Many flowerbeds, flower beds, beds and gardens are decorated with ground cover flowers. Among them there are many perennials that bloom throughout the summer. More precisely, not even summer, but almost seven months a year. Such perennial ground cover flowers will be discussed in the article.

Description of ground cover perennial flowers

Most ornamental ground covers require little or no maintenance. This category of ornamental plants includes flowers, the growth of which does not exceed 20 cm, characterized by rapid development, long-stemmed plants that can take root on their own, creating a thick green carpet on the ground.

Interesting. Most often, evergreen varieties that run wild very slowly are chosen for the design of garden and backyard plots.

Many of the evergreen ground covers do not shed their foliage during the winter period, but this applies to areas with a temperate climate. In colder regions, only the periwinkle is capable of such a feat.

Planting ground cover perennial flowers on the site can earn a lot of advantages. These plants perfectly protect the fertility of the topsoil by preventing the wind or rain from blowing out or washing it away. In addition, they protect the soil from weeds, because they grow much faster than it, blocking the weeds from access to light and moisture. Another advantage of perennial carpet colors is that they perfectly decorate the site. Due to the fact that they resemble a soft fluffy carpet, the site immediately takes on a well-groomed and cozy look.

Ground cover perennial flowers. Umbilical

Ground cover plants for the garden perennials are used not only in rock gardens, front gardens and flower beds, they can be planted along the fence or border, garden paths can be beautifully decorated, the trunks of many trees can be closed, etc.

The advantages of perennial ground cover plants include moisture retention. Due to their dense flowering and fleshy stems, they prevent moisture from evaporating in direct sunlight. The wind also cannot dry the soil under them. It is worth paying attention to this property if decorative perennials grow next to a dense cushion of ground cover.

Groundcover blooming all summer

There are many perennial ground cover plants that bloom all summer long and are most commonly planted in plots by gardeners. Among them are the following types:

  • Subulate phlox - has neat, thin, dotted leaves. The flowering density is very dense. The color is different, most often pink, white and blue. And you can plant all three varieties side by side. Even after the color of the phlox has fallen, the plant looks very neat along the borders, in rock gardens or rockeries, among stones. It propagates very easily by cuttings. In just one year, from two subulate phloxes, several dozen plants can be obtained, which can easily cover one hundred square meters of land.
  • Yaskola is a perennial ground cover with silvery leaves and white color. Its height is 10-15 cm. It tolerates low air temperatures and is unpretentious to growing conditions. It reproduces well in areas illuminated by direct sunlight, with moderate watering.

    Perennial flowers. Yaskol.

Important! If, after flowering, the shoots are trimmed, you can provoke a repeated flowering of the perennial.

  • Carnation herbal is distinguished by small, rare inflorescences. The main requirement of the herb is good moisture exchange. Stagnation of moisture in the area of ​​the root system can die. Possesses good frost resistance.
  • Ducheney is an unusual ground cover perennial, similar, in external parameters, to wild strawberries. But the fruits of the ducheneu are not edible. Prefers well-lit areas, with poor, acidic soils, which provoke the appearance of inflorescences in the plant. Requires shelter for the winter.
  • Woolly Stachis - Popular for its fluffy, silvery leaves. It blooms in a small lilac color, which is often cut off to make the silver carpet look like a single color. Retains decorative effect on poor soils. Requires moderate watering, develops well in partial shade or in sunny areas. Does not require insulation for the frost season.

    Perennial flowers. Woolly stachis.

  • Creeping thyme. Dried it is used as a seasoning in cooking. In areas it can bloom several times if the previous color is cut off in time. It has a pronounced floral aroma. It develops well in direct sunlight. It is recommended to plant in loose light soil. It tolerates frost and drought perfectly.
  • Clefthoof is a shade-loving ground cover. Demanding on soil moisture. It grows up to 10 cm in height. It is used dried in folk medicine as a remedy for alcoholism.
  • Periwinkle - can grow both in the shade and in the sun, an extremely unpretentious plant. It blooms with blue flowers, the flowering is loose. It is very often used for decorating tree trunks. Loves nitrogen fertilization. Frost-resistant, drought-resistant.
  • Tenacious. The name speaks for itself. Wherever this plant is planted, it will develop and multiply everywhere. Blooms densely, silvery blue.

Note! The more shade, the higher the bloom density. When self-seeding, it loses its decorative properties. Does not require moisture and shelter for the period of cold weather.

  • Sedum is characterized not only by the varied color of flowers, but also by the different color of the leaves. Blooms in early June, ends flowering in late October. There are about 500 varieties of this plant. Most species prefer to grow in direct sunlight. Does not like high humidity, most varieties do not require shelter for the frost period.

    Perennial flowers. Sedum.

Combinations of ground cover perennials

Perennial ground cover flowers are mostly used in the background. They perfectly set off other plants planted on the site or in a flower bed. They are also used for weed control and site decoration. They look equally advantageous both in combination with other plants and in a single version.

Planting ground cover perennials for a garden in a rose garden will emphasize the variety of roses and visually soften some aggressive species.

The combination of lobelia and stachis is very common. Lobelia flowers shimmer in a variety of shades against the background of a silver carpet.

Interesting. When decorating a flower bed, you can combine a plant such as a medium-sized white iris with creeping thyme.

Caring for ground cover flowers

Most varieties of creeping perennial flowers do not need careful maintenance. Yet these flowers have some peculiarities. For example, one of them is that every five years a flowering carpet in the country should be renewed. Firstly, to preserve the decorativeness of flowers, and secondly, to cultivate the land from weeds that take place.

The second feature of perennial ground cover flowers is feeding. The main thing here is not to overdo it with fertilizers, as this immediately affects the color of the plants. Most species bloom for 6-7 months on poor soils. You can feed the plants once a year.Basically, nitrogen fertilizers are used.

Also, when decorating a site or flower bed with ground cover perennials, their rapid development should be taken into account. In one year, they can cover up to 1 m² of soil. Therefore, so that the entire area is not clogged with this type of plant, it is recommended to cut off the shoots in time.

Another feature of most ground cover is considered to be a negative attitude to high humidity. This flowering carpet should not be flooded with water, as it hardly evaporates through the planting density. If water stagnates in the root system, this can lead to the development of fungal diseases or rhizome decay processes.

So, from the description of creeping, undersized perennials, we can conclude that they are extremely unpretentious plants that require minimal maintenance. You do not need to have a diploma of completion of landscape designer courses in order to accurately and beautifully decorate a summer cottage or personal plot. It is enough to pay attention to perennial ground cover flowers, which will cover any soil defects with a lush carpet.