5 Fast-Growing Ground Cover Choices For Difficult Locations

There are times when any gardener needs a quick growing type plant for fast exterior of bare soil in beds or on a sloped bank. Possibly you have just started a new perennial bed, and would like a way to fill in the bare spots until the perennials have reached their mature growth. Or you have planted trees and need a ground cover that can tolerate the shade below its branches.

[b]Catmint[/b]

Areas of bare ground can be transformed quite swiftly with a rug of low growing plants. Bare soil is a magnet for weeds, which if allowed, can become established and set seed very quickly. On banks, erosion is a more serious qoute from both wind and rain. Planting these spots with fast growing cover plants not only solves these two inherent problems, but makes areas more attractive.

Variegated periwinkle (Vinca major) is one of the best choices for a large area that needs a fast growing and vigorous ground cover. With its white and green perennial leaves and its pretty blue-violet flowers, it does need to be sited with care since it will spread very quickly. Long shoots grow almost overnight, and will re-root where they touch the soil. These hardy plants flower best with some sun, but will also grow well in shade where the variegated foliage adds a light touch. One warning - this can become invasive swiftly if not controlled.

Serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) is other good selection where a fast growing ground cover is required. With clusters of lavender-blue star shaped flowers, it shows well. This plant spreads by inexpressive runners, so should not be placed where it can overwhelm other less vigorous growing plants. You can assuredly chop off the outer sections of the clump with a spade.

Blue catmint (Nepeta faassenii) is the third selection for an fast growing easy-cover plant. It has aromatic foliage of small silvery gray leaves and sprays of pale lavender-blue flowers. It does prefer a sunny spot, but will tolerate some shade. This plant should be placed where it can sprawl over the edges of a raised bed or edge a path where its scent can be released as it is brushed against.

Prostrate junipers such as Blue rug (Juniperus squamata) are other good selection for ground covers. With spreading ground-hugging branches covered with silvery-blue needle-like leaves, this one looks good all year. It will grow in almost any conditions, and is particularly suitable for planting on banks and slopes.

Spreading roses (Rosa sp.) are very beneficial and attractive ways to cover large areas of ground. With masses of flowers, they form a prostrate rug that looks gorgeous most of the summer. The long prickly stems rapidly spread so plant these where you want to control soil erosion. Many of the new varieties of blanketing roses are problem free and very hardy. They look particularly good tumbling over a wall or trailing down a sloped spot. Many varieties are available, in colors fluctuating from white through pinks and peach to vivid reds.

Choose any of these five quick ground covers for soil stabilization, weed control or just for aesthetic motion in a difficult spot.

5 Fast-Growing Ground Cover Choices For Difficult Locations