Groundcovers To Keep The Weeds Away

You can use weed-matting and gravel, artificial grass, cement, or be constantly on your knees to get rid of weeds. The much more rewarding way to deal with this garden headache is simply to plant a mass of tough groundcovers.

Keep your weed busters happy

Clear the planting area for groundcovers from existing weeds, stones and old plant roots. If you are not impatient you can even wait for two weeks to remove any newly germinated weeds as well.
Prepare the area with generous amounts of compost and 60 grams of bonemeal per square metre. You can add a balanced slow-release fertiliser too.
Water regularly after planting until you see growth when it could be toned down to two or three times a week depending on the weather.
Rejuvenate groundcovers by pruning them lightly during summer with a hedge trimmer. Those that root automatically as they spread can be divided and replanted in compost-enriched soil now and again, which will also give them new vigour.

Convolvulus sabatius

Bindweed roots as it spreads (but not invasively) and is a highly recommended fast-growing groundcover.

Attributes: Dense, mint-green leaves and masses of sky-blue, open trumpet-shaped flowers in spring and summer.

Climate: Temperate and subtropical.

Position: Full sun and light shade (morning sun).

Water: Well-draining soil with regular watering.

Asystasia gangetica

The creeping foxglove is a rampant and spreading indigenous groundcover which is perfect to cover large expanses fast. It roots easily at stem nodes and is loved by honeybees and butterflies.

Attributes: Dark green foliage and creamy-white foxglove-like flowers with a pleasant fragrance from autumn to spring.

Climate: Temperate with light to moderate frost.

Position: Full sun and shade.

Water: Low to medium water needs.

Carissa macrocarpa ‘Green Carpet’

The dwarf Natal plum with a height of only 30cm and a spread of 1m is perfect for wildlife gardens or where security is an issue as it can also play the role of a low barrier with its sharp thorns.

Attributes: Beautiful glossy and dark green foliage, with jasmine-like white flowers in spring which are followed by edible, red fruits in summer. Great bird attractor.

Climate: Hot and dry with light to moderate frost.

Position: Full sun to deep shade.

Water: Regular water needed to establish well, and then very drought tolerant.

Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Kyoto’

Dwarf mondo grasses form dense clumps resulting in a rich texture at ground level and can even be a replacement for traditional lawn grass in small gardens. Their roots are strong and thick when established which makes them not allow competition from other plants such as weeds.

Attributes: Graceful and glossy dark green ribbon-like foliage.

Climate: Very hardy and suitable to all climes.

Position: Full sun to deep shade.

Water: Regular deep watering needed to establish and to stay lush.

Stachys byzantine

Lamb’s ears is trouble-free and rapidly forms a dense mat along the ground with a height of about 40cm.

Attributes: The silver-grey colour of the thick, soft and velvety leaves complements all plants growing near it which makes it perfect for weed-free bordering. Erect flowering stems with spikes of insignificant purplish-pink flowers will appear in summer but is best removed to channel energy into producing more lush leaves.

Climate: Suitable to dry climates and cold and frost hardy.

Position: Full sun to light shade.

Water: Quite drought tolerant so do not overwater.