Jump to content
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT LOGGING IN ×
  • WELCOME GUEST

    It looks as if you are viewing PalmTalk as an unregistered Guest.

    Please consider registering so as to take better advantage of our vast knowledge base and friendly community.  By registering you will gain access to many features - among them are our powerful Search feature, the ability to Private Message other Users, and be able to post and/or answer questions from all over the world. It is completely free, no “catches,” and you will have complete control over how you wish to use this site.

    PalmTalk is sponsored by the International Palm Society. - an organization dedicated to learning everything about and enjoying palm trees (and their companion plants) while conserving endangered palm species and habitat worldwide. Please take the time to know us all better and register.

    guest Renda04.jpg

Groundcover plant ideas


Walter John

Recommended Posts

I've had a go at a couple of different groundcover plant ideas and here's just one of them. It's Ivy Geranium and I have it growing as you can see under what I call my Latania garden. This area includes crotons, cordylines and a few other palms.

I have also tried in a small area, some mondo grass, what other ground covers are you kind folks trying or would like to try ?

Lataniaivygeranium1.jpg

Happy Gardening

Cheers,

Wal

Queensland, Australia.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Excuse to show a close up photo, same spot, same Ivy Geranium.

Ivygeranium800.jpg

Happy Gardening

Cheers,

Wal

Queensland, Australia.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ivy Gernaium (Pelargonium peltatum) is great if you're in a dry place, i.e., somewhere that won't get watered much more than about once a week or ever ten days or so in the heat of summer.

Too much water and they rot, and I learned that, as ever, the hard way . . . . :(

dave

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ever since seeing it at DypsisDeans house in California I have been using Iresine herbstii as groundcover.It's colors against the green of the Palms is a great look.

                                 Shon

San Marcos CA

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not real big on traditional ground cover but I have a very small patch of Lamium (Dead Nettle) that's real nice.  It's two tone light green leaves and light purple little flowers contrast nicely with the dark dirt.  Other than that, I use impatiens and caladiums.  I got a big bag of caladium tubers this spring for real cheap, so now I have caladium all over the place...it's very colorful.  Dypsis Dean told me about the benefits of growing impatiens in the garden.  He said that they are a good indicator of soil moisture and frost evidence.  I've found this to be true.  They wilt when left to dry out and they immediately show damage right about 32F.

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

(MattyB @ Jul. 12 2006,01:11)

QUOTE
 Dypsis Dean told me about the benefits of growing impatiens in the garden.  He said that they are a good indicator of soil moisture and frost evidence.  I've found this to be true.  They wilt when left to dry out and they immediately show damage right about 32F.

Matt-

How late into the year can you keep the impatiens growing?  Ive tried them before but can never seem to keep them going much past April  :(

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've found it too the impatiens don't like our heat. Come april and they start dying to the ground. They self seed and some will come back next year when it's cooler.

Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For palms that make shade-baby tears.In sun, corsican mint or blue star creeper..even Bacopa or moneywort.All of those enjoy dappeled sun and the heavy watering palms need.For full sun i'm trying a new sport of Dichondra that is pure silver.I have that around my sun loving Cycads.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How late into the year can you keep the impatiens growing?  Ive tried them before but can never seem to keep them going much past April  

I can grow them fine all year round.  Yes they will suffer in the heat if left in full sun for more than a couple of hours, but all of mine are under palms so they only see a few hours when the angle of the sun goes down.  I get into the high 80's pretty much everyday durring the summer and see high 90's for several weeks as well.  It must be the shade and constantly moist soil.  One note about the impatiens as soil moisture and temp. indicators:  This only applies to the standard, cheap impatiens, not the hybrids or special varieties.  This is what Dean told me.

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wal,

I've got hillsides to deal with, so I opted for something that trailed and roots as it gos. I've had very good luck with Vinca minor. It's medium in it's water requirements, & is not overly invasive. Mine took the better part of a year to get rolling, but it's the best I've tried.

B/R's

Bret

Bret

 

Coastal canyon area of San Diego

 

"In the shadow of the Cross"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...