How to Grow Groundcover Plants

Planting

All our groundcover plants prefer a rich, well-drained soil, but with the exception of creeping thyme are happy in most soil types. Creeping thyme prefers a drier soil. They should not be planted in boggy or waterlogged conditions.

Plant them 6" x 6" (15 cm x 15 cm) apart - that's 36 plants per square metre for metric people (or you can divide up our chunky plug plants and grow on in small pots before planting out).

Once established, all plants will thrive in full sun (heath pearlwort and pennyroyal are also happy in partial shade).

Aftercare

Ensure weed growth is kept under control until the plants are well established and have begun to knit together.

Trim chamomile regularly to keep the foliage young and soft. If plants do become tall, reduce the height of the plants gradually, through several cuts. Will happily take moderate foot traffic.

Encourage the stems of creeping thyme to spread. Trim after flowering, from its second year onwards. Will happily take moderate foot traffic, but would not be suitable where there are active childen or pets.

In warm, wet summers, heath pearlwort will reach to about 4" (10cm) tall, and create a lovely, spongy surface to walk on. In drier summers, and during the winter, growth will be 'tighter' and more compact, about 1" (2.5 cm) tall. Heath pearlwort is drought-tolerant. It will happy take fairly heavy foot traffic except if the ground is especially wet.

Pennyroyal will take light to moderate foot traffic. It needs to be walked on to encourage spreading. It may require occasional trimming. (Pennyroyal should not be used for culinary purposes.)

Caution!

None of these plants are suitable for areas where dogs may foul as their mess will kill plants where it falls!