covering the area with two to three layers of black, UV-stabilized plastic.

Does pachysandra die in the winter?

If your plants' leaves have dry, tan margins or dry, brown patches in late winter or early spring, the plants are probably suffering from scorch, which is caused by low temperatures or drying winds in winter, or wide fluctuations in temperature.