Effective ground cover plants

john.Chapling

Hiya, I have recently (hopefully) cleared ground elder from a bed by digging out all the roots I could find, although I am sure a few will re-appear. In the bed is a young cherry tree, bush roses and a photinia (red robin) so some shelter/shade.

Can anyone please suggest some good ground cover that will supress any further ground elder from appearing ??

Many thanks - John C

AnniD

Possibly persicaria, that is a good ground cover plant, but l don't know how good it's ground elder smothering properties are !

john.Chapling

Thanks AnniD, will do some investigating !!

Borderline

Bergenia and Vinca major and minor make good ground cover. In mild areas, Bergenias will more or less be evergreen.

In more shadier areas Pachysandra Terminalis will do well and help smother the ground with their evergreen leaves. Ornamental Strawberries are not fussy with sun or shade but will also do fine in shade. Fragaria x Ananassa will smother the ground and spread and flower on and off throughout the year.

Loxley

There's not much that will prevent it reappearing, but you can create cover over the top of it with dense shrubs, and try and forget about the carpet of G.E. underneath them.... The Persicaria amplexicaulis mentioned above may out-compete it though, it really does grow very densely into large clumps.

john.Chapling

Many thanks for your suggestions, much appreciated. Off to do some googling now !