Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
Dear readers, The summer is going fast as everyone is having fun especially that we just wrapped up the festivities of the 10 days Calgary Stampede. The weather cooperated in a way where it showered during the parade but it all went well. I’m sure that the organizers of Calgary Stampede were all happy with an [...]
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Gardening – PERENNIAL GROUNDCOVERS

If most of you gardeners are like me your all eager to get outside and start digging and planting. Conditions as of this writing are not suitable ,however I’ll cover a topic that can be dwelled on as a chose for some of your needs.

Perennial groundcovers are a single type of plant that covers the ground with a thick mass of foliage, some bloom profusely and some have non distinct blooms and some have colourful foliage. Some types of groundcover are quite evasive and difficult to control, and there are types that are very unique, infact most all can be considered evasive but most are easy to control and need hardly any maintance.

Lily-of-the-vally – grows in shade, moist or dry areas, fertile or poor soil, spreads by its vigorous root system. Has white clusters of bell shaped flowers that are secented. Plants grow to 10 inches and spreads rapidly and is hard to control. Does well under trees but keep it isolated from your other plants.

Goutweed – aka- Snow-on-the-mountian, grows absolutly anywhere except on concrete and steel, has a vigorous root system tha is hard to control. Is ideal for isolated locations,grows to 12 inches has atractive green,yellow, cream to white foliage. Don’t let it spread into other plants.

Snowdrop anemone – spreads by fluffy seed heads which are easy to snap off or just pull up any unwanted plants. Plant height is about 5 inches and bloom in lavender, rose, pink, white and cream. Anemone like moist soil and prefer partial shade. Bloom late spring to mid summer.

Thyme- spreads in a dence mass of soft fuzzy silvery/grey leaves, 3 inches high. Runners take root on the surface every 5-6 inches or so. Will spread over rocks, between stepping stones and crevices. Masses of tiny blooms attract bees . Flowers in purple, red, white and pink. Does well in full sun to partial shade.

Creeping phlox- grows about 3 inches high, is ideal for slopes, borders and rock gardens. Can be easly controled by pulling or digging up. Blooms in deep blue from spring to late summer. Prefers full sun to partial shade

Fleeceflower- 4-6 inches has low growing mass of leaves with 6-8 inch pink spikes that turn to rust red in the fall. Grows well in poor soil, on slopes and difficult areas. Requires sun to partial shade.

Sedum- there are about a dozen types, all very showy and attractive groundcovers, some with varigated foliage of red,silver and green and bloom in pink, yellow, red and orange. All are hardy in this region and prefer hot dry sunny locations.

For-get-me-nots – are about 6 inches high, prefers shade to some sun in mornings or evenings. Blooms in tiny pea size ice blue flowers that last spring to late summer. Prefers moist soil.

Lamium – 6-8 inches high does well in moist soil, has colourful foliage, spreads well, easy to control, and is suitable for that hard to grow anything location. Requires shade and blooms in pink white and purple. There are about a half dozen types, and all have attractive foliage.

Creeping jenny- 2-4 inches high, grows well in moist, wet, sun, shade, slopes and poor soil. Blooms throughout the summer in penny sized yellow blooms.

Cranesbill geranium- 6-10 inches tall has attractive foliage on dence mounds. Flowers are about 1 inch in dia. of red, pink, lavender, and white in colour, blooming late spring to late summer. Prefers full sun to partial shade and good soil.

I’ve covered the most common types but there are more like potentilla, sage, lady’s mantle, elephant ears, pinks and rockcress. I recommend you try some that I have listed, you will be pleasantly suprized.

Happy Gardening

H. Kriaski

Gardening – PERENNIAL GROUNDCOVERS

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