Ground Cover

[The Real BigGuy]

I need to add some ground cover on a slope that is slowly washing out from winter run off. I’ve read the other posts on similar issues but I may have a twist.

I have a large fallen leaf mess to clean up each spring. I can imagine that removing the leaves from the “blueberry grass” wouldn’t make my spring work any easier. Anyone have any ideas on a planting that might solve my problem? (And water diversion has been attempted and is not a viable option.)


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[Descant]

I have large areas of natural blueberry, planted areas of Pachysandra and planted Vinca. All are very dense, so leaves do not settle to the ground, but blow away to adjacent lawn, or wooded areas where they settle in with other duff and absorb water. I lost traction a couple of times when a landscaper raked the ground cover areas and pulled out a lot of the ground cover in the process. He's gone and it fills back in. In spring and fall, when there are a lot of leaves, I chop everything up with the mower and use it for slopes and low areas where there isn't enough good earth to plant much. When my mower picks up only grass clippings, I use these in flower and garden beds as mulch to prevent weeds and hold moisture. Do not use grass clippings that have been treated recently with any anti-weed or pest chemicals. The grass clippings as they decompose, add nitrogen to your garden soil. If you, or your landscaper, like to rake leaves, ground cover is not for you. Aim for woodscaping, or a natural forest look for that part of your yard.

[FlyingScot]

+1 on pachysandra, and we have lots of ferns as well. Both do a great job of holding the dirt, and are pretty much maintenance-free

[root1]

+2 on Pachysandra.
Its really tough stuff, looks reasonable; and if left uncontained, spreads like its nobody's business.

English Ivy is also a possibility. But, be aware that, once established, it is very invasive, aggressive and difficult to control.

[Descant]

After retiring from the garden center business, my father grew fields of pachysandra. He took cuttings of 150 (he always did 151 to not shortchange anybody) and sold them to several local garden centers and green houses. They rooted them in perlite, then transferred to flats and sold at retail. You can also enhance the spread by simply pulling plants up by the roots and replanting in a new location.

[The Real BigGuy]

Thanks! I thought about pachysandra (we have a ton of it at home) but was concerned that getting the leaves out would be an issue. I’ll discuss the idea with the boss (wife)!


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[Descant]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

Thanks! I thought about pachysandra (we have a ton of it at home) but was concerned that getting the leaves out would be an issue. I’ll discuss the idea with the boss (wife)!

Perfect! She can rip some up at home with roots several inches long, put a bunch in wet newspaper for traveling and plant it at camp. It will keep for a couple of days if the newspaper package is in a plastic bag to prevent drying out. Like any new planting, keep moist until re-established. You can also just take clumps (with plenty of roots) in plastic grocery bags and plant the clumps.

[The Real BigGuy]

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