Common thyme ground cover free#

These delicious fruits attract wildlife from far with their intense red color, wildlife that may potentially wreck the other plants you’re trying to protect. Ground covers by nature are not designed to be the star of the show, which is not the case when it comes to strawberries. They also have another advantage over regular strawberries – smaller fruits. Alpine strawberries don’t have runners, making them ideal plants that won’t interfere. In any garden bed, they have the potential to take over if not kept under control. Why grow alpine strawberries as ground cover instead of regular garden strawberries? Regular strawberries propagate from runners that spread along the ground and root new plants. They are also considered a popular runner plant because of how quickly they grow. They still form part of the same genus Fragaria, but produce smaller, sweet fruits that are certainly no less tasty. Alpine strawberries, also known as Woodland strawberries, are slightly different. We’re all familiar with strawberries – the cute red fruits we find in the produce aisle. Alpine Strawberries Alpine Strawberries are wild strawberries that are both groundcover and edible. The options, both in the garden and in the kitchen, really are endless. Alternatively, the stalks can be hung up and dried to make teas or flavorings. The leaves add a wonderful herbaceous flavor when used fresh. This plant draws bees in and keeps deer out, useful characteristics in any garden. In fact, the pleasant smell released when it is walked over makes creeping thyme an ideal lawn replacement or filler in pathways. It can handle some pressure from feet, whether that be from gardeners or animals, without taking damage. The best feature of this compact plant is its resilience. Varieties sport small flowers, creating a carpet of purple across the garden when they are in bloom. This stunning thyme variety is low-growing, spreading across beds in dense clumps to completely cover the soil. Creeping Thyme Creeping Thyme is a purple flower that’s both beautiful and edible.Īnother easy ground cover requiring minimal care is creeping thyme.

They thrive on minimal attention and grow well in a range of conditions – an ideal low to ground plant for new gardeners. On top of all these benefits, they are also incredibly easy to care for.

Common thyme ground cover free#

Nasturtiums are one of the most successful trap crops, keeping your prized plant free of prying pests. Why on earth would you want to attract aphids, you may ask? This draws them away from the other plants in your garden, particularly leafy greens, or other plants that are well known to be decimated by an aphid infestation. Nasturtiums play a particularly important role in vegetable gardens – attracting aphids. Keep an eye on the vines to ensure they do not suffocate any surrounding plants.

This quick growth rate does come with a caveat – they tend to take over if given the opportunity. Instead of mulching your beds straight after planting, pop in a few nasturtium plants and they will surround your plants in no time.

The long vines spread across beds quickly, creating lush cover at a remarkable speed. In the kitchen, both the flowers and the leaves are used in a range of dishes, with a flavor reminiscent of mustard. But, these plants can also be appreciated for their peppery taste. Nasturtiums are often grown for their large colorful flowers and lily pad-like leaves.

Nasturtiums Orange and yellow Nasturtiums are excellent edible groundcover.