This article is tailored for Pacific Coast gardeners, and those with similar gardening conditions. Those of you in areas other than B.C., Washington and Oregon may find some of this information interesting, but hardiness information should be ignored, as well as plant availability claims.
A groundcover is a mass planting of any plant that covers ground and inhibits the growth of other plants. Some groundcovers are very short, growing to only 6 inches (15 cm) tall, such as the beautiful B.C. native Kinnickinnick (Actostaphylos uva-ursi). Others are classified as groundcovers even though they can reach 4 feet (1.2 metres) tall, such as salal (Gaultheria shallon) and Potentilla.
The word groundcover came into popular use in the U.S. in the late 1940s. The most popular groundcover then was grass, and it still is. However, grass can be difficult to grow in some spots. Why labour to grow grass where it won't grow? By replacing unhealthy turf grass with a suitable groundcover, you can reduce maintenance and create attractive patterns and areas of colour in your garden.
Groundcovers are planted to cover the ground in a solid mass of foliage. In order to cover the ground in a thick carpet, the plant must be suited to the site, or it will simply not cover ground. There are groundcovers for every spot in the garden -- for sun, shade, under conifers, steep, dry embankments and even soggy bogs.
Choosing a groundcover First, determine as much as you can about the planting site. Note the total space of the area, the amount of sun it receives, the quality of the soil and plants already growing there (even if they are weeds). These facts can help us help you choose the best groundcover for your garden.
How many plants will you need? People often wonder why it matters how far apart plants are spaced if the plants are supposed to grow into a single mass eventually anyway. The reason is simple: if the plants are spaced too far apart, weeds will have a chance to frow and it make take quite a long time for the plants to actually cover the ground. On the other extreme, planting too closely together can be a needless waste of time, money, and plant materials. In addition, there will be increased competition as the plants grow to their full size.
