Ideal Lawn For The Northwest Soil And Climatic Zone

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

From theory to action

May lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis L.)

Perennial plant with creeping rhizome. Basal leaves, elliptical, with long petioles. The bush is squat, 15-20 cm high.

In culture, lily of the valley needs a fairly moist and fertile soil. It tolerates partial shade, frost-hardy, does not require shelter for the winter. Blooms in May. The flowers are white, bell-shaped, with a very delicate and pleasant scent.

Propagated by the autumn division of rhizomes. Can also be propagated by seeds. Cuttings from rhizomes are usually planted to a depth of 3 cm at a distance of 5-10 cm from each other.

Lily of the valley can be planted in sandy and rocky areas, in arboretums, on northern slopes and under tree crowns. Everywhere it creates a dense, highly decorative coating with its original green broad leaves.

Field shingle (Cerastium arvense L.)

Perennial herb. Stems at the base with creeping and rooting shoots. The leaves are pubescent, dark green. The height of plants ranges from 6-20 cm.

Naturally grows on sandy slopes and slopes, fallow fields, meadows, near marshes and forests. It is undemanding to the soil. Grows well in shady and semi-shady places, tolerates moderate trampling, does not need frequent mowing.

Propagated by seeds and vegetatively (by dispersing finely chopped rhizomes in early spring, followed by soil compaction and regular watering).

Suitable for sodding slopes and slopes, as well as for arranging green clumps in rock gardens, rocky ridges.

Creeping insect (Ajuga reptans L.)

Perennial plant with creeping, creeping leafy shoots of rosette structure. Spreading in different directions, they quickly occupy a new area and spread out intensively, firmly anchored by adventitious roots. It forms an even green cover 5-12 cm high.

A purple-leaved garden variety - Auger reptans, var. rubra, with red-brown glossy broad leaves that are especially decorative in open, sunny, well-lit areas. Not whimsical to soil fertility, winter-hardy, but poorly tolerates drought, moisture-loving. Blooms in May-June.

Propagated by seeds and vegetatively (cuttings). With vegetative propagation, it forms a continuous sod cover in 1-2 months.

It can be used to create sod coverings in the most difficult growing conditions, on moist soils with closely located groundwater.

Small periwinkle (Vine a minor L.)

A perennial creeping plant with thin stems, which quickly root and grow strongly in the places of contact with the ground. The leaves are dark green, glossy, elliptical, very decorative. Blooms in May. Flowers are single, blue.

As an evergreen plant, it is widely cultivated in gardens, in summer cottages. The optimal growing conditions for it are light soils provided with moisture. Winter-hardy, withstands strong shading (up to 25-35% of full daylight).

Propagated mainly by dividing the bush and rooted stems, as well as cuttings, seeds.

It is most advisable to plant the small periwinkle in shady places of gardens under the canopy of trees, on steep slopes and slopes as a stable climbing plant.

There are many more ground cover plants that can be used to create the perfect lawn in difficult soil and climatic conditions. But it seems that the named are enough to make the right choice for specific conditions.

An ideal lawn can be both Moorish and meadow, but we will talk about various combinations in the next part of the article, but for now, it is better to plant all recommended cover plants in a pure culture, without mixing.