Let’s Cover Some Ground!
Posted by John Friel on Jul 26th 2022
What comes to mind when someone says “groundcover?”
First, you picture the two or three species you see everywhere. Next, you yawn. Right?
Wake up and smell the coffee! Groundcovers don’t have to be the same old ho-hum stuff. There are fantastic choices in our perennial lineup. Let’s look at a couple.
Most of the year, this is a low-profile, semi-woody groundcover with small, leathery, dark green leaves. In early spring, when it smothers itself in clusters of pure white 2” flowers, it’s one of the showiest perennials you can plant.
The specific epithet means “evergreen,” as the foliage is in all but the coldest extreme of its hardiness range. The straight species is a traditional choice throughout North America. ‘Purity’ represents an update and an upgrade with its larger, more abundant blooms and glossy foliage.
Height 8 - 10”. Hardy in USDA Zones 3 - 9
“One of the finest groundcovers available,” says Dr. Allan Armitage.
This tidy grower features green foliage neatly arranged on long reddish stems. Summer brings a flush of five-petaled yellow flowers that can cover the whole plant.
Both the Latin name and the common name, “St. John’s wort,” refer to the plant’s use in ancient medicine or supernatural protection. We don’t claim healing or magical properties, but it does flower for quite a spell and we’ve detected no evil spirits in our greenhouses.
Height 12 - 18”. Hardy in USDA Zones 5 – 9.
Your customers, and their customers, have some ground to cover. Grow them a fresh pot of coffee to wake up those plantings! Interesting options come in vigorous, smooth-planting, fast-finishing liners from Emerald Coast Growers – the easy choice!