What's fast-spreading ground cover?

Garden Railroading
1

My sedums are spreading (I’m spreading them by taking cuttings).

But I have so much ground that needs to be covered, wanted 1 or 2 other types of ground cover as well that spread rapidly.

Only 2 requirements:

  1. The area is full sun to part sun.

  2. The leaves must be smallish (smaller than creeping Jenny)

Thanks

2

My favourite ground cover is creeping thyme. I expect you know all about it, nevertheless - on my line it has really spread and looks like brambles to me. It seems to enjoy full sun or partial shade as I have one mega-clump in both situations and they are both doing well.

In the above pic. the background is thyme, with a sedum in the foreground.

For me, the best quality of thyme is the ability to keep on spreading and spreading. I have about 8 different types of thyme, some more upright, others with softer leaves and one that has developed into a mound about 20cm high and looks content to keep it’s shape.

[bow]

3

Looks great! Layout and creeping thyme; I’ll begin my search. I have, btw, 2 types of thyme that are growing nice, but vertical.

4

I have 2 thyme types in my layout, and they both grow at equal speed (FAST)…

Here is a look at a particular location in the spring of 2005.

Here is the same location August 2006.

Mark

5

CAUTION: Some variations of creeping thyme can be extreamly invasive! Especially the “falling” thymes. The falling variety are execellent for use on rocky mountains but MUST be contained, or soon it will push other plants completely out of your yard. Read the planting label very close when purchasing.

6

I can see what you mean about invasive, but I enjoy getting my fingers muddy and pruning things back when they need it. My creeping thymes are manageable, a few broad snips will soon see them off.

If you want to just plant and leave then do be careful about what variety you buy.

[bow]

7

The 2 types of Thyme on my MM&G can be easily pulled out to keep them under control. Before each operating session you just need to go around and give the ones needing to be trimmed back a tug and they break loose. What you pull can then be transplated in another area if needed. In about a month, they are thriving. Your right about them being invasive though. They are taking over several area’s that I have Cactus in. Trimming those back can be a real pain. Almost impossible not to get poked by a needle or 2,3,4,5,6, etc.

What I find interesting is the 2 types don’t seem to encroach on each others turf. If you look at the above picture, a broad leaf type is in the middle and a smaller leaf, is on each side. Neither has been able to take over the other so they just keep expanding outward into new territory. The Cactus don’t seem to have a chance.

Mark

8

Try some kudzu. It grows 6 feet a day.