Ground Covers That Are Easy to Grow

Silver Maple Tree

The Silver Maple tree is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree native to North America. It is known for its distinctive silver underside of leaves and its adaptability to various soil and moisture conditions. They offer many landscaping advantages, adding aesthetic and functional value to outdoor spaces. These trees are renowned for their impressive size, distinctive foliage, and ecological contributions, making them a popular choice for various landscape designs. The silver maple tree is native to North America. In the wild, it can often be found along rivers and creeks. Arborists and horticulturists know it as the Acer Saccharinum. Its names include water, swamp, Silverleaf, white, and soft maple. It's beloved for its large canopies and foliage. Identifying the Silver Maple Tree (Acer saccharinum) Acer Saccharinum is considered large. It can grow up to 70 feet with a width of 50 feet. Gardeners and landscapers can expect it to grow between three and seven feet per year. The bark is gray and smooth. As it ages, the bark develops lines or stripes. Its leaves grow to lengths of between three and six inches. They are green in the spring and summer, change colors in the fall, and fall to the ground in the winter. Where To Plant Silver Maple Tree  Due to its mature height and spread, the Acer Saccharinum looks best in a large yard. Planting it next to rivers, lakes, or streams is often most beneficial. It also does well in shade gardens, the primary shade-providing plant. Due to its large size, the Acer Saccharinum attracts a variety of wildlife. Birds can often be found around it, including finches, wild turkeys, wood ducks and grosbeaks, squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, beavers, and deer.  What to Plant Next to Silver Maple Tree Acer Saccharinum has a wide canopy and a large spread of roots that grow close to the soil's surface, so it's best to plant greenery and shade-tolerant flowers. Some great plants to grow next to the Acer Saccharinum include Pennsylvania sedge, hepatica, columbine, and Canada violets. If you're a gardener looking to plant at the edges of the canopy, Solomon's seal, columbine, ostrich ferns, and lady ferns make great choices. Silver Maples Are Fast-Growing Trees Silver Maple Trees can add a focal point to large yards and shade gardens. Landscapers and gardeners love them because they grow well around water and provide a lot of shade with their large canopy. What is the difference between a silver maple and a red maple?  The silver maple (Acer saccharinum) has large, basically pentagonal leaves with a silvery irradiation and rather deeply subdivided; the red maple (Acer rubrum) has most rounded leaves that turn bright red in autumn. Further, the growth rate of silver maple is relatively high, and its spread is wider than that of red maple. How Fast Does A Silver Maple Tree Grow  They grow very fast, with 3 to 5 feet growing every year if conditions are favorable. This fast growth makes them good for any large area where one needs a shade faster, like large projects and more.  What is the lifespan of a silver maple?  The silver maple's life ranges between three decades and half a century but can extend to 70 years at times. Because of vigorous growth, silver maples contain a shorter lifespan than other tree species with a gradual growth rate.  Facts About Silver Maple Trees  It is a very tolerant tree, which prefers soil with different pH levels and it can be planted in the middle of cities. Thereby, their striking silvery leaves, besides providing aesthetic value, allow the tree to lose little water and, therefore, thrive in arid environments. Silver maples shed massive amounts of what is known as "helicopter" seeds that spin as they hit the ground.  What are the characteristics of a silver maple tree?  Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) are fast growing deciduous trees with leaves having deep lobes and silver on the back. It can grow up to be between 15-27 meters tall; it has a wide, dome-shaped crown that gives adequate shade. Silver maples are usually chosen due to their toughness and the speed with which the trees are grown.

Partridge Berry

Partridge Berry is a low-growing, trailing evergreen plant with glossy leaves and small, white to pinkish tubular flowers, followed by bright red berries commonly found in woodland settings. It is a charming and low-growing ground cover that offers several benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. If you're looking for a perennial that will add delicate beauty to your garden all year long, look no further than the Partridge berry plant. If you've ever walked through a forest in the eastern U.S., you have probably encountered this delicate woodland creeper. This flowering vine has beautiful red berries, bright green leaves, and star-shaped, white flowers. It blossoms in the late spring. As a creeper with long tendrils, it's notable because it doesn't use its tendrils to climb; instead, it creeps along the forest floor. It is native to many forests in eastern North America and has been seen as far north as Canada and south as Florida. Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens) Has Dark Green Evergreen Leaves This evergreen features small, compact stems under its flowers. Its dark green leaves don't change color or fall on the ground like other plants, so there's no messy cleanup. If you want to attract bees, birds, and other friendly visitors to your garden, you can do it with this attractive, easy-to-grow vine. Partridge Berry Makes A Great Ground-Cover Despite its delicate appearance, this flowering vine is hardy enough to create groundcover that stays attractive in any season. Its glossy green leaves stand out in the fall against the falling brown leaves. Enjoy the beauty and fragrance of its bright white flowers in spring and summer. The bright red berries will remind you of holly and other winter delights. Partridge Berry Grows And Spreads Quickly Partridge Berry Is also versatile. Although it grows thick on the ground, you can use it in borders, walkways, paths, or anywhere you want an attractive, hardy cover. It's ideal in rock gardens or other hardscape settings. Once set up in the soil, it spreads out thickly, rooting itself deeply into the soil and creating a thick layer of leaves. In short, this common vine will bring uncommon beauty and enjoyment to any garden. Partridge Bery Is An Evergreen Groundcover  Where should partridge berry be grown? Partridge berry plants are best sown in shade or part shade with moist, drainage soil with plenty of organic matter. It also works well as a ground cover in shade and naturalised gardens.  Is partridge berry easy to grow Partridge berry is quite simple to grow and requires little care once it's in the ground. It tolerates drought, spreads very slowly, and makes a lush, evergreen carpet, which is great for the shade.  What makes partridge berry a useful garden plant?  Partridge berries stay green through the winter, and they turn red. This keeps the partridge ornamental all year long, and can be used in rock gardens, forests and shaded borders.  Can partridge berries be grown in pots To be sure, partridge berries can be planted in pots if you're using well-drained, rich soil and in a partial shade location. This is a great plant for small gardens or those living on patios or balconies.  What are some companion plants for partridge berries Here are some plants that are excellent with partridge berry plants: ferns, hostas, trillium, and mosses work best with partridge berry plants, as they need a dark, wet place.

English Ivy

English Ivy is a low-growing ground cover plant; it has glossy, heart-shaped leaves and produces small, inconspicuous brownish-purple flowers nestled among its dense, carpet-like foliage. It is a fantastic and versatile plant with several landscaping benefits. This evergreen vine is native to Europe and Western Asia and is widely embraced for its aesthetic appeal, adaptability, and practical applications. English Ivy is a woody evergreen perennial vine and foliage plant proliferating on vertical surfaces like trees, walls, fences, and trellises. The ancient Greeks believed the plant was sacred to the god Dionysus, and pagan druids revered it as a symbol of the divine feminine. In classical Latin, “hedera” refers to the ability to grasp, which is in keeping with the vine’s nature. English Ivy (Hedera helix) Loves Shade Native to Europe, Scandinavia, and parts of Russia, the Hedera helix is nearly ubiquitous in Britain and is naturalized and prolific in many regions of the United States. In the wild, the plant grows under, on trees, and up the sides of rocky cliffs, favoring moist, shady areas out of the sun. English Ivy Is A Natural Air Purifier  Mature Hedera helix vines typically grow up to 80 feet tall and span a three- to five-foot width. Their climbing stems bear young, five-lobed leaves, while their fertile stems bear adult, spade-shaped leaves. These deep-green leaves can vary in size between two and four inches long. The top of the plant will often develop clusters of small, greenish-yellow flowers that bloom from late summer until late autumn. These nectar-rich blossoms will eventually yield a crop of small purple-black to orange-yellow berries that persist into winter. English Ivy Kills Weeds Its bright green foliage can add all-season color to any landscape and beautify forlorn spaces. Its vines can be trained to climb many stable vertical surfaces or grown as a ground cover to suppress weeds. Since Hedera helix proliferates, it can make a good screen on a fence or trellis. When carefully grown on exterior building walls, it can protect their surfaces from exposure to bad weather and help regulate the temperature. Within the United States, Hedera helix can provide food and habitat for wildlife. Butterflies and moths eat their leaves, bees feed on their flowers’ nectar, and birds eat their berries in winter. The foliage often shelters insects and small animals and sometimes attracts nearby deer. English Ivy Is An Evergreen Hedera helix is a beautiful evergreen vine with a rich history. When you plant it in your garden, you can enjoy its charming English ivy character all year. What is the best fertilizer for English ivy? English ivy is best fertilized by a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, which should be used every four to six weeks when growth is most active during early spring and summer. The standard vegetation growth formula that can be used is the 20-20-20 formula as a means of encouraging the growth of foliage.  Is the English ivy easy to maintain English ivy is an easy-growing plant that can be grown under different environmental conditions. It has to grow groomed and Pruning can help in its regulation besides making it look neat. It's also very hardy and will survive short periods of neglect.  Can I grow an English ivy plant indoors?  If placed in bright, indirect light, English ivy is an ideal indoor plant. Give the plant good drainage when planting, and occasionally spray the leaves with a mist to promote humidity.  Companion plants for the English ivy Suitable companions of English ivy are the ferns, hostas, and begonias, blending well in shaded gardens. These plants have similar growth requirements, and their growth characteristic, such as trailing nature, complement ivy.  Where to grow English ivy  English ivy thrives in partial to fully shaded areas with moist, well-drained soil. It's very adaptable and can grow as a low-growing trailing plant, a climbing vine, or in pots. However, it is also important not to plant it in a position where it may spread and become invasive.

Ajuga Reptans - Bugleweed

Ajuga Reptans Bugleweed is an easy-care, fast-growing groundcover with attractive foliage and flowers. Ideally used to fill in sunny or shaded areas, this winter-bound perennial adds beauty to gardens and landscapes with little to no work.  Planting and Maintenance Ajuga Reptans Bugleweed  This is an easy plant to cultivate and is suitable for gardeners of all skill levels. All you need to do is loosen the soil, plant the roots, and water it all down. The thorny plant tolerates various soils, from sun to partial shade. Once its growth is established, it is relatively easy to maintain, with only a few sprinkles of water when the soil is dry and minimal weeding since dense growth prevents weeds from growing.  Seasonal Blooms and Color Changes    Ajuga Reptans Bugleweed has tubular, blue- or purple-colored flowers that bloom prolifically in late spring and early summer. They attract bees and butterflies and enhance your garden's biodiversity. The plant’s leaves are just as appealing, a mix of green, bronze, or burgundy colors that offer a visual contrast all year round. The leaves become darker on a more fabulous day, making for winter decoration. Shape and Longevity It forms a thick, mat-like ground cover, sometimes 12 inches wide and just a few inches tall. Small in size and lovely appearance This groundcover perennial is ideal for edging, rock gardens, or slope erosion control. As a perennial, it returns yearly to add longevity and strength to any garden. Why Buy Ajuga Reptans at TN Nursery  Ajuga Reptans Bugleweed is sold as a healthy, plant-ready bare-root plant. These plants are designed for healthy growth and easy propagation, so they will thrive in your garden for many years. Be inspired by the beauty of Ajuga Reptans Bugleweed today! Commonly Asked Questions Are Ajuga Plants Aggressive? No, they are not and will not spread or become invasive. They also stay lush and dark-colored even in the winter season, making them a favorite of gardeners. Can Ajuga Plants Handle Full Sun or Shade? They can withstand some filtered sun but thrive in areas of shade. Does Ajuga Die Back in The Winter? No, the burgundy colors mixed with green foliage stay lush and evergreen year-round.