![]() As long as the ground is moist where that stem segment hits, the plant will root and continue to creep. ![]() The increased stem segment also provides a greater rooting zone for the thyme allowing it to spread faster. Creeping Pink thyme, with almost an inch of stem between its sets of leaves, grows much more quickly than say a Pink Chintz Thyme or a Woolly Thyme whose leaves are very close together. Stem segments grow faster without having to produce tightly knit sets of leaves. Some thymes produce sets of leaves very close together while others are spaced further apart. Just like all plants, thyme plants spread by growing from one set of leaves to the next. Slower growing thymes are more appropriate for small spaces like those between flagstones. They will cover up stepping stones, spreading their stems onto paving searching for ground in which to root. It is also necessary to understand that all ground covers are not flat and lawn like.įaster growing thymes stuffed into a small space will disappoint with time. It is important to know the difference between a ground cover thyme that is appropriate for a two-inch space and one that is appropriate for a twenty foot space. But, different folks have different amounts of ground to cover and different expectations’ of what a ground cover is. Most folks want to use the Ground Cover Thymes to cover the ground. It is the Ground Cover Thymes that tend to confuse. There aren’t too many and their names are fairly descriptive, like Lemon Thyme and Orange Balsam Thyme. A blessing because there are so many different kinds and a curse because there are so many different kinds. It is being threatened by the fast growing Pink Lemonade Thyme which will probably take over both the Elfin Thyme and the Woolly Thyme in a year or so. If you look closely you can see a small patch of a slightly bluer thyme in between the two flowering ones. In the back, Pink Heretus Thyme is also in full bloom. The taller flowering Caraway Thyme is in the foreground to the right of the Woolly Thyme. It flows into the silvery, non-flowering Woolly Thyme near the boundary board which separates this garden from the lawn. Pink Lemonade Thyme is the bright green thyme that has the shadow of the tree on it. These five ground cover thymes of varying colors, textures and heights are growing in a pleasing mosaic. Once established, ground cover thymes also help to keep weed seeds from sprouting. Shearing the plant down to about an inch (2.5 cm.) in autumn helps keep the plant tidy during the winter months.Ground Cover Thymes are not only beautiful and soft to walk on, they are also the perfect way to keep the ground cool and conserve moisture. Although the plant is very drought tolerant, it benefits from a bit of extra moisture in full sunlight or during hot, dry weather.Īn application of any general-purpose garden fertilizer before new growth emerges in spring will keep the plant well-nourished throughout the growing season. Blue Star Creeper Plant Careīlue star creeper requires very little care. Fortunately, wayward plants are relatively easy to pull. However, the plant can become invasive in some situations, especially if it is overwatered or over-fertilized. It has a tendency to spread quickly, which can be a good thing. Blue star creeper is fuller and healthier if it gets a few hours of sunlight every day.Īdditionally, gardeners should be aware that blue star creeper is non-native to the United States. The plant stands up well in extreme weather, although it can look a little ragged and worse for wear during cold winters and hot summers. ![]() Considerations for Blue Star Creeper Lawnsīlue star creeper sounds like a perfect plant and it definitely has much to offer. If conditions are just right, blue star creeper will produce tiny blue blooms throughout spring and summer. The plant withstands heavy foot traffic and tolerates full sun, partial shade, or full shade. It is also more than happy to fill in gaps between stepping stones, under shrubbery, or over your spring-blooming bulbs.Īt a height of only 3 inches (7.5 cm.), blue star creeper lawns require no mowing. Using Blue Star Creeper as a Lawnīlue star creeper ground cover ( Isotoma fluviatilis) is a no-fuss plant that works well as a lawn substitute. If you’re thinking about making the change, consider blue star creeper as a grass alternative. Lush, green lawns are traditional, but many people are opting for lawn alternatives, which are often more sustainable, require less water, and are less time-consuming than regular turf.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |