Gone to ground
Groundcovers can be grown as a lawn substitute, are useful in preventing soil erosion, cope well on slopes and are ideal for covering bare soil under trees. Groundcovers can take the form of creeping carpets and mats that spread by means of surface runners or underground roots, or massed compact plants that cover the soil. Try these ground-covering stalwarts:
• Dwarf agapanthus, Aptenia cordifolia, arctotis, Dymondia margaretae, Festuca glauca, gazania, osteospermum, vygie and thyme – they all look most effective when planted close together.
• In shady spots try Ajuga reptans, Barleria repens, Chlorophytum comosum, Lamium maculatum cultivars, Liriope spicata and trailing phlox (Chaenostoma cordatum).
Coping mechanisms
February is one of the hottest months of the year, with some parts of the country experiencing severe hailstorms. Try…
