GROUND COVERS FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA

Transcription

1 GROUND COVERS FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA This program is presented by the Hillsborough County Extension Master Gardener Program Ground Covers: Benefits Low-growing Spread Reduce soil erosion Less maintenance Alternative to grass Where To Plant Ground Covers Anywhere grass is difficult to grow or maintain Steep banks or slopes Shady areas under trees Underplantings in shrub borders and beds For special landscape effects Algerian Ivy Choosing A Ground Cover Preparation Site conditions shade full sun drainage soil conditions Depends on your needs border color erosion prevention Mondo Grass Prepare soil 6 to 8 inches deep Add organic material to increase nutrient and water holding capacity (optional) peat moss leaf mold compost well-rotted manure Society Garlic 1

2 Planting Ground Covers Anytime of the year Arrangement and spacing dependent on type of ground cover Mulch to conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth How To Plant Arrangement and spacing depends on growth characteristics of plant Staggered row planting - quickest cover 2-3 inch mulch layer will conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth Purple Heart False Heather Establishment (Before) After Recommended Ground Covers for Drought-Resistance Large leaves Algerian Ivy Coarse, robust growth habit Deep or filtered shade Space 12 inches apart 2

3 Aloe Variety of shapes, sizes and species (over 300) Slow-growing Full sun to partial shade Well-drained soil Propagate by separating offset pups Asiatic Jasmine 12 inches in height Virtually maintenance-free Partial shade to full sun Evergreen Year 1 - sleeps Year 2 - creeps Year 3 - leaps Establishment (Before) (After) 3

4 Asparagus Fern Evergreen perennial 2-3 tall, up to 10 spread Small white flowers in spring/summer Partial shade Member of the lily family Beach Morning Glory/Railroad Vine Evergreen perennial Thick, flexible stem that branches freely and roots at the nodes Showy, pink to lavender flowers - blooms May through November Coastal species Full sun NATIVE Beach Sunflower Full sun Butterfly attractant Well-drained soil Low growing Relatively quick coverage NATIVE 4

5 Cast Iron Plant Best in medium to dark shade 12 to 24 inches in height Drought tolerant Best in soil enriched with organic matter 2 feet in height Evergreen Sun or shade Coontie Well-adapted to drought and low fertility Slow growing NATIVE Daylily Clump-forming perennial Bears multiple flowers that last only one day Blooming period may be weeks or months Full sun to partial shade Evergreen vine English Ivy Deep or filtered shade Good for small, confined areas Space 12 inches apart 5

6 False Heather Tropical evergreen; 24 inches tall Fernlike appearance Well-drained, fertile soil Partial shade to full sun Susceptible to freeze 12 to 18 inches Shady areas only No pruning No trampling Holly Fern Loose, fibrous, welldrained soil Junipers 6 to 8 inches in height Adapted to full sun Space 18 to 24 inches apart 18 months to 2 years for complete coverage 6

7 Lantana Up to 3 feet in height Will freeze back below 30 degrees Best in full sun Place 12 to 18 inches apart 8 weeks or less for good coverage Liriope 6 to 8 inches in height (depends on variety) Perennial Will perform satisfactorily in partial shade Cold, drought and salt tolerant Mondo Grass Fine texture, dark green 4 to 15 inches in height (many varieties) Dense to partial shade Drought tolerant 8-10 in. spacing 7

8 Oyster Plant 8 to 12 inches in height Leaves - purple underneath, green above Full sun Frost and cold sensitive Slow coverage Full sun Perennial Peanut Drought tolerant; well-drained soil Early spring planting in. spacing months for coverage Purple Heart/Purple Queen Sprawling groundcover with succulent stems Small, pink flowers - blooms during warm weather Full sun to partial shade Year-round color in landscape Will come back from roots after moderate freeze Sensitive Plant Full sun to partial shade Leaves close and appear wilted when disturbed Attractive to bees and butterflies 6-12 in height Sprawling form 8

9 Society Garlic 30 inches in height Long, linear, dark green leaves Year-round flowers Full sun 12 in. spacing 2+ years for coverage Sword Fern 18 to 24 inches in height Shady or sunny locations No trampling No pruning 3 to 4 months for good cover in. spacing NATIVE Attractive yellow flowers Sun or shade Cold tender Good cover in 4-6 months 4-8 in. spacing Wedelia POTENTIALLY INVASIVE!!! More Great Ground Covers! 9

10 Sedum Gold Mound Altenanthera Brazilian Red Hots Ajuga Blue Daze Joseph s Coat As we become increasingly concerned with land and energy use, we seek out new ways to solve landscape problems. The use of low-maintenance ground covers provides us with many practical and beautiful alternatives to nonfunctional/under-performing turf. 10

11 CONTRIBUTORS Lucy Hoyt, Master Gardener Sydney Park Brown, Horticulture Agent (former) Marina D Abreau, Horticulture Agent Thank You! Hillsborough County Extension 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL (813) , ext. 7 OR 11