Plant suggestions please - ground cover at base of hedge

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by AndyS, Jan 25, 2019.

  1. AndyS

    AndyS Gardener

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    Hello,

    I'm supporting a church to develop a community garden, to include veg growing area, pollinator friendly zone, activity/workshop area etc

    The garden is long (approx 35m) and relatively narrow (approx 10m). Along the east side of the garden runs a hedgerow (partly well-established mix of elder, blackthorn, hawthorn etc) and partly whips of the same that I've planted for them to fill in the gaps.

    I'm looking for some ground cover plants to put along the base of this hedge, to suppress weeds coming through.

    Conditions - East Yorks Clay soil, shaded/dappled sunlight due to the hedge, need to be low maintenance, perennial/self-seeding and inexpensive to buy/grow.

    I'm much obliged for any and all suggestions from the GC hive mind!

    Best wishes,

    Andy
     
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    • Marley Farley

      Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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      Hi @AndyS if it was me I would go for Hardy geraniums, Lily of the valley, Aubretia, Hellebores, Foxgloves, Celandines, Primrose, Wood anemones, Snowdrops and crocus perhaps.?
       
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      • noisette47

        noisette47 Total Gardener

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        One plant above all springs to mind. Vinca minor. Comes in plain or variegated leaf, blue, purple or white single or double flowers.
         
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        • AndyS

          AndyS Gardener

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          Great suggestions, thanks to you both. I wasn't familiar with Vinca Minor so that's one I'll definitely be trying. Cheers :-)
           
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          • Marley Farley

            Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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            There is vinca minor which comes in three colours
            [​IMG]

            And Vinca majorwhich is bigger and as far as I know only comes in this colour... Not such deep colour often minor but probably most common...
            upload_2019-1-31_18-45-39.jpeg
             
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            • Sheal

              Sheal Total Gardener

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              • Doghouse Riley

                Doghouse Riley Head Gardener

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                We've flox which I planted in 2017 on our rockery next to our koi pool. it's in the shadow of a huge multi-trunk conifer that does drop quite a few needles from the branches in the middle that don't see any light, but the stuff keeps growing and spreading quite nicely and flowers for a long time. Taken in May about a year after I planted it.

                23.JPG
                36.JPG
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                Here's a photo taken this month, it's spread right up to the trunks of the conifers, constantly in the shadow of them and a six foot fence so it should do well under a hedge.

                P1020187.JPG
                 
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                • CanadianLori

                  CanadianLori Total Gardener

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                  @Doghouse Riley you're right. I have phlox in the back garden which comes back every year. And it is -1f right now.

                  Good choice for low maintenance gardening :)
                   
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                • shiney

                  shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                  Yes. It's an excellent ground cover but you need to keep it cut back, not too difficult to dig out any rooted bits that you don't want.

                  We had it growing beneath a stretch of 22 Leyllandii and it did well.
                   
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                  • Marley Farley

                    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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                    You beat me to it @shiney :biggrin:

                    It is really tough stuff too @Sheal can withstand wet or dry no problem! :biggrin:
                     
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                    • Loofah

                      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                      Vinca major is a horrible plant! As soon as you let it get out of control you'll find it everywhere. I was pleased when I managed to finally oust it from the garden!

                      Hellebores should suit, geraniums (although not evergreen), and I have a load of something whick I can't for the life of me remember the name of but self seed so freely the plants always seem to be there.
                       
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                      • noisette47

                        noisette47 Total Gardener

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                        Have to agree about Vinca major. It's hopeless as a ground cover as it 'froggyhops' over vast distances without filling in the gaps! Would your mystery plant be groundsel by any chance, @Loofah?:biggrin:
                         
                      • shiney

                        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                        Vinca minor is smaller, as its name suggests, and doesn't grow as big or spread as much as major.
                         
                      • Sheal

                        Sheal Total Gardener

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                        Thanks Shiney and Marley.:thumbsup:

                        I was thinking on Vinca minor for covering a rough patch in the garden.

                        It is when gardening on rock bed but so is everything else. :biggrin:
                         
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                        • Loofah

                          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                          Nope, I've remembered now it's simple wallflowers. Seed so densely that they cover the ground really well. There's a period where they're a bit tipsy but we all get that lol
                           
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