Spreading Evergreens...a great choice for groundcover, slope planting or soil erosion

Spreading Evergreens...for groundcover or soil erosion. What a great choice when considering groundcover in your garden. For that matter, Spreading Evergreens are very effective for soil erosion on slopes.

In my past gardens and now in this Gardening and Landscaping Makeover, my first choice for groundcover or slopes is definitely the Spreading Evergreen.

When planting spreading varieties, why not incorporate small rocks into the flower garden as well. This also works well if the area needs to be held in place because of soil erosion, like an incline or slope.

We have certainly done both, the use of porous limestone for terracing a slope and adding larger rocks for added interest. Then we plant the Mugos and Junipers. We have also placed larger boulders but give careful consideration to where the rocks and boulders should be placed. You only want to move the boulders once.

Tip When adding larger boulders, make sure they look like they've been there for centuries. In other words, dig them part way into the ground...don't just sit them on top of the soil.

Tip Use porous limestone. It holds moisture and is great for garden plants.

Below are my favorites and ones that I have planted in my flower gardens and garden slopes.

Planting Spreading Evergreens

When planting spreading evergreens or any kind of shrub remember to:

• dig the hole 3 times as wide and as deep as the container
• add a hand full of bone meal when planting
• add some 'quick start' fertilizer like Miracle-Gro Quick Start or MYKE to establish the roots
• once you have back filled with the soil, apply 2" layer of mulch around the shrub, not too close to the main stock
• water regularly until established. After 2 weeks of planting feed with a water soluble plant food.
• after shrubs have been planted for a year, remember to deep water prior to winter freeze up (if you are in a colder climate)
• so far the evergreens that I have planted have done well in full sun and shade

Pruning Spreading Evergreens

I have included the pruning techniques along with the descriptions for each shrub below. However, when pruning these evergreens remember to lift up the branches and get underneath. There is usually dry, brown or even dead branches hiding under the green. This tidies up the shrub and decreases the chance of pest invasion. I usually tackle this job every spring and then again late summer.

Here are some of my great choices...

The Mugo Pine (image above right)

A compact stout pine shrub with 2-3" needles on branches that sweep upwards. You can prune the new growth (called candles) to keep the shrub compact. (that's what I do) Although the Mugo Pine can get winter burn from the sun, if it gets enough snow cover, should be fine. I trim off the winter burn once the new growth has completed.

This creeping juniper's roots when the branches touch the ground. Branches grow to be about 8-12". Very nice steel blue color.

It needs very little pruning and mounds in the center. If you want to prune this shrub, prune it like you were giving it a layered haircut. Don't forget to trim the spikes coming out from the mound as well.

This spreading evergreen has horizontal branches and prickly branches. Interestingly, every time I prune my Blue Star I get a rash on my hands and arms.

This is a slow growing juniper and grows 2-3'. Could get a little winter burn, but easy to prune (snip off with garden scissors or snips) off.

This juniper has weeping branches branches and the green needles are a bit prickly. This juniper can grow large but it is a slow grower. It can get winter burn but I just take my scissors and cut off the brown branches. Clean underneath the branches every spring to keep the shrub tidy.

The spreading yew has soft, flat, dark green needles. This yew is a slow growing spreader. Likes to grow in a moist, protected area. It does get winter browning and I have tried on several occasions to grow the Taunton Yew with no success. They are great for hedges and offer red berries in the fall.

However, it is said that the Taunton variety is the best for being resistant to winter burning and the best for a colder climate. If you can grow or want to grow a Yew remember that they like a well drained, slightly alkaline soil. Prune after the spring growth has started.

Also in the category of spreading evergreens remember about the flowering kinds such as Periwinkle (tiny blue violet flowers) and Japanese Spurge/Pachysandra (left image). Japanese Spurge spreads by underground rhizomes and grows to 10" tall. Another great spreading groundcover.

The above image was taken July 28, 2009 from my middle island garden. Dusty Miller wraps around this spreading Juniper.

Check out my Site Index Page for a listing of additional annuals and perennials to plant in your flower garden design.

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