The main ground cover plant drawbacks include aggressive spreading and slow fill times. Some plants also compete hard with other plants you want to keep. You need to know these issues before you plant.
I made the mistake of planting Creeping Jenny next to my lawn three years ago. That plant sent runners across my grass within one summer. I spent hours pulling it out of the turf trying to get the border back. Some of it still pops up in places I thought I cleared.
The ground cover disadvantages start with spreading habits you might not expect. SDSU Extension warns that some plants become aggressive competitors. They crowd out other plants you want to keep. Some types jump into natural areas nearby and hurt native plants there.
Many new gardeners get frustrated by how long ground covers take to fill in. UGA Extension notes that plants can take three or more years to cover a space. You stare at bare soil between plants for multiple seasons. Weeds move in during those gaps and create extra work for you.
Foot traffic poses another issue. UF Extension points out that most ground covers cannot handle regular walking. They go flat or die where people step often. You need stepping stones or paths through any area that gets foot traffic from you or your family.
Some ground covers escape your yard and harm wild areas. UMD Extension flags certain species as invasive in natural settings. English Ivy and Periwinkle top that list in many regions. These plants spread by birds eating their berries. Your pretty ground cover becomes a problem for everyone else.
Competition with other plants catches people off guard too. A healthy ground cover fights for water and nutrients with everything around it. Your perennials near the edge of a ground cover bed struggle to compete. Some ground covers even send chemicals into the soil that harm nearby plants.
You can reduce problems with ground cover plants by planning well upfront. Pick species that match your site and stay where you put them. Install root barriers or edging where ground cover meets lawn. Avoid known invasive species even if they look nice. Check your local extension office for plants that work in your area.
The benefits of ground cover still outweigh the drawbacks for most people. You just need to go in with open eyes about the challenges ahead. Choose the right plant for your spot. Plan for the spread you want and no more. A little thought now saves you lots of frustration later on.
Read the full article: 10 Top Ground Cover Shade Plants
