7 Important Considerations When Selecting Ground Cover

May 25th, 2011 Jacob Schiffer

Any type of plants that grows low on the ground is known as ground covers. A ground cover can protect the soil from erosion and drought and can prevent or hamper the growth of weeds. Ground covers are mostly used for landscaping, owing to its aesthetic appeal, apart from its practical benefits. Here are important things to consider when deciding what textures and blooms you should use as ground covers:

Set up a time frame

Before anything else, you need to figure out how long your ground covers will stay. You may select either perennial or annual ground covers. Annuals will survive through a single growing season only and leave behind seeds as they die which will become a new set of plants that will grow the following year. Perennials, on the contrary, lie dormant after a growing season, but nevertheless remain alive. Additionally, there exist evergreen perennials which can beautify your landscape throughout the year, even during the cold months.

Consider the climate of your area

Take into consideration the climate of your area and choose ground covers that can adapt to it. Turfgrass is a common option that can thrive in all types of climates. There are ground covers that are delicate and could not last through extreme weather.

Evaluate what purpose you want it to serve

The benefits of ground covers can either be practical or aesthetic. Decide which of these benefits are most important. You might want to use ground covers for protecting a sloped area from erosion or to emphasize depth in your landscape. There are many plant varieties available which can suit what you are looking for.

Ensure that the plant you choose is not invasive

There are some ground covers that are invasive in nature. They can grow rapidly and take over parts of your landscape that you don't desire to be covered. These types of ground covers can also endanger your other plants.

Consider the amount of maintenance required for the plant

Every different type of plant requires different levels of care. Some plants need meticulous tending, while others can thrive on their own without much maintenance. Decide on a plant that is maintainable, without being taxing.

See how tall the plants will grow

Some ground covers grow quite high, but most stay close to the ground even in maturity. Prior to making a decision, take the advice of an expert or do some study to know how long that kind of plant can grow. Tall ground covers plants can block the visibility of other plants.

Make sure that the plant is not poisonous

Make certain that you find out that a certain plant is harmless. Beware of plants that make nice ground covers, but may actually be poisonous. If you have kids or pets, this is a very important consideration to make.

Among the numerous ground cover options available, select one that best fit your needs and landscaping arrangements.

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