Groundcover dilemma

[mgilger]

My wife says for sure it's Sedum. So if I know what's good for me, I agree. What ever it is, it's a very fast grower and easy to trim back, unlike my Cactus. Even with good gloves, you have to watch out.

Mark

[Pagardener]

Looks like sedum or purslane...both spread very quickly. I have Vinca (periwinkle) as my main groundcover..it grows well in the shade..spreads fairly fast and is easy to control.
Barb

[tangerine-jack]

Portulaca maybe?


I had a Dilemma once, hated it. Always breaking down and never could get parts for the imports, finaly sold it and got a Dodge.

[FJ and G]

If it's spreading, it's likely sedum; you've really got a nice thick, healthy patch of whatever

[kstrong]

I'll go with either a small-leafed sedum (if the leaves are thick) or a variety of thyme (if they're flatter, like "normal" leaves). It may be French thyme. I don't have any on my railroad, but I've seen it at the stores. I prefer the German thyme as it's got a much more upright habit, but it looks similar. (Alas, I've not been able to find any this year...)

Later,

K

[Anonymous]

my wife believes it is in the sedum family

[mgilger]

Dave,
Went out this evening and got a close up of my Ground cover "Unknown". Any idea's?



Mark

[FJ and G]

Mark,

[:D]

The other Mark,

I actually like both views, the 2005 and the 2006 views. The 2005 has a vast open wilderness scenic look like Wyoming or central California and the 2006 view is more like a garden look; equally nice.

BTW, I think we should have a fixed post or something on where we can send photos that need plant identification; for instance, I have some wild plants that look cool and sprouted up that I cannot identify

[mgilger]

Dave,
Here is a good comparison from how one of the area's looked in 2005 to how it looks today.

2005


2006


Mark

[markn]

Dave- is your neighborhood missing a stop sign post?

[mgilger]

I'll try and take some close up's of mine so we can compare. What ever they are, they sure do spread.

I never thought Cactus grew in Ohio either. My mom had a few and gave me a couple last year. So the couple now probably have mutliped into at least a hundred, if not more. I was just out back this morning and took the following pictures. Probably 75-100 blooms, with at least that many more that are ready.





Regards,
Mark

[FJ and G]

Mark,

I didn't know cactus grows in Ohio.

I believe the plants in question are wooley yarrow. That's what mine looks like
I couldn't find my closeup photo by here's wooley yarrow to extreme right, center of photo near the front of the train

[mgilger]

I’ve had very good luck with 3 types of plants. Comparing the 2006 shots to the 2005, you can see how fast things have been growing. Surprisingly the Cactus has been growing very fast. In order to control it’s growth, I’ve cut them back 3 separate times and giving the clippings away to friends. Those clippings are now in bloom elsewhere. They have a very bright yellow flower. It seems to bloom several times per year. Where I have Cactus planted, I don’t have problems with animals.

The Sedum is doing very nicely, although has not spread as fast as the other cover.

If anyone can tell me what the other plant is, I would appreciate finding out. We transplanted several small section from the front of the house last spring, and it’s spreading so fast it’s taking over the rock area as fast as I can trim it back.

I live in northern Ohio and everyone seems to be surprised the cactus grows so well.

With the exception of the Cactus, I have not had to do any mulching. These 2 varieties seem to crowd out everything else, including the weeds. I wish I could figure out how to keep the weeds out of the Cactus. Its tricky picking weeds without getting ***ed by them

SPRING 2005


SPRING 2006


CACTUS 2006


Sedum Spathulifolium ' Cape Blanco' - 2006


Green thumbing in Ohio.
Mark

[FJ and G]

hanks Tom, blue aster, etc; this forum and the other have been a REALLY big lifesaver for me.

[Anonymous]

Dave have you tried "miracle grow " yet ? That stuff works for me . I planted some Elfin Thyme 3 years ago that started out maybe 3" square . Today they are 30" square . As far as the weeds Preen works great.

[ttrigg]

David;

Some of the thymes take forever to spread, a 1" square will be 2" square in about a year and a half. Weed control for them is very important.

[FJ and G]

Thanks, Rene, Didn't realize that that "magic dust" existed[:D]

[Rene Schweitzer]

David,
Have you tried using Preen? It's a granular mix you sprinkle onto the soil and it prohibits weed seeds from sprouting, but won't harm your existing groundcover. A container goes a long way, too, so it's economical.

With sedum, I've found that regular division encourages new growth.

[FJ and G]

I've got some thymes and sedums and other cool stuff that I want to spread. Here's the dilemma. When I leave bare soil for them to spread to, the grass and weeds get there first. So I end up mulching around my plants. OTOH, the mulch discourages spreading.

Very frustrating.

Any ideas appreciated!

(also tips on how to encourage new growth)