Ground covers and vines are both functional and beautiful. These plants beautify your garden by providing cover, shade and unique visual texture. The following tips will help you get to know these plants.
 Ground covers can spread across barren patches of soil. See pictures of famous gardens. |
Tendrils: need support to grasp
Clinging: can stick to solid objects
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- Ground
covers spread across barren patches of soil, coating them with
greenery. Some ground covers offer a tapestry of both colorful flowers
and foliage. The varying colors, heights, and textures contrast with
the nearby lawn, highlighting the shape of the
ground-cover bed.
- Some ground covers also grow where no grass can thrive. In shady areas under trees, dead nettle and periwinkles are at home. On steep banks, where lawn mowing is difficult, great-looking daylilies or junipers can grow thickly enough to
stop erosion. Some also double as vines, growing vertically as easily as
horizontally. They can even blend tree trunks, walls, and fences into the scenery with a patina of greenery.
- Other vines may have flowers, colorful foliage, or fruit that make them spectacular vertical accents to train on a fence, trellis, or lamppost. Some climb freely by twining or with tendrils. Others, like climbing roses, need your
assistance to assure their secure ascendance.
In the next section, we'll give you some great ideas for including vines in your garden.
Want more gardening tips? Try:
- Gardening Tips: Learn great helpful hints for all of your gardening needs.
- Annuals: Plant these beauties in your garden.
- Perennials: Choose great plants that will return year after year.
- Gardening: Discover how to garden.
