HORTICULTURE: Cover It Up

Before choosing a groundcover, Joe Walton asks himself a few key questions. Is the landscape sunny or shady? Are there any erosion issues? Am I trying to cover the ground or just fill a space? “There is a wide variety of groundcovers available in all shapes, sizes, textures and colors,” says the general manager of HPK Property Maintenance, East Norriton, Pa. “But finding one that fits your need shouldn’t be difficult if you evaluate your site properly.”
 
Groundcovers, like ferns, can be used for a variety of reasons – from erosion control to protecting delicate ornamentals’ roots. Contractors should know what they’re dealing with, as some groundcovers have invasive tendencies. “Some groundcovers spread through their root systems, creating more plants,” Walton says. “These tend to be more invasive and can choke out other plants.” Some groundcovers grow in clumps, meaning the plant grows larger but doesn’t take root. “These plants are great to fill in areas of a landscape where you want to contain the groundcover and provide diversity in the garden design,” Walton says.
 
The following are four ferns contractors can use to suit their groundcover needs.

1. Northeast
Name: Hayscented
Genus: Dennstaedtia punctilobula
USDA Zones: 3 to 8
Plant Type: Deciduous fern

• Grows 15 to 30 inches high
• Grows best sun to partial shade
• Plant on 24-inch centers
• Has yellow-green, fine-textured leaves
• Invasive in small gardens

2. Northwest
Name: Japanese Beech
Genus: Thelypteris decursive-pinnata
USDA Zones: 4 to 10
Plant Type: Deciduous fern

• Grows 12 to 24 inches high
• Grows best in medium sun to partial shade
• Plant on 18-inch centers
• Has light green, upright leaves
• Colonizes thickly in shaded areas

3. Southeast
Name: Marsh
Genus: Thelypteris palustris
USDA Zones: 2 to 10
Plant Type: Deciduous fern

• Grows 18 to 30 inches high
• Grows best in partial shade to full sun, depending on moisture availability
• Plant on 24-inch centers
• Has light green leaves
• Can be invasive in protected gardens

4. Southwest
Name:  Southern River
Genus: Thelypteris kunthii
USDA Zones: 8 to 10
Plant Type: Deciduous fern

• Grows 24 to 40 inches high
• Grows best in shade, can grow in full sun if kept wet. Can survive droughts of up to nine months when dormant
• Plant on 24-inch center
• Leaf color varies from light to medium green
• Is a fast grower