Far-reaching groundcovers

Story by Helen Young

Groundcovers are indispensable in the garden. Whether you have a sloping bank to clothe, or a shady area under trees that needs filling, these far-reaching plants have it covered.

Groundcovers will do the same job as mulch, keeping soil temperatures more even and helping to reduce evaporation from bare soil, which benefits the rich array of soil organisms. And, of course, like mulch, they’ll help to suppress weeds. Best of all, they enhance the life of your garden – having another layer of plants increases habitat for small critters, while flowering groundcovers will help attract birds, bees and other beneficial insects, as well as looking pretty.

As always, choose species that are suited to your climate, soil and position, particularly in terms of sun and shade.

**Prostrate rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus – prostrate forms**)

This is the one to choose if you want to have your groundcover and eat it too! Like all rosemary, these revel in hot, dry spots, coastal conditions and frost, but they need excellent drainage. The blue flowers from March to July attract bees and other beneficials. ‘Blue Lagoon’ is a semi-prostrate variety.

Suits all climates except the tropics
Prefers full sun
For embankments or draping over stone walls

**Grevillea (Grevillea ‘Poorinda Royal Mantle’)**

Forming a carpet of attractive foliage with coppery new growth and crimson toothbrush-like flowers, this winning hybrid has proven its performance for decades. While most of its flowers are borne during winter and spring, it is rarely without. Other varieties to try as groundcovers are G. x gaudichaudii, ‘Carpet Layer’ and ‘Bronze Rambler’.

Suits most climates except the tropics; frost tolerant
Prefers full sun to semi-shade
Forms a dense, flat sheet over several metres

**Goodenia (Goodenia ovata ‘Gold Cover’)**

The trailing stems of this adaptable south-eastern Australian native form low mounds, but it’s the masses of golden yellow flowers that make it so appealing. Set against bright green thick leaves, the flowers are borne from spring to summer. It’s frost resistant, fast growing and reliable.