Let’s start with a pop quiz: Which of the following is a “ground cover”?

1. Pachysandra
2. Rhododendron shrubs
3. White Pines
4. All of the above

If you chose “4. All of the above”, you would be right. Although we usually think of ground covers as being close to the soil (Pachysandra and Liriope, for example), anything that covers or shades the ground serves the same function: the prevention of weed germination by keeping sunlight from reaching the soil. Essentially, any plant that shades the ground–no matter its height–is a ground cover. This idea is especially evident in a dense forest where the tight tree canopy prevents sunlight from penetrating, thus limiting the growth of understory plants and weeds.

Understanding this concept enables a greater selection of garden plants than you might have thought possible. Although it will take a while for shrubs or trees to grow large or close enough to cover the ground beneath them, given time they will eventually shade the soil below. When this happens, you won’t have to weed as often and you will benefit visually from the interest of varying plant species, heights, and textures.

For help planning and planting a garden with layered ground covers (see client garden below), give us a call (717-653-1273)! We’d love to help add garden interest to your garden while reducing weed removal over time.

Contributed by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& beneficiary of a multistoried ground cover garden)