Yard Planning--Ground Cover

Ivy is a great plant for "plant-and-forget" gardening. For the most part Ivy will not get much taller than about 6 to 10 inches. If you wish you can train it to grow up a fence or trellis. You do not mow it, it will spread on its own and once its established you really don't have to water it much depending on your area of the country.

One warning on Ivy is that critters tend to like it pretty well so it can attract spiders and other creepy crawlers. Also since it does like to spread you will need to make sure it doesn't get into areas in which you don't want it.

Another low ground cover option is clover or other similar flowering plants. This will spread a little as well but is usually not as agressive as Ivy. Clover can withstand a little bit of foot traffic but only you coming in once in a while to weed some flower beds or something like that. Clover and its cousins will give you a nice green bed and seasonal flowers. You will need to watch out for bees and such when the clover is blooming. But it sure is a nice patch of color.

I would recommend that you research types of ground cover that work best in your area. As always, as good local nursery may become your best friend.

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