Groundcovers—nature’s carpet
We all know that what makes our home warm and luxurious is the big furry rug in front of the TV, or the carpet we step on to when we get out of bed.
If we want to create a human-friendly garden, then we need to create comfort, luxury and warmth underfoot, and this is where groundcovers come in.
Although lawns are still the most popular form of nature’s carpet, with water restrictions the way they are, I'm more inclined to use other forms of outdoor ‘carpet’ in places where the ground isn’t going to be used for play or picnics. The right groundcovers will stay looking better through a dry spell longer than any turf, and the fact that you don’t have to mow every few weeks is definitely a plus!
The type of plants we're talking about are those that spread out over the ground—runners, trailers, creepers and prostrate plants that reach out with a net of stems, including low-spreading shrubs and small perennials and succulents that clump out and multiply in dense groupings.
Groundcovers not only act as a living insulator or mulch, keeping the sun and weeds out, but they can work to direct foot traffic and soften the feel of man-made floors.
Some of my favourite groundcovers are:
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Actinotus helianthi Federation Stars Range FLANNEL FLOWER
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Ajuga Reptans cvs CARPET BUGLE WEED
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Banksia Spinulosa 'Birthday Candles' BIRTHDAY CANDLES BANKSIA
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Carpbrotus glaucescens PIG FACE
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Dianella 'Little Rev' LITTLE REV FLAX LILY
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Euphorbia tirucalli 'Firesticks' FIRESTICKS
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Zephranthes candida STORM FLOWER
• For more see my book
The Source Book Second Edition
