Hard to Grow Areas?

by Bailey Sons – July 18, 2022

Do you have those hard-to-grow areas? Those areas that get too much sun or too little sun, and you can't seem to get anything to grow there?

Often people may have a bank or hillside that all the water drains off of, which doesn't allow the ground to stay very moist, so it is hard to get anything to grow.

If this sounds like you, then don't worry. There are plants and groundcover options out there for you to choose from, which will allow you to have that bank or hillside covered with lovely, lush plants in no time.

Juniper, holly, wavy petunias, and purple thrift are just a few of the excellent groundcover plants that look great growing on a hillside and are fast growers, which means that it doesn't take long for them to take over a place in no time. All these groundcover plants spread rapidly and have a low, shallow root system so that they spread rapidly across the ground and can take over a hillside in a matter of weeks to a few short months.

All of these plants are also great for soil erosion and often can be seen growing in natural parks and along the side of the road because they spread fast and their roots are shallow, preventing the soil from eroding where they are planted.

So the next time you think your hillside or bank is bare and there is no hope, guess again because there is hope with all of the groundcover plants available to you.

Source to buy a variety of Ground covers at Wholesale Prices

TN Nurseries best selling groundcovers

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Periwinkle Plant

Periwinkle is a perennial vine and a low-growing, evergreen ground cover plant with glossy green leaves and small, violet-blue flowers. It is often used to fill in garden spaces and control erosion. Incorporating it into landscaping offers many benefits that add beauty and functionality to outdoor spaces. This versatile ground cover brings lushness, adaptability, erosion control, low-maintenance care, and soft elegance to garden settings. Periwinkle - Vinca minor is famous for its blue flowers, and this flower is an excellent groundcover. Unlike some groundcovers, it proliferates without becoming invasive. Because of this, many home gardeners and landscape designers like to add this cheery flower to their landscape. Periwinkle Plant (Vinca Minor) Has Many Names It initially originated in central and southern Europe. Classified as a part of the dogbane family, this flower quickly spread to the Baltic States, the Netherlands, and the Caucasus. Today, it is grown around the world as a groundcover. Sometimes, people may refer to this groundcover by other common names, like creeping myrtle or myrtle. Periwinkle Plant Helps With Soil Erosion Periwinkle Plant is truly a gardener’s delight. Its strong roots help to control soil erosion, and its trailing vines are full of glossy leaves. Because deer don’t usually like it, you don’t have to worry about it disappearing. Plus, it can handle some foot traffic, so it doesn’t get trampled easily. Because it is considered an evergreen, it will keep its glossy, green leaves in the winter. After you plant it, the vines will gradually spread over neighboring areas. While it mainly grows along the ground, this vine can sometimes get up to 16 inches tall. Unlike other vines, it never climbs or twines around trees or walls. Instead, you can enjoy having it as a permanent ground cover in your garden. The Periwinkle Plant Flowers Are Sure to Impress The most notable part of this vine is its flowers. They are typically created between early spring and the middle of summer. Sometimes, you will still notice a few flowers in autumn. All of the flowers have a violet-purple shade and a five-lobed corolla. On some species, you can even find white and pale purple flowers. Periwinkle Is A Drought Tolerant Groundcover With Periwinkle Plant, you will have an evergreen mat in your garden beds throughout the year. The flowers remain for many of spring and summer so that you can appreciate bright blue pops. Thanks to its rapid growth, you don’t have to wait long to see this lovely vine fill empty areas in your yard. Why is the Periwinkle Plant so garden-friendly They are prized for their beautiful flowers that are available year round and are pink, purple, white or blue. Not only are they maintenance free but they can tolerate most soils and climates. Can periwinkles grow in shaded areas? Yes, periwinkles do well in shaded and partially shaded conditions. That is why they are well suited for filling in under trees or any other location where other plants can barely grow. How do I care for my Periwinkle Plant Periwinkles require a little care. Water them occasionally, and the soil should be drained well. They are very hardy and, as such, ideal for growers with little experience as well as for the experienced ones. Are periwinkles good for ground cover? Periwinkle grows and spreads rapidly to form a dense green blanket on the ground, which makes it excellent for controlling soil erosion and smothering weeds in gardens. Does Periwinkle Plant bloom all year round In warm climates, periwinkles can flower almost all year round, offering constant beauty. They are a rewarding and reliable option for your landscape.

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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.

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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.

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Tall Phlox

Tall Phlox is a perennial plant valued for its upright growth habit, showy clusters of fragrant, colorful flowers, and attractiveness to pollinators. It is a popular choice in gardens and borders and is often used in landscaping for its numerous benefits. Here are some advantages of incorporating them into your landscape design. Known for its vibrant colors, this flower is a popular addition to many home gardens. Native to North America, this stunning plant can grow in many different environments. Your garden can liven up flower beds and walkway borders during the warmer months of the year. Enjoy Tall Phlox (Phlox paniculata) in Your Flower Beds As a perennial, this stunning plant will return year after year. Known as a favorite among beginning gardeners, this flower can be used in many parts of your garden. You can find this flower in landscapes and along slopes. It is often tucked into garden beds. While it is famous as a landscape plant, many people also grow it for its potential as a cut flower. Discover Green Leaves and Fragrant Flowers With Tall Phlox Because of its growth habits, you never struggle to see them. This upright flower typically grows about 3 feet in height. If you need a shorter option for your gardening beds, some cultivars grow only 2 feet tall. Beloved by pollinators, it is a common addition to butterfly and hummingbird gardens. Once the flowers start blooming, you can enjoy having them throughout the summer. Tall Phlox Come In A Rainbow of Colors You don’t have to limit yourself to just one when picking a color. Depending on the cultivar, you can find Tall Phlox in just about any shade you can think of. While it is trendy in shades of blue and purple, it can also be found in pink, orange, and white hues. Besides its stunning flowers, Tall Phlox is also recognizable because of its dark green foliage. When the fragrant florets arrive, they form flower heads that are about 5 to 6 inches in size. If you are short on space, these flowers can grow well in planters. Whether you want to include them in your flower beds or a container garden, there are many ways to incorporate this stunningly beautiful flower into your garden. What are the best conditions for growing Tall Phlox Phlox can grow best in locations where it receives full sunlight and shade as well. It prefers soils that are well-drained and have organic matter. By consistently providing the plant with ample moisture during the dry season, it will develop lush blooms and have healthy growth. When does Tall Phlox bloom Tall phlox blooms from around mid-summer to early fall; it provides a burst of color when many other perennial plants are done flowering. The flowers are long-lasting and thus suitable to decorate any landscape in the garden. How can I keep Tall Phlox healthy and vigorous Deadheading needs to be done on a regular basis to ensure that the plant keeps blooming, and also help prevent self-seeding. Provide adequate water and good airflow to help prevent powdery mildew. Can tall phlox attract pollinators? Tall phlox attracts bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. The plants have sweet-scented flowers that not only complement the beauty of your garden but also support local ecosystems. Is Tall Phlox suitable for cut flower arrangements Tall phlox's tall stems with bright colors make it ideal for cut flower arrangements. They can be plast for days in a vase and bring qualities of elegance and charm indoors.

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Evening Primrose

Evening Primrose is recognized for their tall stems adorned with bright yellow, four-petaled flowers that typically bloom in the afternoon, contrasted by lance-shaped, green leaves. It is a delightful and beneficial plant with numerous advantages when landscaping. This herbaceous perennial is native to North and South America and has become famous for gardeners due to its striking blooms, versatility, and ecological contributions. Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a lovely and prolific North American flower that greatly benefits pollinators in gardens and the wild. Natural Habitat Of Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Native to North America, Oenothera biennis is naturalized across the United States. This biennial wildflower grows along forest edges and clearings and can also be found in prairies, marshes, pastures, old mines, railroads, roadsides, and other open, disturbed areas. It is one of the few native plants that bloom into late fall. Oenothera biennis features clusters of four-petaled, bowl-shaped, two-inch-wide yellow blooms that blossom at the top of the stems. The heart-shaped petals surround eight yellow stamens and a cross-shaped stigma. The plant grows three to five feet tall. Its stiff, purple central stalk is covered in oblong olive-, light-, or medium-green leaves that also form a rosette at the plant's base. Evening Primrose Has A Wonderful Aroma Oenothera biennis is a late-season biennial primrose that produces abundant fragrant, lemon-scented blooms from July through October. Its blossoms open in the afternoon, after the sun sets, and close up again in the morning after sunrise. In the garden, this plant will fit right into a cottage or wildflower garden and add color and texture to borders and flower beds. It can also add beauty to meadows and naturalized areas. This quick-growing flower is best planted in late fall. It will bloom in its second year and self-seed unless it's pruned back at the end of its blooming cycle. Attract Night Pollinators With Evening Primrose Suppose you want to attract pollinators to your garden, plant Oenothera biennis. Night-flying moths are the plant's chief pollinators, and when the flowers stay open on cloudy mornings, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are likely to stop by. Birds will feast on the seeds, and small mammals will nibble on its roots and leaves. Add Rustic Color With Evening Primrose If you're looking for an easy way to add rustic color to your landscape and attract more bees, birds, and butterflies, be sure to plant Evening Primrose in your garden. These bright, fragrant plants will bring you joy during the late summer months. Where does evening primrose grow best? The recommended environmental conditions are rich, well-drained, sandy or loamy soil, full-sun to part-shade location. What Is An Interesting Fact About Evening Primrose These flowering plants produce bright yellow flowers that open at night when moths pollinate them. Does evening primrose multiply? Yes, evening primrose reproduces well through propagation from seeds through self-sowing. Once it has seeded itself, it can self-propagate quite easily, so you get these great colored patches of flowers year after year. How long does it take for evening primrose to germinate? Seeds of this plant take between 10-30 days to germinate when the appropriate environmental conditions are provided. What Happens To Primrose After Flowering Seed pods appear after flowering and can be collected or allowed to shed on the ground to self-sow. Most of the plants tend to wither away, but they drop seeds, which sprout out when the next season comes in.

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