How to Use Groundcovers to Control Erosion in Your Garden
Stop erosion and transform dangerous slopes into verdant garden features with the help of low-growing ground covers. These plants stabilize banks, slow down rain and wind-whittling soil, and even benefit larger shrubs and trees! Muddy runoff after a rainstorm means exposed soil is carried away by water and wind. Ground covers prevent this by anchoring the soil with their dense foliage.
Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata provides a colorful carpet of blooms in spring that can help hide unsightly landscape areas. This low-growing perennial is a good choice for slopes and hillsides, as it is one of the best erosion control plants for these types of areas. It can also be used to cover bulbs and flower beds. Hummingbirds, bumblebees, butterflies, and honey are all drawn to this plant’s flowers. It tolerates full sun but grows more quickly in dappled shade. This ground cover performs well in most climate zones 3 through 9. Expert installation of the groundcovers Alpine San Diego is possible, and they are simple to plant where there is room and to make sure they survive.
When planting, deeply soak the planting site. It helps to ensure that the roots are well-hydrated and established better in the soil. Watering with a liquid plant food helps to promote deeper root growth. Creeping phlox requires very little maintenance, though it is a good idea to prune dead stems in late summer to encourage some reblooming for the following season. It also helps to crowd out weeds and to keep the area looking tidy.
Virginia Creeper
Lesser periwinkle, or vinca minor, is another excellent ground cover for erosion control. It thrives under shaded conditions and forms an attractive mat of foliage that prevents soil runoff. This evergreen vine is native to most eastern United States and Texas. It can withstand acidity or alkalinity and thrive in various soil types. This low-growing groundcover produces small flowers in spring and berries in summer, and its leaves turn a vibrant bronze or purple in autumn. It prefers partial shade but can thrive in full sun. It attaches to walls by branched tendrils with adhesive “pads” on its tips, which allow it to climb and drape along rock or brick walls. Ajuga, a perennial groundcover, adds beauty and function to gardens by holding banks and slopes together. Its leaves come in various colors, tolerating multiple conditions, from wet to dry. It can be planted from seed or bought as sod.
Bugleweed
Ajuga (ah-ju-guy) is a hardy ground cover that fills low areas quickly, smothering weeds and controlling erosion. It grows in sun or shade and is not fussy about soil so long as it is well-draining. In the spring, it produces spikes of blue flowers. Another option is pachysandra (pa-chys-an-dra), which grows well in shade and can tolerate light foot traffic. It is great for edging garden beds and textural planting between flagstones or pavers in a stone/rock garden.
Another perennial that does well as a low-growing ground cover is kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). It can be planted in full sun or part shade and is good for rocky gardens. It has dense, tufted foliage that does a good job of covering the ground and chokes out weeds. In the fall, it produces tiny white flowers attracting bees and pollinators. It also grows under shrubs and trees. Fall is the best time to plant these types of ground covers since they are acclimated to cool temperatures and require less watering than plants planted in the summer.
Creeping Juniper
Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) is a low-growing ground cover useful for taming steep slopes and covering bare spots. Even in winter, its evergreen foliage adds color and texture to the garden. Junipers also offer valuable wildlife benefits. Their berry-like cones provide food for birds and other small mammals, while the dense foliage offers shelter. Juniper tolerates various growing conditions, from very hot summers to chilly winters. It thrives in sandy, loamy or clay soil and is adapted to most hardiness zones. It also tolerates drought and salt spray, making it an ideal choice for coastal landscapes.
Propagating Creeping Juniper through cuttings or layering is a budget-friendly way to enhance your garden’s landscape. It requires patience and a few key tools, but there is great satisfaction in nurturing a tiny clipping into a full-grown shrub. Plus, the upcycling aspect of propagating plants helps reduce demand for commercially grown versions, which carry a hefty carbon footprint.
