I have a tendency to cram too many plants into a space. I dislike bare soil so I try to cover it, often using aggressive plants on the theory that, if they become too crowded, I can always thin them out. But sometimes I just end up with a mess. Here's a look at a group of ground covers growing at the edge of a walkway in the back garden:
![]() |
| This area along the walkway contains the following ground covers: Ajuga 'Mint Chip', Campanula portenschlagiana, Erigeron karvinskianus, Euphorbia' Blue Lagoon', Liriope spicata and Persicaria capitata. The Erigeron was self-planted. The Euphorbia, Campanula and Persicaria, presumed dead during the drought, were resurrected by our winter rains. The Liriope was a big mistake - I can't say I wasn't warned. |
I was only minimally successful in cleaning them up.
![]() |
| Much as I like its grass-like appearance, the Liriope probably needs to come out but it spreads by runners and removing it will require digging out the entire area. If I don't talk myself out of that (again), I'll tackle that in the fall. |
That's not the only area in the back garden that's a battleground. On another front,
Lotus berthelotii is fighting with creeping thyme.
Erigeron karvinskianus is duking it out with asparagus fern - and just about everything else in its path.
Cotula lineariloba is clambering over
Gazanias and poking its way through daylily foliage. And here's another battleground:
![]() |
| Phyla nodiflora (aka Lippia or frogfruit) is doing a pretty good job holding the line here but Erigeron karvinskianus (aka Santa Barbara or Mexican Daisy), Lobularia maritima (Sweet Alyssum), and Gaura lindheimeri, all self-planted, are putting up a fight. |
Why can't they all get along? A few do.
![]() |
| Plectranthus ciliatus 'Zulu Wonder' is peacefully cohabiting with Campanula portenschlagiana and Pelargonium peltatum 'Dark Burgundy' |
While others cut loose and seek uncharted territory.
![]() |
| Seedlings of Lobelia erinus have escaped the pots the plant shares with blueberry shrubs to find a new home under the garden bench in the space between the patio pavers |
Do your ground covers behave themselves?
All material © 2012-2017 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
