Planting ground cover: when, where and how?

Ground covers ensure a beautiful, extensive green cover - even in locations such as under trees, where not much would otherwise grow. If you plant the right ground cover, you can look forward to easy-care vegetation.

Plants with a low stature are generally referred to as ground cover plants, which cover the ground with their above-ground parts as extensively as possible and over large parts of the year. In addition, the ground cover plants should be competitive in order to be able to hold themselves permanently and without a high level of maintenance. Luckily, the plant world provides us with a wonderful selection of ground covers for different locations.

When should you plant ground cover?

Depending on the choice of plants, the ground covers are planted at a suitable time. For example, if you want to plant trees, autumn is the best time for greening. At this time, the newly planted ground cover can become well established and face less competition from the dormant trees. Many perennials that can be used in rock gardens, on the other hand, are planted in spring. It is therefore best to find out about the best time to plant when you buy your plant.

Planting ground cover: instructions

Because ground covers cover a range of plants with different needs, it's important to educate yourself about the to inform individual species and varieties with regard to the required location, the soil requirements and the water requirements. Once the right place has been found, it's time to plant - here are step-by-step instructions for a sustainably green garden area:

• The soil should be loosened and any weeds and unwanted roots should be removed.
• For the excavation, the following usually applies: The planting hole should be twice as wide and deep as the ball.
• Depending on the choice of plants, waterlogging may not be tolerated. Therefore, if necessary, create a drainage layer of gravel or grit in very wet locations.
• The demands on the soil also vary. If plants with a high nutrient requirement are selected, it makes sense to add an appropriate substrate.
• When planting the popular cushion phlox (Phlox subulata) for example, our nutrient-rich Plantura organic potting soil be used.

• Then use the ground cover - also pay attention to the correct planting distance and how many specimens you can plant per square meter.
• Now the cavities are filled with topsoil and the nutrient-rich substrate and the new planting is well watered.

Tip: Alternatively, certain plants such as stonecrop (Sedum album) to be sown naturally. When sowing, always pay attention to whether the plants are light or dark germs, or whether the seeds need a cold period to germinate or in the spring directly into the free range allowed.

A green area does not necessarily have to consist of only one plant species. Ground covers can also be beautifully combined with other species. However, the same location and soil requirements must be observed. We have put together a few examples:

Half-shady to shady locations:

• Native hazel root (Asarum europaeum)
• Taurine Master (Asperula taurina)
• Caucasus forget-me-not (Brunera macrophylla)
• lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
• elf flower (epimedium)
• wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
• Knotty Cranesbill (Geranium nodosum)
• Florentine golden nettle (Lamiastrum galeobdolon ‘Florentine’)
• Caucasus Comfrey (Symphytum grandiflorum)

Sunny locations:

• crawling bugle (Ajuga reptans)
• gold basket (Chrysogonum virginianum)
• Himalayan Cranesbill (Geranium himalayense)
• Caucasus cranesbill (Geranium renardii)
• oregano (Origanum vulgare)
• Wollziest (Stachys byzantina)
• carpet sedum (Sedum spurium)

With the great diversity of species of ground cover, it is easy to lose track. We therefore have a selection of frugal ones in our special articles ground covers and special bee-friendly ground covers compiled.

Can you plant ground cover in pots?
Yes, ground covers can also be used for beautiful tub planting. It is important to ensure that the planter is suitable and that you cut back if necessary, so that you can enjoy the plant arrangement for a long time.

Groundcover as easy-care grave planting

Ground covers usually have the property of being very easy to care for and strong in competition. Therefore, they are very suitable for an easy-care grave planting. The usually dense vegetation prevents the spread of weeds and thus significantly reduces the effort for grave maintenance. In order to find something green in winter, we recommend using evergreen shrubs or perennials, among other things. Depending on the orientation of the grave, different types of plants are to be chosen again.

• ivy (Hedera helix)
• Waldsteinia (Waldsteinia ternata)
• Evergreen Creeping Spindle (Euonymus fortunei)
• Ysander (Pachysandra terminalis)
• Small periwinkle (Vinca minor)
• Early flowering thyme (Thymus precox)
• snow heath (Erica carnea)

Plant ground cover in rock gardens

Plants that grow like carpets look particularly beautiful in rockeries – whether ornamental foliage or flowering perennials. Plants should also be chosen here that feel comfortable in this location. We have put together a few examples:

• blue pillow (Aubrieta-Sorts)
• Rock Alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis)
• Upholstery Phlox (Phlox subulata)
• Hot stonecrop (Sedum acre)
• Mock Stoneseed (Lithodora diffusa)

porcelain roses (Lewisia cotyledon) do not cover the ground extensively, but they also fascinate us in the rock garden with their pretty flowers.