Ground cover plants are a great way to add texture and color to your garden or landscape. However, if left unattended, they can quickly become overgrown and unsightly.
That’s why it’s important to know how to properly trim ground cover plants. In this article, we’ll explore the different methods of pruning and edging ground cover plants, as well as when and how often to do it.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these tips will help you keep your ground cover looking healthy and beautiful all year round.
So grab your pruning shears and let’s get started!
How To Trim Ground Cover Plants
There are several methods for trimming ground cover plants, depending on the type of plant and its growth habits. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Edging: Many ground covers have a tendency to spread beyond their allotted area. To control this, you can trim the edges of the planting with pruning shears or a rotary mower. If the growth is significantly out of bounds, you may need to dig out the portions that have gone too far. Installing a permanent barrier of wood, brick, stone, or concrete can also help prevent overgrowth.
2. Pruning: Some shrubby ground covers may send out upright stems that spoil the evenness of the planting. When you see such stems, cut them back to their point of origin or to a horizontally growing lateral within the foliage mass. Woody ground covers may need frequent pruning if they are planted too close to paths. It’s often better to replace them with more suitable plants rather than constantly cutting them back.
3. Mowing: Ground covers that root as they spread or form dense patches may become so thick and matted that only mowing will restore their good looks. Mow these ground covers just before the start of the growing season, using a heavy-duty power mower set at 3 to 4 inches. Then fertilize to encourage rapid new growth.
4. Clip ground cover with hedge clippers when there’s only a small bit of growth which can easily be handled in this way. Ground cover tends to be hardy and will spring back to life quickly, so don’t be afraid to trim it all the way down to an inch or so above ground.
5. Sharpen the blades before using the mower to prune ground cover when they are not already sharp. Dull blades will cause the lawnmower to pull the ground cover out of the dirt by the roots, killing it.
6. Some ground covers can cope with pruning every 5 to 8 years, but they look a lot better if pruned every 2 to 4 years.
Why Trim Ground Cover Plants?
Trimming ground cover plants is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to control their growth and prevent them from spreading beyond their allotted area. This is especially important if the ground cover is invasive or has a tendency to choke out other plant life. By trimming the edges of the planting with pruning shears or a rotary mower, you can prevent overgrowth and keep the ground cover looking neat and tidy.
Secondly, pruning ground cover plants can help to improve their overall health and appearance. When left untended, ground cover can become overgrown and unsightly. Pruning helps to remove dead or diseased growth, as well as any stems that spoil the evenness of the planting. This not only improves the appearance of the ground cover, but also makes for a healthier garden or landscape.
Finally, mowing ground cover plants can help to restore their good looks and encourage rapid new growth. This is especially true for ground covers that root as they spread or form dense patches. Mowing just before the start of the growing season can help to remove any dead or damaged growth, as well as stimulate new growth.
Tools Needed For Trimming Ground Cover Plants
To properly trim ground cover plants, you will need the following tools:
1. Pruning shears: These are essential for trimming the edges of the planting and pruning shrubby ground covers. Look for high-quality, well-made cutting tools that are sharp and rust-free to ensure clean cuts for quick healing.
2. Hedge clippers: These are ideal for clipping ground cover with small bits of growth. They have long sharp blades and long handles, making them suited to cutting large areas of twiggy foliage.
3. Rotary mower: If your ground cover has become thick and matted, mowing may be necessary to restore its good looks. Use a heavy-duty power mower set at 3 to 4 inches just before the start of the growing season.
4. Blade sharpener: Before using the mower to prune ground cover, make sure to sharpen the blades. Dull blades can cause the lawnmower to pull the ground cover out of the dirt by the roots, killing it.
By having these tools on hand and using them properly, you can keep your ground cover plants looking healthy and beautiful year-round.
Different Methods Of Pruning Ground Cover Plants
When it comes to pruning ground cover plants, there are several methods you can use depending on the type of plant and its growth habits. Here are some different methods of pruning ground cover plants:
1. Ball shaping: Fine leaf Lomandra longifolia types, such as ‘Tanika’ and ‘Katrinus Deluxe’, can look spectacular when pruned into ball shapes.
2. Cutting to the ground: Liriope can always be cut to the ground, preferably in winter.
3. Short cutting: Poa can be cut back very short in late winter, early spring, and autumn, but never in summer.
4. Hard cutting: Pennisetum is best cut back in late winter, early spring, and can be cut back hard.
5. Two-step pruning: In a garden situation, it may be more desirable to cut Dianella and Lomandra close to the ground. Usually, plants will survive that, but occasionally some drop out. To avoid dead plants, you can prune in a two-step process. Cut all but about 10% of the leaves back just above the ground, leaving a few on one side longer. In a few weeks after the rest of the plant has started to reshoot, come back and trim the last few leaves off to the ground.
6. Frequency of pruning: Many strap-leaf plants can cope with pruning every 5 to 8 years, but they look a lot better if pruned every 2 to 4 years.
Remember that pruning of ground cover often goes overlooked, even by those who often remember to prune trees and shrubs. Ground cover left untended will become overgrown and may choke out other plant life. When kept pruned, ground cover not only looks better but also makes for a healthier garden or landscape. Don’t let something as simple as occasional pruning cause damage to the health of your plants.
Edging Techniques For Ground Cover Plants
Ground cover plants can be beautiful and low-maintenance, but they can also be invasive and spread beyond their allotted area. To keep them in check, edging is an effective technique that creates a physical barrier between the ground cover and the surrounding areas. Here are some edging techniques to help control the growth of ground cover plants:
1. Plastic Edging: Plastic edging is an inexpensive and flexible option that is available in a range of styles and sizes. You can either dig it into the soil or press it in at the borders of the beds to create a barrier. This method is particularly useful for ground covers that spread by runners and roots.
2. Brick Pavers: For a more permanent approach, you can use solid brick pavers for edging. The bricks can be dug in horizontally or vertically to create a barrier that controls the uncontrolled spread of ground cover.
3. Landscape Edging: If the ground cover plants you choose spread by underground root development, you must create a barrier that extends below the surface to keep the roots from going where they shouldn’t. This can be accomplished by digging a narrow trench and inserting landscape edging, such as Grass Barrier 10-inch Depth Edging, to prevent ground cover roots from invading areas where they’re not wanted.
4. Steel, Aluminum or Plastic Edging: The simplest and most subtle landscape borders that effectively separate your lawn from a garden are 4-inch deep strips of steel, aluminum, or plastic. These materials are easy to bend into smooth, graceful curves and stop the spread of grass roots. Painted aluminum and steel offer the sleekest, most refined garden edging look because they almost disappear against the grass and garden bed.
5. Flower Bed Fencing: If there are pests you need to keep out, you may want to consider flower bed fencing. This method not only creates a barrier for ground cover plants but also adds an aesthetic touch to your garden.
When To Trim Ground Cover Plants
The timing for trimming ground cover plants depends on the specific plant and the region in which it is grown. However, there are some general guidelines to follow:
1. Trim ground covers back now through February before new growth appears to remove unattractive foliage, rejuvenate the plants and control growth. Liriope, monkey grass, wedelia, Japanese ardisia and Asiatic jasmine, among others, can be cut back with a lawn mower adjusted to its highest setting, a string trimmer or hedge clippers.
2. Fine leaf Lomandra longifolia types, such as ‘Tanika’ and ‘Katrinus Deluxe’ look spectacular when pruned into ball shapes.
3. Liriope can always be cut to the ground, preferably in winter.
4. Poa can be cut back very short in late winter, early spring, and autumn, never summer.
5. Pennisetum is best cut back in late winter, early spring, and can be cut back hard.
6. In a garden situation, it may be more desirable to cut Dianella and Lomandra close to the ground. Usually, plants will survive that, but occasionally some drop out. To avoid dead plants, you can prune in a two-step process. Cut all but about 10% of the leaves back just above the ground, leaving a few on one side longer. In a few weeks after the rest of the plant has started to reshoot, come back and trim the last few leaves off to the ground.
7. Some ground covers may need pruning every 2 to 4 years to maintain their appearance and health.
Always research the specific ground cover plant you have before trimming it to ensure you are doing it at the correct time and in the correct way for that particular plant.
How Often To Trim Ground Cover Plants
The frequency of trimming ground cover plants depends on the type of plant and its growth rate. Some ground covers can cope with pruning every 5 to 8 years, but they will look a lot better if pruned every 2 to 4 years. It’s important to keep an eye on the growth of your ground cover and prune it whenever it takes on an unattractive appearance due to overgrowth. You should also prune when they begin to harbor wasps or other unwanted insects or animals, as well as when trash or lawn debris begins to collect in the growth.
For smaller bits of growth, clip ground cover with hedge clippers. Ground cover tends to be hardy and will spring back to life quickly, so don’t be afraid to trim it all the way down to an inch or so above ground. For larger portions of ground cover that cannot be easily pruned by hand, use a lawnmower set at its highest setting. However, make sure to sharpen the blades before using the mower to prune ground cover when they are not already sharp. Dull blades will cause the lawnmower to pull the ground cover out of the dirt by the roots, killing it.
In summary, trimming your ground cover plants regularly will not only make them look better, but it will also promote a healthier garden or landscape. Keep an eye on their growth and prune them whenever necessary to prevent overgrowth and maintain their appearance.
