<h4>You're browser does not support iFrames - here is an exerpt of the content</h4> <a href="http://gardenerstips.co.uk/blog/gardening/vivid-ground-cover-plants-and-ideas/">Click here to read the article in full</a> <p><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4752580434_8ca93efbb3.jpg"alt=""/></p> <p>A colourful carpet of ground cover plants may be a creative, low maintenance alternative to a lawn. Alternatively a pattern of coloured stone or chippings with feature plants in containers may be your preference.</p> <h3>Collection of Low Growing Plants</h3> <ul> <li> A mix of flowers and shrubs can include conifers like Golden Juniper Juniperus x media ‘Golden Sovereign’, Juniperus horizontalis, Juniper squamata ‘Holger’ and Picea pungens ‘Glauca Prostrata’ all around one foot tall with varying spreads.</li> <li>For colour in summer you can’t beat some Petunia multiflora and vibrant Busy Lizzie Impatiens. Try the ‘accent’ series from <a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2283&awinaffid=81944&clickref=&p=http://www.thompson-morgan.com/plants1/search.html?section=all&search=<b>busy%20lizzie</b>"> Thompson Morgan</a></li> <li>Bulbs of Dutch Iris, Cyclamen, Crocus and Muscari can provide spring and autumn colour.</li> <li>Fillers and good doers include Bugle Ajuga reopens, Pinks Dianthus Indian hybrids, Geranium, Sedum and Vinca.</li> </ul> <h3>Design Features</h3> <ul> <li> Wide flat rocks can break up the verdant space and give the gardener a place to stand and weed.</li> <li>Think in terms of 8-12″ as the average height with accent plants if required.</li> <li>Create a backing or edging with taller uniform plants. Roses box or taller Conifers may suit.</li> <li>Plant in bold blocks of colour with annuals close together for maximum effect.</li> </ul> <h3>Patterns of Gravel</h3> <ul> <li>Ground cover of pebbles, chippings or gravel can add colour. I like plum coloured slate chippings.</li> <li>The covering can be used to stand elegant containers perhaps containing trailing plants like lobelia or geraniums.</li> <li>Make sure you have a weed barrier under the gravel.</li> <li>Gravel should be comparatively low maintenance but keep it spruce and moss free.</li> </ul> <p><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4831008234_ff8c604a81.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>Similar rule apply when planting ground cover that grows taller. Select a height 18-24″ in this case and plant appropriate plants in the designated area. Tree ferns have been used as accent plants in this design.</p>
