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| Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) |
Most of us are familiar with the idea of using ground covers in the landscape and how they can add a welcome carpet of color.
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| Goodding’s Verbena (Glandularia gooddingii) |
But, you may be surprised to find that they serve another purpose that is especially appreciated in hot climates. Ground covers help to reduce the heat from the sun. They do this by preventing the sun from heating up the ground that they cover. When the ground heats up, it absorbs heat only to re-radiate it outward. So, using ground covers is just one way to help cool down the landscape by a degree or two.
I recently shared my favorite 10 native Southwestern ground covers in my latest article for Houzz.
What is your favorite ground cover?
Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a horticulturist, certified arborist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
My favorite groundcover is Lavender ( Western Europe). I love to read about your plants. It's interesting! http://momentsfrozentime.blogspot.nl/
Dear AZ Plant Lady,
I really want to plant ROCKS in my yard and eliminate these awful “grasses” totally.
Would it be advisable to cut a few trails through the front yard with flagstones and then
strategically place your 10 favorite ground covers throughout?
Dan in East Mesa
Hi Dan,
That would look great! Flagstone steps, boulders, and groundcovers are a winning combination.