How To Care For Newly Planted Groundcover Plants
Fertilizing Groundcovers
For optimum performance, many groundcover plants should be fertilized twice a year; once in the early spring, and again in early fall. That being said, know the specific nutritional needs of your plants. If you are unsure as to how often or what to feed a specific type of plant consult with your local nursery and garden center professional. In general, for ornamental groundcover plants such as ivy, junipers, and jasmine, I usually recommend a well-balanced, slow-release, shrub & tree type fertilizer. On perennial groundcover plants such as creeping jenny, blue star creeper, and verbena, I prefer using a more mild, natural or organic plant food. Whatever route you go always refer to the product label for application instructions.
[Click here for Instructions on how to fertilize groundcover plantings][2]
Mulch The Groundcover Bed
Before or after planting your groundcover plants, apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of pine straw or shredded wood mulch throughout the planted area.
Watering Groundcovers
Most varieties of newly planted groundcovers, from sprigs or 4" pots, should receive at least 1 inch of water per week from rain, irrigation, or hand-watering until plants have become established. Groundcovers planted from 1 gallon or larger size containers should also receive 1 inch of water per week until rooted in. Once established, many groundcovers will need very little attention to watering, provided there is average rainfall. This being said, know the water needs of of your specific plants. When unsure, consult with your local nursery and garden center professional as to the water needs for specific types of plants.
Pruning Groundcovers
When the right groundcovers are used to fill the right amount of space they are typically very low maintenance, and very little if any pruning will be required. At planting time, groundcovers that are root bound, or have long, leggy runners, should be clipped back by 25 to 50 percent of their size to sponsor denser branching. If the foliage of a groundcover grows out of bounds or over lawn areas or other surfaces you can clip back most varieties at any time of year.
If you are apprehensive about pruning consult with your local nursery and garden center professional.
