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Ground Cover Plants
What are they?
Ground cover plants grow over an area of ground for the purpose of
hiding it or protecting it from erosion or drought. In gardening
terms, this does not include grasses, ground covers refers to
non-grass plants that are used in place of grass.
Ground Cover Plant Basics
Ground cover plants should spread by themselves and be dense enough
to inhibit weeds. Depending on your needs, there are different types
of ground covers. Also, you may want to avoid certain dense plants
if you are worried about them becoming invasive. If you anticipate a
lot of foot traffic through an area of ground cover, build a walkway
to protect your plants.
How to Choose the Type of Plant
Here are some things to consider when choosing ground cover plants.
1. Choose lower-growing plants for smaller areas and taller plants
for larger or steeped areas.
2. Consider what climate the plant will be exposed to, such as
temperature and sun exposure.
3. Think about the amount of maintenance you plan to do. Some
require little maintenance, while other plants need more care to
protect their appearance and health.
4. Determine the purpose of your ground cover plant. Some are better
at inhibiting weeds while others are best at preventing soil
erosion. These plants are practical; not just aesthetically
pleasing.
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