Low-growing plants that spread quickly to form a dense cover are known as ground covering plants or ground covers. Such plants control the growth of weeds and makes it easy to maintain the garden. A simple example of a ground covers is "grass". There are a wide variety of grasses that can spread quickly and also prevent the growth of weeds. However, there are areas, which are not suited to grow or maintain grasses. In such areas, plants known as ground covers could be planted. These plants would not only give finishing touches to any kind of landscaping, but also effectively reduce the maintenance of the garden.
Advantages of Ground Cover Plants
There are many advantages of having ground covers in your garden. Here are a few of them.
- Ground covers help to reduce the germination of weeds, as they cover the entire ground like a carpet. It is easy to maintain the landscape as they prevent the ingress of the weeds.
- These plants reduce soil erosion and water loss and are ideal for steep slopes because they conserve soil.
- It is an insulating cover for the soil. Since it keeps the soil cool in the summer and warm during the winter months.
- Ground covers help to build the humus level in the soil, by acting as living mulch. A few varieties are a good companion for bulbs (e.g. lily) and other plants. These plants are also habitats for beneficial insects.
- There are many ground covers which are herbs and are used as medicines for home remedies. There are also a few, "food" cover plants, such as spinach.
- Such plants are practical for the areas where growing turf grass is not possible.
- You can plant drought-tolerant ground covers near the sidewalks and steep slopes, where it is not possible to irrigate or water the plants regularly.
Here are a few disadvantages.
- Slugs, snakes, snails and pests, make these plants, their habitats. For instance, if the area is popular with slugs, it is wise not grow slug-susceptible plants.
- Ground covers compete for water and fertilizer with other plants.
- You should choose such plants carefully for your garden. The reason is, if the ground cover is very vigorous in growth, it can over-run the plants you want to grow.
- It is a fact that these plants are weed suppressors, however, till these plants establish themselves, you have to keep the landscape free from weeds.
