Ground Cover & Autumn Leaves

[jonereb]

I'm thinking about planting ground cover under trees in my yard where the ground is bare. But this is an area where I blow leaves in the autumn and crunch them with the lawnmower. So the ground cover needs to be very hardy and tolerant of abuse. I don't want ivy, but I'd consider something that doesn't get too tall -- no taller than a mowed lawn. Any ideas?

 

[Sheal]

The only plants I can think of at lawn level are Clover or Celandine.

 

[jonereb]

I guess they don't have to be "lawn level" -- they just need to easily recover after I mow the leaves over the top of them and then rake the leaves into a pile to decompose during the winter.

 

[Mrsclem]

Creeping thyme would be a good choice.

 

[jonereb]

I like the creeping thyme suggestion, but from what I've read, it needs 4 hours of sun to bloom. It'll be in shade most of the day in one location. May work okay in another section of the yard.

 

[Mrsclem]

It may not bloom but still a nice ground cover. We have it in a section of yard that gets no sun at all and it's spreading fast. Smells great too

 

[DirtMechanic]

The best thing I have found is to limb up the trees to the point that morning or afternoon sun can get in there to grow grass.

 

[Becky]

Vinca minor maybe? It's happy in the shade, but I'm not sure how well it would cope with being mowed. It's very pretty though

 

[alp]

agree with Becky - vinca is very tough and get the purple /violet. It's very pretty. Not the blue ones. They will tolerate the shade. Vinca purpureus fits the bill.

 

[jonereb]

Thanks for the suggestions, y'all. I'm thinking about Creeping Thyme around a raised bed with a birdbath. Perhaps Creeping Jenny and Hostas inside the raised bed where I can keep Creeping Jenny contained. I may let the Thyme spill from an overturned pottery at the edge of the raised bed. Maybe two overturned vessels, one on each corner, with two different colors of thyme. This bed will be underneath a medium size Live Oak opposite a stone patio where I take my afternoon coffee break. Too much? What do you think?

 

[Mrsclem]

Sounds great! Post pics when its done.

 

[alp]

Sounds great! Post pics when its done.

Yes, please do! Love a pic to feast my eyes! Thymes, especially lemon thyme smell heavenly. I killed it!

 

[bubba man]

what can i grow [ GROUND COVER ] in full sun - very hot here in N.C. 90`s every day

 

[alp]

Candytuft the low growing ones, aurbretia or cover the plants with shringles to prevent evaporation or grow house leek. I will go to Hyde Hall and see what I can find. Hopefully soon.