Alone on the bed, in colorful combinations or as underplanting - the possible areas of application are diverse and allow a great deal of creative freedom. Of course, this only applies if the right species are selected.
Annual or perennial - tips for choosing
The distinction between annual or perennial flowering ground cover and plants in general is not always clear. And not always consistent. Not even when the classification is on the label or the seed bag. The reason for this lies in the winter hardiness of the plants. Many annual ground cover plants do not die because they really only have a limited lifespan. Instead, they are simply not frost hardy. If they are still referred to as "annual", sowing is usually much easier and less expensive than wintering indoors. At least if the seeds are sown directly in the garden and not cultivated in pots or tubs. Anyone who has the space available for safe wintering and is planning a culture in the bucket anyway should not rush to part with a supposedly annual plant. The majority of these survive the winter surprisingly well and without problems, as long as they are kept frost-free.
Annual flowering ground cover
The particularly easy-care and yet decorative ground covers include:
Beach silver herb
The beach silver herb originally comes from Madeira, but is becoming more and more popular all over the world. This is due to the undemanding growth in sunny or partially shaded locations. And of course the white carpet of flowers that shows up from June to December.
The wind is a diverse plant that can spread quickly over large areas. As a result, it is already considered a weed by some gardeners. In return, however, it impresses with its decorative flowers that appear on it from June to around October. In addition to the annual variants, the winch is also available as perennial garden vegetation.
Wild garlic
The wild garlic is not a typical ground cover in the garden, but it is a very attractive one. If it is kept sufficiently shady and moist, it spreads quickly and is at the same time a delicious addition to the kitchen.
Nasturtiums
The nasturtium is probably one of the best-known garden plants and is available in many different colors and cultivated forms. Actually persistent, it is mostly used as an annual ground cover, as it is difficult to overwinter, at least in the open in the garden.
Pennywort or Mint herb
The pennywort grows to a height of just five centimeters and thrives best in partial shade. It can fill an important gap in the garden and is ideal as an underplanting and solitary ground cover. It blooms yellow and can also be perennial with appropriate protection.
Hornwort
The hornwort is characterized above all by its great tolerance to drought and impresses with its silvery, velvety leaves, from which the white flowers stand out beautifully.
Liver balm
The liver balm blooms violet and interestingly pinnate, from May to October. If you want a particularly dense and splendid bloom,
should choose a sunny location.Perennial flowering ground cover
On the part of the perennial flowering ground cover there is a multitude of evergreen plants. The most undemanding include:
Small-leaved evergreen
The small-leaved evergreen is an approximately 20 cm high shrub that quickly grows over large areas and spreads densely in the process.
Flowering shows from May to September if a suitable location is chosen. Small-leaved evergreen likes shade or partial shade and is therefore ideal as underplanting.
Cotoneaster
The cotoneaster is an undemanding plant that thrives almost everywhere and makes an attractive ground cover. The flowers and fruits are small, but have a contrasting color.
Johannis herbs
The yellow blooming St. John's wort has become an indispensable part of many gardens and likes to fill shady or partially shaded places. Because St. John's wort likes moist locations, it can also serve as a boundary for a garden pond.
Stonecrop
The stonecrop is available in numerous cultivated forms and is particularly easy to care for. It can fill narrow niches or spread out over large areas and is particularly comfortable in the rock garden. If you really want little effort in the garden, the stonecrop is very well advised.
Cushion bellflower
Upholstered bluebells form dense carpets, which are simply eye-catching with their splendor of flowers. They look very delicate and filigree, can be combined in many ways and can withstand a lot with sufficient watering. Sunny or partially shaded locations - the cushion bellflowers thrive very well in both.
Rosemary Daphne
The rosemary daphne is somewhat unusual and almost a rarity. It blooms in pink or pink and tolerates drought very well, which is why it cuts a fine figure in the rock garden - but can also be kept in a bucket as an easy-care decoration.
Schuppenheide
At least one heather species should not be missing from the list of easy-care, perennial and flowering ground cover. The persistent and handsome plants are small and low, but nevertheless spread quickly and powerfully. As long as they are not exposed to waterlogging, they prove to be robust garden plants.
Low billberry
The lower shamrock can grow quite light with proper care and a little pruning
but also spread out wonderfully densely. The brightly colored flowers and berries are an eye-catcher that can be seen almost all year round.Evening primrose
The evening primrose can stay very low, but with the appropriate variety can even grow up to two meters high. Blooming yellow, it brings sun under the partially shaded ground cover. If it is sufficiently watered, it also tolerates the sun well.
Worth knowing about annual and perennial ground cover in brief
Choosing the right varieties from the multitude of flowering ground cover plants is not always easy, because everyone is spoiled for choice here. But those who have passed this can enjoy easy-care and attractive plants that require little effort. There are shady corners in every garden. Compared to the rest, these often appear monotonous and colorless. This need not be. There are a variety of beautiful and easy-care ground covers such as lily of the valley, ivy, Evergreen, golden strawberry, decorative nettle, Balkan corkbill and fat men that require little care and allow the bare corners to bloom.
For the period from December to March is the Christmas rose ideal for shady corners. It is in its prime during these months. After that they delight Wood anemonewhich bloom from March with white and blue flowers, the eye as well as commemorative or leather flowers. In April and May, for example, the lark's spur blooms. Then comes the time for the red stonecrop, the star umbels and poppy seeds. Autumn then belongs to the autumn anemones, the hardy open field - Fuchsias and the monkshood. These are plants that bloom well into October.
Note: Most plants are best grown in large groups. This enables them to spread out and then cover a large area in colorful bloom. This looks beautiful.
- Before deciding on a ground cover plant, however, it makes sense to know the nature of the soil.
- Ground covers, which usually get along well with life in the shade, have different demands on the soil.
- They can only thrive on suitable soil and fulfill their purpose of revitalizing the bare spots with colorful flowers.
