Plants For Flower Carpets

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

About plants that allow you to create unique corners in your garden

The palette of dirt carpets is endless. Some growers prefer the bright bold colors of these carpets in their area. Others enjoy the luxurious bloom of a mixture of several plant species. Both the simple elegance of uniform carpets with the year-round ability to be green and the expressive pattern with seasonal changes in decorative shrubs or perennials are unique.

You may want to have a dense, fast-forming carpet or, conversely, slow-growing for problem areas in dry shade, on a sunny slope, or in a low wet place - you will always find a groundcover for every gardening plan. Remember that almost any short plant can be used as a cover plant - creepers, perennials and shrubs.

Do not forget that any ground cover plant grows aggressively, forms a dense mat and fills in the necessary objects. Sometimes they should be limited. They decorate at least three seasons, restrain or completely supplant weeds.

Caring for ground cover plants is usual - weeding, removing dried seed heads, fertilizing, watering. The soil for ground cover plants is prepared, as for any garden plant, in advance, even before planting. An earthen carpet can provide a transition to a shrub curb, fill the space between a walking path and a lush flower garden, soften the area around patios, terraces, fix a functional place, for example, a recreation room, a playground.

Let's talk about my favorite plants

Thyme. Creeping deciduous ornamental plant 7-10 cm high. Rosetteless, rod-root evergreen dwarf shrub. Creeping shoots, flowering branches rise above the ground. Over time forms dense tufts. The leaves are narrow, oblong, densely cover the shoots. The flowers are small. Inflorescences are capitate. Winter and drought-resistant plant. Propagated by seeds and dividing bushes.

In the Leningrad region, the most popular variety is Alpine with a bush diameter of up to 40-50 cm. Vegetative shoots are long, numerous, densely leafy, form dense cushions. Inflorescences are capitate on ascending shoots. The color is dark purple. The plant is unpretentious, stable in winter and drought. There is also a variety Creeping (Serpullum). It differs in the shape of the leaves. This thyme has oblong-elliptical leaves, long ciliate along the edge. The inflorescences are compact, 2-3 cm long. The color is bright, pink-purple.

Sedum sedum. Tiny sedums are especially popular. Rhizome, cluster-rooted rosetteless plants of various shapes. Deciduous succulents. Beautifully flowering and deciduous ornamental plants. The species are different - erect, ascending or creeping, rooting. Flowers are stellate, yellow, white, pink, collected in corymbose panicles, umbellate inflorescences. Propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, cuttings. Unpretentious, resistant to adverse climatic factors. Used for rockeries, curbs and as a ground cover.

The Leningrad region common grade - Caustic (Sedum acre) height of 4-8 cm shoots ascending or recumbent. Leaves are fleshy, short, covering vegetative shoots. Flowers are golden yellow up to 1 cm in diameter. Umbellate inflorescences are 2-4 cm in diameter. Propagated by seeds and cuttings. Unpretentious, stable in extreme conditions.

Sedum is white. Creeping vegetative shoots, densely leafy. Leaves are oblong-ovate, succulent, 1 cm long, 0.1-0.2 cm wide. Generative shoots rise. Inflorescences are branched-corymbose, 4-5 cm in diameter. Flowers are white, small, numerous. Used as a ground cover for rockeries.

Thick-leaved sedum (Dasyphyllum). A miniature plant 5 cm high. Shoots are creeping, densely leafy with small thickish gray-green leaves. Inflorescences are corymbose, 2 cm in diameter and consist of 4-9 white-pink flowers. Scanty generative shoots rising.

Sedum (Reflexum) prefers sandy, rocky soils. Plant height 15 cm. Leaves are greenish-gray, linear subulate, juicy. Shield-shaped inflorescences 5-6 cm in diameter. The flowers are bright yellow, star-shaped.

False sedum (Spurium) - semi-rosette, 5-12 cm high. Leaves are dark green, thick, ovate-wedge-shaped. Inflorescences are dense, corymbose 5-6 cm in diameter. The flowers are pink or purple, 1-1.3 cm in diameter. The described stonecrops are not a complete list of existing stonecrops, but only recommended for lovers of textured carpets, especially in dry places.

Monet lysimachia (Aurea). It is a cheerful plant with low-growing golden leaves with a unique texture. Height 2-5 cm. In the sun, it resembles gold coins, carelessly scattered on the ground. In the shade, the leaves take on a bluish tint. In spotted lighting, they look like a magic carpet.

Golden dwarf lysimachia is a cheap and convenient material for creating a dirt carpet. Tolerates slight plucking by animals or trampling when walking. Used in mixed curbs next to hosta and coral bells under maple and other shady trees and shrubs. In humid and shady areas, lysimachia can be aggressive.

Blue Grass (Sporobolus). For large sunny areas, herbs are often chosen. Beautiful wild grass with thin emerald green leaves forms dense, globular bunches. These beautiful, slowly growing tufts grow up to 45-60 cm tall. In warm climates, they are evergreen with a golden tan in the middle of summer, and in cold climates they turn yellow or orange in autumn. All summer long, the grass is covered with tall, wiry peduncles with charming pale pink flowers.

Zinia. There are two varieties of creeping zinnia - Azter Gold and Sunbini. These varieties are recommended for planting in the northern regions. They create a one-year dirt carpet of dark green leaves and vibrant light yellow flowers. Ideal for places with full sunlight. Button-shaped flowers with intense golden rays, like mini suns, are perfect for a summer garden. They are often used in containers next to verbena or ivy, or to create a fancy dirt carpet.

Zinnia blooms quickly, which is very important on our long northern days, and offers bloom all summer long. Bright rays sparkle among magnificent variegated leaves. Both varieties of zinnia are hardy, moisture-loving perennials, which we grow as annuals. They, like the silvery-blue grasses, are ideal at the edge of the curb as an alternative to scented alissum. Each plant occupies 20-25 cm² of area.

Periwinkle (Vinca). In abandoned gardens, a charming, magical periwinkle, a permanent, unchanging ground carpet, often remains. Calm and attractive, he displays subtle opulence in shady locations. Periwinkle allows for the presence of bulbs in spring, which quickly fade, and abundant periwinkle flowers create a carpet until autumn, when the bulbs have already finished their season. In full shade, the plant occupies up to 30-45 cm². Grows well in poorly fertile soil with good drainage.

Lingonberry (Bearberry). A gorgeous 15-25cm evergreen soil carpet can be grown from seeds or seedlings in sandy, acidic soil and sunny location. Tiny, glossy green leaves form a dense carpet that covers the ground. Low growing shrub with small dark leaves that turn bronze in winter.

Blooms for a full six weeks in mid-spring. Forms clusters of small white flowers with a pink blush, which turn into beautiful red berries, loved not only by people, but also by birds.

Lingonberries form a vigorous, dense and durable rug that is hassle free. Each bush covers an area of 30-35 cm².

Azarum European. An amazing plant with glossy live dark green leaves of a rounded hoof shape. This plant has another common name - clefthoof. During spring and early summer it forms interesting small bell-shaped chestnut flowers. Creates a soil surface from beautiful evergreen leaves. Perfect as an accent in shady rockeries or wooded areas, as well as at the edge of a curb. The plant is 5-8 cm high and takes up space of 20-25 cm². Prefers a quiet place in the shade and partial shade.

Lily of the valley is silvery. It is also called the lily of the valley. It adapts especially well in gardens and is highly recommended for creating an unpaved carpet, especially in shady areas. With minimal care, lily of the valley plantings create a delightful carpet of fragrant abundance of long-stemmed flowers. Flower brushes are as long as leaves. Reaches a height of 24-30 cm. Grows easily in partial sunlight or shade, in a damp or dry place. The best results are obtained if the plantings are covered with compost, rotted manure or any other organic material for the winter.

Geranium. An excellent hybrid of the John Elsley geranium has carmine flowers 2 cm in diameter. The drooping, outstretched, growing flowers tend to rise to a height of 12-18 cm. Even in hot weather, they bloom for several weeks in mid-summer. The exquisite leaves turn to red with a bronze sheen in the shade. Drought-tolerant, vigorous geraniums form an excellent ground carpet or gracing curb fronts. Grows well in the gardens of the Leningrad region. Does not create hassle when leaving. Requires fertile soil, good drainage, full sun or partial shade.

Fragrant Galium. He's a longtime garden favorite. It is called the fragrant forest ruff. An excellent plant for a dirt carpet in partial shade and damp areas. The plant bears an abundance of delicate white leaves in spring and early summer. Its flowers have a pleasant scent in May. The plant grows up to 18-25 cm and grows rapidly.

White lamb, or dull nettle (lamium). It grows in a wide variety of places, from lowlands to mountains. Therefore, it is very widespread in garden plots. The leaves resemble nettles, but do not burn when touched. Because of this feature, the plant is called deaf nettle. White or lavender flowers form false whorls in the axils of the upper leaves.

The plant creates a vigorous carpet 18-25 cm high in shade or partial shade. It has extraordinary leaves - silvery with narrow green edges. Flowers collected in a brush appear in late spring and early summer. Lamb is less aggressive than others. Ideal for small gardens and effective in draping flower baskets.

Corydalis (Houtunia cordata). Spectacular ground carpet of leaves with a pronounced combined color scheme - yellow, green, bronze and red. In a sunny place, the colors are most pronounced. Plant height 18-28 cm. Grows by spreading stems underground. Grows vigorously in any soil with constant moisture. It is an excellent potted plant if kept in a saucer of water. Creates a flat, smooth, dense carpet.

Cinquefoil (Potentilla). The beautiful, low-growing Nana Potentilla in warm climates creates an evergreen ground carpet with small, abundant green leaves that resemble those of strawberries. Generous mounds no more than 10 cm high and 30-35 cm wide are strewn with light golden flowers in early summer. Grows well in full sun or partial shade. She is amazing both with flowering and without it. Looks great in rocky gardens. In dry weather, it requires watering.

Pachisandra Green Carpet is a special variety widely used to create ground carpets. It grows excellently on any soil - dry, in shady places and in the sun. Resistant variety. Does not die from inept care or accidental damage. Low-growing variety - up to 12 cm. Bushes are compact, remain dense, beautiful even under unfavorable conditions, creating a carpet of shiny dark green leaves. One bush covers an area of 20 cm² in a well fertilized soil, preferably organic material. The plant requires constant deep watering.

Phlox subulate (subulata). There are several types of dwarf phlox that can create a spectacular dirt carpet. A low, fast-growing and easy-growing plant only 15 cm high has subulate evergreen leaves.

Phloxes in the spring create a carpet of light color with a delicate scent. The flowers are star-shaped. These plants are among the resilient perennial soil carpets. They are also popular in rocky gardens. Great on low curbs, slopes, lowlands or rocky ramparts. They can be combined in color. Each plant is 20-30 cm². Prefers full sunlight or partial shade in dry conditions. The soil is required with good drainage and low acidity. For more vigorous growth, pruning after flowering is needed.

Phlox Douglas. Blooms all summer and autumn. This phlox is 10-15 cm high and has a lavender color. Cold hardy and strong in fertile soil with good drainage and full sunlight. Forms an excellent ground carpet, a magnificent cascade on slopes, walls or steep banks. The plant covers an area of 20-30 cm².

Derain Canadian (cornus). One of the finest forest grasses, abundant with white flowers in spring and early summer. Perfectly white flowers and dark green leaves 7-20 cm high stand above the ground like umbrellas. Over time, the cornus forms a large ground carpet, a glossy mat. Flowers turn into scarlet berries in summer, very spectacular and very attractive to birds. When the leaves fall off, an excellent crimson or deep red area forms. Successful growth requires shade, good drainage, moisture and acidic soil with sufficient humus.

Vyazel motley (coronilla varia). It can often be seen along the main roads. Delicate pink flowers in globular umbellate inflorescences create massive flowering in early summer until cold weather. This poisonous, but very beautiful plant thrives and prevents soil erosion on landmarks, steep banks and slopes. Suppresses the growth of weeds by rapidly developing their shoots both on the soil surface and below the soil. 25 plants create a 9 m² dirt carpet in the sun or light shade to create clean, wavy leaves. The height of the carpet does not exceed 5 cm.

Buttercup (ranunculus). Creates an attractive ground carpet. Bettered Popcorn is one of the best and most successful varieties for gardeners. Thin, dissected leaves, silvery green in spring, shoots. In two years, the plant grows to 70-100 cm². Graceful yellow flowers delight flower growers in spring. Buttercup grows successfully in full sunlight and in partial shade, on fertile land with good drainage. Requires annual compost mulch. It is advisable to insulate for the winter.

Most of the soil carpets are of a variety that can be used for occasional easy walking. All dirt carpets need an annual spring shearing. Otherwise, the middle of the plant carpet becomes bald and looks unattractive.

I wish you all the healthiest and most successful plantings when growing soil carpets.