Ground cover against weeds: This is how dense carpets of plants succeed

plant cover
Ground cover against weeds: This creates an impenetrable carpet of plants

Weeds are usually only controlled when they have already spread. However, removal is a never-ending cycle. To nip the troublemakers (literally) in the bud, you can take preventive measures – and plant decorative and bee-friendly ground covers.

Even if the name suggests that ground cover plants are only planted at ground level, the natural weed killers can be used in many ways: Whether in a perennial bed, along a stone wall or between the paving joints – the dense plant covers can grow anywhere and fill bare spots, so that wild herbs don’t even germinate . And the best thing about it is that ground covers are not only practical, since many varieties are hardy and evergreen, but they are also beautiful to look at. Especially if you choose flowering perennials, shrubs or climbing plants. In the following we present five plant carpets that are equally suitable for the garden and terrace.

These five groundcovers help against weeds

1. Blue carpet phlox

It is not without reason that this ground cover is called carpet phlox, because the plants develop into a beautiful (in this case bluish to purple) carpet of flowers in the course of spring – well into June. The natural weed killer then remains evergreen and is therefore a beautiful sight all year round. It is also good to know that the groundcover is drought-resistant and hardy, which makes it an easy-care and undemanding plant. In addition, it prefers a sunny to partially shaded place in order to – in the truest sense of the meaning – achieve its full bloom.

2. Blue cushion flowers

This is particularly suitable for beds and rock gardens blue pillow. The evergreen ground cover blooms between April and May – in all its glory. The prerequisite for this, however, is that you plant a large number of cushion flowers (9 – 12 per m²) so that an area-wide carpet of plants can develop. As far as the location is concerned, the hardy groundcover prefers a sunny spot. Accordingly, drought does not bother him much. It is also particularly nice that the blue cushion flower acts as a pasture for insects and bees, thus doing its service to people and nature.

3. Hardy Ivy

Ivy is known for its stubbornness – making it an ideal ground cover for weed control. The hardy and evergreen climbing plant is particularly easy to care for, so all you have to do is watch the robust ivy developed into an impenetrable carpet of plants with its adhesive roots. As far as the location is concerned, the ground cover is uncomplicated: a shady spot is sufficient. It is also good to know that after a few years, ivy begins to form umbel-shaped flowers in late summer. These in turn serve as a source of food for bees and insects.

4. Evergreen Ysander

Also known as the fat man, the Ysander due to its dense root runners as a ground cover against weeds. The densely growing plant usually gets small white flowers around May and thus also serves as a source of food for insects and bees, for the rest of the year it is green all the time. It is not without reason that Ysander is also referred to as shadow green, as it thrives particularly well in partially shaded and shady places. So that weeds don’t stand a chance, you should plan at least nine individual plants per square meter for the ground cover – and a maximum of twelve.

5. Spanish Daisy

The hardy cushion perennial is a real eye-catcher, as the flowers appear between May and September in a pink robe and then turn white. The insect-friendly ground cover is suitable for rock gardens, but also for greening areas. So that spanish daisies spreads as quickly as possible and thus takes away the weeds’ habitat, you should plant between nine and twelve plants per square meter in the ground. If possible in a sunny location, but a semi-shady place would also work if necessary.

Planting ground cover: This is important to consider

If you decide to use a ground cover against weeds, you should consider the following steps in advance:

First: Root weeds have a bad habit of spreading quickly in the soil, even if there are only tiny remnants left in the soil. It is therefore advisable to sift the soil before planting – preferably with one digging fork and one garden sieve. So you can be confident that you haven’t overlooked any roots. To be absolutely sure, you should cover the soil with some compost and wait a while to see if the weeds start to sprout again. If this is the case, you can remove the remains before planting the ground cover.

Secondly: If you want to create an impenetrable carpet of flowers in a short time, you should choose the smallest possible distances between the individual plants. Because: The greater the distance, the longer it takes for the ground cover to spread across the entire area – and thus no more weeds can grow back. As long as this is not the case, the unwanted wild herbs will continue to grow and have to be weeded out regularly. However, it is important that you stick to the recommended number of pieces per square meter that the relevant nursery specifies.

Third: When planting ground cover, remember that it takes time for them to grow into a blanket of flowers. Until then, the annoying weeds have an easy time of it – so it can make sense to put the plants in the ground in autumn. This gives them more time to spread their roots and to cover all the places where the unloved weeds normally spread until next spring. This lead is helpful but not necessary.

Source: my beautiful garden

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