Do's and Don'ts of Ground Covers

When choosing and planting ground covers, follow these guidelines.

The DO'S of ground covers.

DO select native species whenever possible.

DO monitor all ground cover plantings carefully. Monitor how fast they spread and stop them if they get out of control. Prune regularly to contain them.

DO site aggressive ground covers carefully. They can easily get out of control, so make sure they are contained on all sides.

DO avoid these troublemakers: periwinkles, variegated bishop's weed, Japanese barberry, crown vetch, cypress spurge, mock strawberry, wintercreeper, Japanese fleeceflower, creeping Jenny, variegated ribbon grass and English ivy

The DON'TS of ground covers.

DON'T plant invasive ground covers where they can grow out of bounds into wild areas. They will easily invide these areas if not contained.

DON'T plant invasives along the edge of a garden where they can grow into a neighbor's yard.

DON'T dump pieces (stems, rhizomes, roots) or invasive ground covers on your compost pile.

DON'T share aggresive or invasive ground covers with your gardening friends.