Soleirolia soleirolii - dainty ground cover or thug?

Windsor Matthew

Loved yesterday's Gardeners World and especially Juan Carlos' tropical garden. He had Soleirolia soleirolii growing as ground cover and I've always wanted some but worry it might crowd out other plants, particularly deciduous plants that need to come back up through it, in the spring, and things like bulbs. Is that concern founded? 

josusa47

I can let you have any amount of it!  Bulbs and other perennials will get through it and it certainly won't trouble shrubs.  But it is difficult to control.  Constant hoeing is effective, but you can't hoe lawns and block paving, both of which it is happy to invade.  For my money, the best thing about Soleirolia soleirolii, aka Mind Your Own Business, is its names.

Windsor Matthew

Thanks for that. To be honest there’s nowhere it can go; it would be in concrete planters. So sounds like it should be ok.

josusa47

Don't be too sure of that, it self-seeds.

Windsor Matthew

Noted 

madpenguin

I have it and as long as you keep on top of it always looks good.
I cut mine back every year and tidy up during the summer.
Even have it growing on the edge of the lawn where no grass ever grows!
So lovely to have,just keep on top of it!!

Windsor Matthew

thanks for that! 

Windsor Matthew

Yes not a bad shout although it might struggle in the damper shady bits?

Windsor Matthew

I've decided to stick with Asarum and Ajuga, also for scale. The Soleirolia would probably have been a little too fine, especially along a lawn edge.