-Questions Commonly Asked by Retail Customers- A Nursery Help Series from South Bay GARDENS
Here at South Bay Gardens, we're dedicated to helping you create the best home garden or landscape that you can imagine. That's why our experienced and very knowledgeable staff members are always on hand to promptly answer any garden-related questions you might have. In this series, we'll provide answers to the most common questions that come up at our nursery. Current Help Topic Entry:
Nursery Help Topic #3: Ground Cover (part 1)
Ground covers come in various sizes, typically as flats
containing roughly 40 plants per flat. 4 inch pots and 1 gallon pots are also
available.
Festuca glauca (Common Blue Fescue)
This grass grows up to 1 ft. high and 10 in. wide, with
dense, thin blue-gray to silvery white leaves. Festuca is a hardy variety, capable
of withstanding dry conditions and severe frosts. The ideal location for
Festuca is an area that receives plenty of sun (although some shade is okay),
and regular amounts of water with good drainage.
Dymondia
Drought tolerant, hardy ground cover that spreads slowly and
grows up to 2-3 in. high. Narrow, grayish green and white leaves form a dense
mat with small yellow daisies flowering within. Typically placed around
pathways and stepping stones, and used with accent plants in flower beds.
Fragaria (ornamental strawberry)
Decorative variety of strawberry that forms a mat 4-8 in.
high, with dark green leaves and small, white flowers in spring. Occasionally produces
small quantities of ¾ in. bright red, seedy berries. Grow in well drained soil and
mow or cut in early spring to control growth.
Rosemary Prostratus
This variety of Rosemary grows up to 2 ft. tall with a 4-8
ft. spread. If planted in a raised bed it will trail down the side creating a
curtain of foliage. Rosemary Prostratus produces lavender-blue flowers throughout
fall and spring.
Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in Summer)
Snow in Summer forms dense mats of silvery gray foliage and will
grow up to 6-8 in. in height. Although the lifespan of this variety is
relatively shorter than others, it has a creeping spreading habit that allows
it to be spaced apart when planting. Produces many small white flowers in early
summer, and can grow rapidly depending on the region.
Thyme (elfin thyme, wooly thyme, creeping thyme)
All
Thyme varieties have aromatic, tiny leaves and masses of small flowers that are
attractive to bees. Elfin Thyme is the smallest size, growing only 2 in. high
and about 5 in. wide. Wooly Thyme is slightly larger, growing 2-3 in. and 3 ft.
wide as a dense mat of leafy stems. Creeping Thyme produces thick, dark green
foliage and pink flowers, and will grow to around 2 inches or more. Thyme is
typically used as filler between stepping stones and around pathways.
Previous Help Topic Entries:
Nursery Help Topic #2: Trees
Nursery Help Topic #1: Hedges For Privacy
Additional Topics:
Mulches - How to Save Water
Phormiums / New Zealand Flaxes
Nursery Secrets (How to Save Money): Transplanting
Nursery Secrets (How to Save Money): Dividing Plants
Drought Hardy Plants - Easy Maintenance
Are
you interested in saving water without sacrificing your beautiful
garden? Then consider incorporating some drought hardy plants into your
yard! These resilient and attractive varieties require much less water
and maintenance than typical garden plants, and there are many
different kinds to choose from when creating the perfect look for your
home environment. In this set of videos, Alex talks about colorful
bougainvillea, edible rosemary, fragrant sage, and many more!
For more information about these Nursery Help Topics, please visit our livejournal page!
