Page 7 - Sonoma County Gardeners Resource Guide 2017.indd

GROUND COVERS cont’d from page 6
Lamium maculatum - Although Lamium m. can die completely back in winter, the delicate leaves with silvery colored variegation are stunning. Lovely pink flowers are a bonus!
Prefer Light Shade:
Vinca minor ‘Atropurpurea’ - This Vinca (unlike Vinca Major) spreads slowly and has purple flowers.
Silene dioica ‘Clifford Moor’ -
variegated yellow and green leaves
with pink flowers in spring. Low
care, slowly spreads and can add
brightness in a shade garden.
Contain these! The following
ground covers are each beautiful in
their own way but beware of planting them in ground. Sometimes aggressive ground covers can look amazing in a container but be careful that it doesn’t spread by seed blown into your garden or by escaping out through the drainage hole.
Lamium maculatum ‘Beacon Silver’
Dymondia margaretae - Dymondia is an awesome ground hugging plant that can add enticing texture and variegation to your design. The downside is, keeping it weed free can be time consuming to accomplish.
Lamium galeobdolon (Yellow archangel) - Once established, it will take over your garden whether you water it or not.
Vinca major - Can take over your garden. Better to plant Vinca minor! Persicaria capitata - “no irrigation needed” ground covers. Beautiful & Scary! Houttuynia cordata - This aggressive spreader has variegation that is tinged
with pink and red. Plant this in a container to safely enjoy the splashes of color and crisp scent. Houttuynia dies back completely in winter, only to spread underground and come back, seemingly everywhere, in spring.
Mary Frost is the sole proprietor of The Gardening Tutor, a hands-on, individualized gardening instruction and consulting service. You can sign up for FREE monthly gardening tips at thegardeningtutor.net and see more tips on The Gardening Tutor YouTube Channel and Facebook page. For more information contact Mary at thegardeningtutor.net or 707.545.6863
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