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horizontal perenials

Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
in Plants

I would like some suggestions for plants that creep along the ground, creeping Jenny and horizonal cotoneaster are two that come to mind. We will probably be laying some paving around one or two edges of our pond and I plan to have a 4 or 5 inch channel in which to put some decent soil - I want to soften up the look of the pavings by planting in the channel so the plants can spread over the paving stones. Perennials and if possible evergreen plants are top of my list.  Any suggestions please? 

Posts

  • Joyce21Joyce21 Posts: 15,489

    Various thymes?

    SW Scotland
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,851

    I agree - there are various creeping thymes with different coloured flowers and leaves which would fit the bill. Also look at Prunella, ajuga and Linum 'Gemmells hybrid'. 

    Last edited: 12 January 2017 16:04:25


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 7,889

    I like Geranium Cantabrigiense Biokovo for ground cover. Nearly evergreen, very pretty flowers, will form a mat about 2' diameter but is easily trimmed smaller. Easy grower.

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,081

    It's very easy T'bird - I can't get rid of it - it clearly likes the conditions here!

    There's a prostrate rosemary which might suit your conditions GD. Some of the dianthus varieties are very low growing and might be good. Both evergreen and ideal for a sunny spot. There's lots of little saxifrages too. They're nice and straightforward, and spread if they're happy.

    I have the prostrate Gaultheria (procumbens)  which is good in semi shade, but needs moisture, so it would depend if you had a suitable spot for it. Evergreen, foliage turns reddish in autumn/winter, little white flowers followed by berries. Not jaggy like the other Gaultherias either. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,407

    Geranium Cinereum is a good creeper,  can spread quite a distance but small enough to control easily if need be -several colour varieties available, also G,sanguineum, which is a bit larger but reasonably well behaved and can be had in white, pink and magenta. My sanguineum flowered all through the summer.

    Pratia pedunculata is another possibility, often recommended for your sort of situation, but some people have found it very invasive. Mine hasn't caused me any problems so far, and it does look pretty in the summer with its tiny blue flowers, but be warned!

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,277

    I have a similar situation with a recently installed pond and I'm currently thinking about using short grasses and lawn chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)  to hide the edges along with some of the smaller graniums

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713

    Thank you for all your helpful suggestions, which I am in the process of googling to find more information on each plant..  My colour scheme of red and white seems to be expanding to include anything that is suitable for the area, but I am also planning to include some grasses Pete8 to break up the colours.  I have allergies so anything with a strong smell although I like them, don't agree with me which cuts the choice down somewhat.

  • TigrahTigrah Posts: 125

    Not sure if you can find one to suit your colour scheme perfectly, but creeping phlox may work. Nice flowers and has fragrance as a bonus, if that's something that interests you image

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