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Ground Cover Rec – So. Cali Zone 9
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Posted by jeri (My Page) on Mon, Nov 2, 09 at 11:28
| Hi
I have a hillside – not very big – above a retaining wall, so no easy access. I need a ground cover that will require no maintenance. Because the hill is visible from inside as well as outside, I would love some pretty little flowers if possible. This area gets a lot of sun.
Would you please recommend a ground cover for me?
While Googleing this, I saw pictures of Creeping Phlox. Would this work for me?
Thanks!
Jeri
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Ground Cover Rec – So. Cali Zone 9
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| Jeri: 1. Where exactly do you live?
2. Creeping phlox does not work for us in California.
3. "No maintenance" is a dream but not realistic. You should expect to at least water for the beginning months and clean up/renovation once or twice a year thereafter.
4. How big (small?) is "not very big"?
5. How tall is the retaining wall and is there some way you can improve access?
6. Does "lots of sun" mean sun from sun-up to sun down or?
7. What are your favorite colors? Joe |
RE: Ground Cover Rec – So. Cali Zone 9
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| Hi Joe! I live in Newbury Park – 91320. I do have sprinklers on the hill that will be on a timer. The wall runs apx 60 ft from the front of the house to the back of the house – it is a side wall. Half of the wall is only 3.5 feet tall and the hill runs apx 10 feet deep (sloped up from the wall). The other half has a 6 ft high wall and the hill runs about 5 feet deep (sloped up from the wall). I hope that makes sense. The hill is south-west facing, so most of the day it is in the sun. Colors – I tend to like the pink and purple flower colors, but the color is not as important as the other considerations. If there was something that would cascade over the wall, I think that would look nice. Perhaps I could plant something different right behind the wall for that effect? What about red apple for the ground cover? It seems to be popular around here, though it looks like it does better in shade from what I see. |
RE: Ground Cover Rec – So. Cali Zone 9
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- Posted by hoovb z9 Southern CA (My Page) on
Mon, Nov 2, 09 at 13:55
--Prostrate rosemary has lovely blue flowers & will cascade.
--Santolina
--lower growing Ceonothus
--Succulents such as aloe, small agaves, senecio. The Aloe flowers are very colorful and attract a lot of hummingbirds. On my slopes I made simple paths with concrete blocks so I can get up there once or twice a year for maintenance. Made life so very much easier. The blocks are mostly hidden in the foliage so they don't show from below. |
RE: Ground Cover Rec – So. Cali Zone 9
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| Lantana will cascade and comes in purple, white, yellow or a orange/red multi color. It gets going easily and be 3 feet long over the summer and bloom most of the year. It will turn black if frosted but new growth will appear in spring the whole length of it. Some say if not enough sun it can get leggy and need trimming back every few years. You might also like myoporum. Comes in pink or white tiny flowers and will cascade also. |
RE: Ground Cover Rec – So. Cali Zone 9
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| My default would be lantana, then rosemary. Iceplant-types have nice fls. Ceanothus too, but it is generally short-lived. All these require little water. Dan |
RE: Ground Cover Rec – So. Cali Zone 9
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| I love the combination of prostate rosemary with lavender lantana. I've also seen vinca used when there's no nearby bed or lawn for it to invade. |
RE: Ground Cover Rec – So. Cali Zone 9
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| I like the ice plant with the teeny leaves. It cascades so nicely over walls, and looks stunning for one month every year when it blooms. I have seen it interplanted with prostrate myoporum and its grayish foliage with the bright green myoporum is very pretty. |
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