One of the most effective ways to reduce garden maintenance is to plant ground cover densely enough to exclude weeds by blocking light at soil level. Once established, a good ground cover planting can virtually eliminate hand weeding from a border, freeing up time for more enjoyable garden tasks.
Best Ground Cover Plants for Sunny Borders
Sunny, well-drained borders in Hampshire suit Mediterranean-style ground covers that need minimal attention once established.
- Geranium x magnificum — bold purple flowers, dense cover
- Nepeta (catmint) — silvery foliage, long-flowering season
- Ajuga reptans — evergreen, purple foliage, spring flowers
- Stachys byzantina (lamb's ear) — silver, tactile, drought-tolerant
- Helianthemum — low-growing, masses of summer flowers
Ground Cover for Shade
Epimedium, Pachysandra and Vinca are all robust shade-tolerant ground covers that will spread to fill gaps within two or three seasons. Plant at roughly 30–40cm spacing for best results.
Planting for Success
Prepare the ground thoroughly before planting — remove all perennial weed roots. Apply a thick mulch immediately after planting and keep well-watered in the first season. After that, these plants largely take care of themselves.
A&T Landscapes can design and install low-maintenance planting schemes for any garden across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. Call 07735 916029 for a free consultation.