Gardening tips: Grown cover in South East Queensland

I once heard them called ‘yard carpets’ and I guess, technically, that’s exactly what they are. A decorative covering that acts as a protective layer to the surface underneath.

You probably know them as ‘ground covers’ – plants that only grow to around 30cm in height with adequate spreading features behaving like a living mulch.

Personally, I’m a fan. Anything that saves time in the garden mulching, watering, weeding and spraying is definitely on my go to list and they look great! The other point that makes them truly fabulous is that there’s a ground cover to suit every planting style. Natives, succulents, flowers, grasses and shade-lovers!

And while I’m singing their praises… they increase biodiversity in your garden, make it much harder for pests to take hold, stabilise slopes, regulate soil temperatures, spread by themselves, are generally low maintenance and many can be easily propagated.

Before you rush out and buy a boot full, consider the area you’re planning to cover as these little beauties can become space invaders in no time. Allow for ample room for them to spread or grow or be prepared to trim them back if necessary. Determine sun vs shade, existing planting and the overall ‘look’ you’re after. My choice for our climate…

Myoporum parvifolium (creeping boobialla) – native, fine leaf, petite white flowers, often used in large landscaping projects such as public spaces and native botanic gardens.

Viola hederacea (native violet) – loves some shade and regular water, sweet blooms all year.

Chrysocephalum apiculatum (yellow buttons) – silver/grey foliage with cute yellow ball-like blooms, thrives in a sunny well drained spot and make a lovely long-lasting cut flower.

Thymus serpyllum (creeping thyme) – a perennial Mediterranean herb known for its delicate but tough fragrant leaves and nectar rich flowers. Perfect in a rockery or as a lawn replacement as it tolerates light foot traffic with the added benefit of being edible!

Stachys byzantina (lambs’ ear) – velvety silver-grey leaves with bursts of purple-pink summer blooms loved by pollinators and happy in full sun or part shade.

Trachelospermum asiaticum (Japanese star jasmine) - an evergreen twining ground cover with clusters of deliciously fragrant star-shaped cream flowers in summer. For a pop of colour, consider the variegated jasmine varieties too.

Succulents – prefer a full sun, very well-draining position. Discover the enormous varieties of Sedum, Mesembryanthe (pig face) or Aptenia (baby sun rose) for tough, flowering, fast growing and easy-to-propagate covers.

Of course, the list of options is extensive with Grevillea Firecracker and Aussie favourite Bronze Rambler, pretty Scaevola (fan flower), the waterfall look of Dichondra and the heady fragranced Gardenia Radicans (creeping gardenia) among varieties easily found in garden centres.

Top tips – check the plant ID tag for growing width

• Give your plants room to grow

• Many ground covers are ideal in hanging baskets too

Happy gardening!