Willow Glen Resident
Gardening
Cover Up: Dwarf coyote brush happens to be one of the toughest groundcovers that will be quite happy almost anywhere that is not shaded.
Carpeting the ground with flowers--or groundcover
By Tony Tomeo
The term "groundcover" is rather mundane. It seems to imply the only function is simply to cover the ground, or that the ground is something that should be covered as if there is no better use for it. To those who do not know what it is, groundcover may not sound much more appealing than asphalt or concrete. It might even seem less appealing than decorative stone, which is at least decorative.
Perhaps groundcover should be known as something more appealing, such as floral floor or foliar carpet, although I would be embarrassed to ask for either at a nursery. Regardless, groundcover can do more than just cover the ground. Management of erosion, weeds and traffic flow are the more common practical uses. Yet, like any other plant in the garden, groundcovers also provide attractive foliage and flowers.
The natural growth habits of each type of groundcover determine what it can be used for. Ivy, knotweed and periwinkle help control surface erosion because they form roots so freely wherever their stems lay on the soil. Also, their dense foliage limits weed growth. However, they are not very effective barriers, since they are easily trampled. Bougainvillea and natal plum may not help with erosion, but are effective thorny barriers for where hedges would be too tall.
Some of the most popular groundcovers are spreading or even clumping perennials, usually planted as small plants from flats. Wild strawberry, iceplants (including Carpobrotus), African daisy and trailing gazanias may not look like much when first planted, but they spread out over bare soil, rooting as they go, until the area is covered by a uniform mat of perennial foliage and flowers. Clumping gazanias do not cover the ground as rapidly or as uniformly as the trailing types do, but have more flower colors.
Low-growing shrubs, such as dwarf coyote brush and prostrate cultivars (cloned varieties) of junipers, manzanitas and ceanothus are deeper groundcovers. They can be planted as rooted cutting from flats, or as No. 1 (one-gallon) plants. Like perennial groundcovers, most will root as they spread. Some can get overly deep when they lack space to expand horizontally, but most are easily pruned down.
A few vines, such as star jasmine, honeysuckle and English and Algerian ivy, are also useful groundcovers. The main problem with some groundcover vines, and particularly these three, is that they will climb if they get a chance. If not controlled, they can overwhelm trees and shrubbery. Ivy can even climb and root into painted walls; removal of the clinging vines will also remove much of the paint.
Both vines and shrubbery can collect debris, litter and rodents (such as rats) if they get too deep. Leaves and debris from trees and other plants are rarely a problem because they either decay below the groundcover, or can be raked off the top. Litter is typically only a tolerably minor problem at sidewalks. However, if rodents become a problem, it may be necessary to replace deep groundcover with something shallower.
Groundcover of the Week: dwarf coyote brush
Grooming a short coyote probably is not a task that many of us need to be concerned with. Finding a tough ground or bank cover for a harsh exposure might be, though. Dwarf coyote brush, Baccharis pilularis, happens to be one of the toughest groundcovers that will be quite happy almost anywhere that is not shaded. It is native to the coast between Monterey and Sonoma counties, where it thrives without any attention or watering. Away from the coast, it looks better with not much more than monthly watering through summer.
Mature plants may spread more than 6 feet and can get as high as 2. Crowded plants may get even deeper if they have no more space to spread. If space is still available after mature plants have spread as far as they can, outer stems simply root where they lay on the ground, to form new plants that can spread as far as the original plants did.
The half-inch-long, coarsely textured foliage is forest green. Aggressive shearing or pruning in early spring, promptly followed by application of a nitrogen fertilizer, limits height and keeps foliage fresh looking. Foliage can rot if watered too much from above.
Listen to Tony Tomeo's 'New Image Garden Report' Friday mornings at 8:10 a.m. on KSCO-1080 AM (or online at www.ksco.com). He can be reached at www.ttomeo@newimagelandscape.com or 408.358.2574.
Cover Up: Dwarf coyote brush happens to be one of the toughest groundcovers that will be quite happy almost anywhere that is not shaded.
