QUESTION: Interesting Ground Cover?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by SvenLittkowski, Apr 22, 2013.

  1. SvenLittkowski

    SvenLittkowski Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Messages:
    139
    Location:
    18°00'33.64" N 76°46'50.73" W
    Ratings:
    +5
    Hi, dear forum community.

    I do some landscape design in my garden, and put on the ground some flat stones as walk way. In between, there are niches where the naked top soil is visible.

    I would like to get ideas, which low plant I can use instead of grass, to fill out these gaps. Even better, if someone might even have the seeds. I then would offer a seed exchange (offering seeds of my chocolate plants = cocoa, and of my Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee).

    Thanks for your nice assistance!
     
  2. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
    Messages:
    61,004
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired - Last Century!!!
    Location:
    Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +117,318
    I'm sorry I can't help you but I don't know the plants that grow in your part of the world. :)
     
  3. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2008
    Messages:
    12,394
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Guildford
    Ratings:
    +21,177
    Try out some camomile. Good cover and smells nice too:)
     
  4. Victoria

    Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2006
    Messages:
    30,126
    Occupation:
    Lady of Leisure
    Location:
    Messines, Algarve
    Ratings:
    +49,916
    You could also try the low-growing Thymes (various scents so nice when walked on) or Creeping Sorrell ... except you'll have it everywhere then ...
     
  5. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,589
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,124
    Hmm tricky one..
    Dymondia margaretae would be good as hugs the ground & is pretty drought tolereant .. http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/dymmar.htm
    Delosperma - jewel of the desert perhaps..
    Carpobrotus - hottentot fig..

    Depending on the size of your gaps, what about some Wedelia - Creeping Oxeye, but that is probably going to be too tall even if dry Sven.. It grows out there in quite allot of places, if kept dry once it has established it stays small & green..
    Thyme grows out there & would withstand a little walking on & smell nice..
     
  6. SvenLittkowski

    SvenLittkowski Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Messages:
    139
    Location:
    18°00'33.64" N 76°46'50.73" W
    Ratings:
    +5
    Of all the answers up to know, I like the Dymondia margaretae most. Thanks. Does anyone have seeds of it? Here in the Caribbean, impossible to get.

    To give you a better idea, see the attached photo. I need the plants for in between the walk way stone plates.
    Photo0228.jpg

    Or, if not, of which ground covers - not taller than 3 to 5 cm ideally - does anyone have seeds?
     
  7. landimad

    landimad Odd man rather than Land man

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2012
    Messages:
    1,039
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Rail worker
    Location:
    Fenlands proper now
    Ratings:
    +915
    Sven, have you thought about Jamaican Sorrel as a low growing ground cover plant?
     
  8. SvenLittkowski

    SvenLittkowski Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Messages:
    139
    Location:
    18°00'33.64" N 76°46'50.73" W
    Ratings:
    +5
    No, not really. I grow sorrel, but it is a bush. What I need is a small or tiny plant, maybe a moss, for in between the walk tiles, see the photo above. A plant, not getting taller than maximum 4 centimeters. A moss would be great!

    But this threat is a bit more than just a question for consulting. I also connect this subject with a small focused seed swap.

    I need the seeds of such a plant, too. I offer seeds of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee and Jamaican Chocolate (cocoa) in exchange.
     
  9. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,589
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,124
    Sven do you have friends or contacts in the states..? I cannot find seed here, I know it grows well in California see if you can get some from there or could you import the plants from USA to Jamaica..?
     
  10. landimad

    landimad Odd man rather than Land man

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2012
    Messages:
    1,039
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Rail worker
    Location:
    Fenlands proper now
    Ratings:
    +915
    As a flowering alternative Sven, what about these;
    • Aubretia 'Cascade Blue'
    • Sweet William Mix (Dianthus barbatus 'Nanus')
    • Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
    It may not be what you are looking for, but a good show never the less.
     
  11. landimad

    landimad Odd man rather than Land man

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2012
    Messages:
    1,039
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Rail worker
    Location:
    Fenlands proper now
    Ratings:
    +915
  12. SvenLittkowski

    SvenLittkowski Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Messages:
    139
    Location:
    18°00'33.64" N 76°46'50.73" W
    Ratings:
    +5
    Marley Farley:
    I wished! Bought some seeds in the USA, but they do not ship to Jamaica. I really need someone there to receive them, and send them to Jamaica.

    Landimad:
    I like your suggestions. But have questions.
    Aubretia 'Cascade Blue': Is it fragrant? Do you have seeds of it?
    Dianthus barbatus: Is it fragrant? Do you have seeds of it?
    Moss: Do you have seeds of it?
     
  13. landimad

    landimad Odd man rather than Land man

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2012
    Messages:
    1,039
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired Rail worker
    Location:
    Fenlands proper now
    Ratings:
    +915
    I have aubretia and no, not scented to my knowledge.
    Dianthus is scented, but alas no seed.
    Moss, no seed never had to think about seed for this as it seems to like my lawn and pots to much.
     
  14. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,589
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,124
    Hmm are you sure they don't ship to Jamaica Sven..? We had a load of different stuff shipped out to us in Jamaica from USA & specifically CA & Florida... Why not contact a few seed people in the USA & see if they will ship..?
     
  15. SvenLittkowski

    SvenLittkowski Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Messages:
    139
    Location:
    18°00'33.64" N 76°46'50.73" W
    Ratings:
    +5
    Well, the last time I ordered, it was at Seedman, I would have had to pay an additional 17 US$ just to ship 5 seeds to Jamaica instead of a US address. Some others indeed don't ship (see Ebay). Some ship normally, but simply don't have what I want. :-)
     
Loading...

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice