A lush, green lawn is every Central Florida homeowner's dream. But for those with a landscaper's eye, an unbroken expanse of grass blanketing the front and back yards can look a little boring. And if your property has areas where grass has trouble growing, those bare patches detract from the beauty of the rest of your yard.
So what to do? Groundcovers can come to the rescue! Southern Living defines a groundcover as any low-growing plant (less than an inch to up to four feet in height) that can form a dense soil cover to help control erosion and suppress the growth of weeds . As Landcrafters further explains, "Groundcover plants are typically short, quick-growing perennials that don't require all that much care or soil. Low maintenance, they're typically referred to as an herbaceous layer (or even a regenerative layer) or a step over."
Best of all, groundcovers are a budget-friendly addition to your lawn and garden areas that produce dramatic results in terms of aesthetic appeal - and even function! Fortunately, a wide variety of groundcovers are very well-suited for Central Florida's climate and growing conditions. Once you learn more, you'll be eager to get started - and get creative with the personality that groundcovers can bring to your yard!
Advantages of Using Groundcovers in Your Central Florida Landscape
Groundcovers can add interesting contrasts in texture and color to your landscape. According to University of Florida IFAS Gardening Solutions , they're attractive in beds or open areas, and can reduce the maintenance your landscape requires. "There are groundcovers for shady areas, sunny spots, and everything in-between. They're great for those hard-to-maintain places in your landscape, like small spaces that the mower can't get into or steep slopes. Some groundcovers should be used alone, while others, like perennial peanut, can be incorporated into turf and even mowed."
Groundcovers enable you to connect and merge different areas of your landscape - which is especially useful if you have a large yard. You can also use it to camouflage unsightly structures, fixtures or spaces to make your property more aesthetically pleasing. And as mentioned earlier, it's an ideal solution for problem areas where grass won't grow - such as wet, dry or shady spots.
Types of Groundcovers
Also as mentioned earlier, there are many types of groundcover plants to choose from. To keep from being overwhelmed by the vast selection, we've curated a list of the groundcovers best suited for Central Florida yards.
It is tough, colorful and drought-resistant, which makes it one of the best groundcovers for Florida. Its flowers have broad yellow petals that are clumped around a brown center. It will control your soil conditions beautifully and attract wildlife ranging from butterflies to birds. Your landscape will be buzzing with beautiful wildlife and bright flowers!
The Foxtail fern has tufts that are unbelievably soft and breathtakingly beautiful. Moreover, it can survive the harsh weather conditions of Florida. The Macho fern is another good option, as it gives the look of Jurassic Park owing to its sword-like appearance and dense growth.
If you want the look of an aesthetically pleasing landscape without going overboard with your budget and time, then this plant has got your back. It is drought tolerant and can survive the hot weather of the Sunshine State. Moreover, it can survive the random cold snaps that Florida throws at you. Also, this beautiful plant will regrow quickly in case it gets damaged.
Groundcover Care and Maintenance Tips
Even though most groundcover plants are low-maintenance, some require a little attention. For example, mondo grass should be cut back in early spring and late winter to keep it at its best. Overall, however, making sure you select the right groundcover for its intended location and purpose is essential to its ultimate success in your yard. Clicking on the link of our recommended groundcovers listed above will provide details about their optimum placement for planting and water requirements.
And here is some excellent advice from Master Gardener Glenda Taylor in her article for Bob Vila :
"Perennial beds that feature trees, shrubbery, and bushes are great spots for ground cover, but don't plant both at the same time. Quick-growing ground cover plants can absorb the nutrients that newly planted bushes and trees need to get a good head start. Wait at least six months after planting the larger items before adding the ground cover to let larger plantings develop healthy root systems."
Do you know who else provides excellent advice? Our landscaping experts at Daniel's Lawn Service & Pressure Washing ! Our full-service company provides landscape design , tree installation, tree trimming, yard maintenance, pressure washing and so much more. today so we can do the work, and you can do the enjoying! We proudly serve all of Central Florida - including Orlando, Sanford, Longwood and Lake Mary! We look forward to helping you achieve your goals and bring your vision to life!
