Ground cover that won't grab leaves???

jason wood · June 2015

Hello all,

I am in the US, zone 6-7 (Fairfax VA), and have a dirt spot around 60ft x 20ft that is surrounded by and under very old oak trees. The trees keep direct sun to a minimum, and act like an umbrella for rain. However, the area gets plenty of water via runoff from higher ground when we get really hard rain. I am looking for suggestions for a good ground cover that will not allow the leaves to become entangled. Is there such a plant?? Something I can blow, not rake, the leaves away from?? I'm picturing something that, when leaves start to drop, is so full that the leaves just can't find nooks and crannies to get into, and instead just lay on top until I blow them. This is my primary concern, keeping the dirt from washing away and being able to get the leaves without having to pick them out. Then if it's also pretty and smells good, those are bonuses. : ) Many thanks!!!

Logan · June 2015

Jason wood, I live in the UK and don't understand what a dirt spot is tried to google it, does it get waterlogged or just drains away?

Loxley · June 2015

First can you explain why blowing the leaves away is so much of a concern?

Something like Euphorbia a. robbiae (no idea if that's hardy for you) would help stabilise the soil with its roots and the leaves would probably eventually settle around the base of the plant, with no real need for leafblowing. Unless you are saying that leaves blow into the corner and pile up deeply. But I can't see the stems entangling with the leaves - they are upright and non branched with whorls of leaves. If you're removing the leaves you should create leaf mould from them to mulch the area inn spring.

cathy43 · June 2015

The bare ground under your trees, is the soil compacted? what about vinca minor, it spreads by sending out growth that then roots. Unfortunately no scent, no don't someone will be able to think of something. Vinca is a tough, small plant that once established should stand up to the blower

Dovefromabove · June 2015

It's the repeated blowing away./clearing up of leaves each autumn/fall that is contributing to the poor condition of the soil structure and lack of water retention.

Resist the urge to tidy, allow the leaves to remain and decompose naturally into leaf-mould - a wonderful addition to the soil and something we all wish for to improve the soil and add to the bio-diversity - small birds will love to scratch around in the leafmould, looking for the myriad of small insects and grubs that it will provide a home for.

As Cathy43 says, one of the vincas - either minor or major, will grow happily in those conditions. It's evergreen so it will hide the fallen oak leaves while they decompose over the winter. You can cut it hard back in very early spring if it starts to get too rampant, and there's a variegated form if you want even more colour than the pretty blue star-like flowers will provide.

When the soil condition has improved, you could try some Sarcocca confusa there as well https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/16452/Sarcococca-confusa/Details (check for hardiness in your area) which will give you lovely scent in the late winter/early spring.

Ground cover that won't grab leaves???

Posts