Juniper ground cover has gained popularity among gardeners and landscapers due to its evergreen appearance and ability to provide low-maintenance coverage. This type of ground cover is composed of various juniper species, which offer a distinct beauty to any landscape. While juniper ground cover is undoubtedly stunning on its own, pairing it with compatible plants can create a harmonious and visually appealing garden or landscape design. Through careful consideration and planning, selecting the right companions for juniper ground cover can enhance its beauty and provide additional benefits to the overall environment. In this article, we will explore some suitable plant options to accompany juniper ground cover, ensuring an aesthetically pleasing and thriving landscape. So, let’s dive into the world of What To Plant With Juniper Ground Cover and discover the possibilities of creating a truly remarkable outdoor space.
key Takeaways
- Juniper ground cover is a low-maintenance option for landscapes, providing both beauty and functionality.
- When choosing companion plants for juniper ground cover, consider plants that can tolerate the same conditions, such as full sun and well-drained soil.
- Some suitable plants to grow with juniper ground cover include sedums, creeping thyme, creeping phlox, and ice plants.
- Companion plants should complement juniper ground cover’s texture and color, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the landscape.
- Avoid growing plants with aggressive growth habits or those that require regular maintenance near juniper ground cover.
- Consider planting varieties of companion plants that spread or creep to fill gaps between juniper ground cover, creating a seamless and cohesive look.
- Maintain a proper spacing between companion plants and juniper ground cover to allow for adequate airflow and prevent competition for nutrients.
- Regular maintenance tasks for juniper ground cover and companion plants may include pruning, weeding, and occasional fertilization.
- Proper watering techniques for both juniper ground cover and companion plants are essential to maintain their health and vigor.
- Consulting with a local nursery or landscaping professional can provide valuable advice specific to your region and site conditions when choosing companion plants for juniper ground cover.
What plants can be planted with juniper ground cover?
Introduction
When it comes to planting with juniper ground cover, it is important to choose companion plants that will not only enhance the beauty of the landscape but also thrive in the same growing conditions. In this article, we will explore various options for planting alongside juniper ground cover, considering factors such as compatibility, sun exposure, soil requirements, and aesthetic appeal.
Perennial Flowers
Perennial flowers are an excellent choice to complement juniper ground cover. These plants provide pops of color that can contrast or complement the evergreen foliage of the juniper. Some popular choices include:
1. Creeping Phlox: This low-growing perennial features vibrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. It creates a beautiful carpet-like effect when combined with juniper ground cover.
2. Daylilies: With their wide range of colors and long blooming period, daylilies add a stunning visual appeal to the landscape. They can withstand various soil types and are known to be quite hardy.
3. Black-Eyed Susans: These yellow flowering perennials attract butterflies and bees, adding life and movement to the garden. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them a great companion for juniper ground cover.
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses provide a unique texture and movement to the garden, making them an excellent choice to pair with juniper ground cover. Consider these options:
1. Fountain Grass: This graceful and arching grass variety comes in different heights and colors, adding a sense of movement and softness to the landscape. The feathery plumes in shades of pink or white create an attractive contrast.
2. Maiden Grass: With its tall and slender form, maiden grass adds vertical interest and drama to the garden. The foliage changes color throughout the seasons, ranging from green to red, providing year-round appeal.
3. Blue Fescue: This compact and clumping grass variety forms attractive mounds of blue-gray foliage. It creates a striking contrast against the juniper ground cover and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.
Ground Covers
In addition to juniper ground cover, incorporating other low-growing plants that spread and fill empty spaces can enhance the visual appeal of the landscape. Some suitable options are:
1. Creeping Thyme: This aromatic herb forms a dense mat of tiny leaves and produces delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. It thrives in hot and dry conditions, making it a perfect companion for the drought-tolerant juniper.
2. Creeping Jenny: Also known as moneywort, this trailing plant features vibrant chartreuse leaves that provide a bright contrast to the dark green juniper foliage. It excels in moist or damp areas, adding a touch of lushness.
3. Blue Star Creeper: With its small star-shaped blue flowers, this ground cover creates a carpet-like effect and adds a splash of color to the landscape. It tolerates moderate foot traffic, making it ideal for areas that may be traversed.
Conclusion
What are some good companion plants to consider when planting Juniper ground cover?
When choosing companion plants to grow alongside Juniper ground cover, it is important to consider plants that complement its growth habit and thrive in similar growing conditions. Some good options to consider include:
Sedums:
Sedums are a great companion plant for Juniper ground cover due to their ability to withstand dry conditions and their low-growing nature. They come in a variety of colors and textures, providing a visually appealing contrast to the Juniper. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’ are popular choices.
Creeping Thyme:
Creeping Thyme is another excellent companion for Juniper ground cover. It forms a dense mat of low-growing foliage, similar to Juniper, and has a fragrant aroma when crushed. This plant requires full sun and well-drained soil, making it a perfect match for Juniper.
Blue Star Creeper:
Blue Star Creeper is a low-growing perennial ground cover that thrives in full sun to part shade conditions. It produces delicate blue flowers in spring and summer, adding a pop of color to the Juniper ground cover. It is also tolerant of foot traffic, making it a good choice for paths and walkways.
Woolly Thyme:
Woolly Thyme is a creeping perennial with tiny aromatic leaves that form a dense, mat-like ground cover. This plant is drought-tolerant and prefers full sun. Its soft, woolly texture provides a beautiful contrast to the spiky foliage of Juniper.
Stonecrop:
Stonecrop is a versatile ground cover plant that comes in many varieties. Its succulent leaves store water, allowing it to thrive in dry conditions. Stonecrop ‘Angelina’ and ‘Autumn Fire’ are popular choices that create a striking contrast with the Juniper ground cover.
Can Juniper ground cover be planted with taller plants or shrubs?
While Juniper ground cover is primarily low-growing and best used as a foreground or border plant, it can be planted alongside taller plants or shrubs to create an attractive layered effect in the garden. This combination can help add depth and visual interest. However, it is important to consider the growth habits and cultural requirements of both the Juniper and the taller plants when planning their arrangement.
Taller Grasses:
Planting Juniper ground cover with taller ornamental grasses can create a naturalistic and textured look in the garden. Grasses such as Miscanthus, Panicum, and Switchgrass work well when combined with Juniper. The feathery plumes and taller growth of these grasses can provide a beautiful backdrop to the lower-growing Juniper.
Tall Shrubs:
Some tall shrubs can also be used as companion plants for Juniper ground cover. Shrubs such as Spiraea, Viburnum, and Ceanothus can provide a vertical element to the garden design. Be mindful of the ultimate height and spread of these shrubs to ensure they do not overpower the Juniper. It is also important to consider their sun and water requirements to ensure compatibility with the Juniper ground cover.
Climbers and Vines:
Planting climbing plants or vines near Juniper ground cover can create dynamic vertical interest. Vines such as Clematis, Honeysuckle, and Trumpet Vine can be grown on trellises or allowed to climb nearby structures. Ensure that the climbing plants do not smother or overshadow the Juniper by providing enough spacing and support.
Layered Planting:
To create a layered planting scheme, consider incorporating plants of various heights and textures. By strategically placing taller plants behind the Juniper ground cover, you can create an appealing visual effect. Mixing in different colors and foliage types can further enhance the overall aesthetic of the planted area.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, choosing the right companion plants for Juniper ground cover is essential for creating a visually appealing and well-balanced garden design. Sedums, creeping thyme, blue star creeper, woolly thyme, and stonecrop are all excellent choices that partner well with Juniper. Additionally, taller grasses, shrubs, climbers, and vines can be incorporated to add depth and interest to the planting scheme. By carefully selecting and arranging companion plants, you can enhance the beauty of your Juniper ground cover and create a stunning landscape.