Hi Michaela, the ground cover will be just fine with the mulch. Good luck!

I just planted 'Chocolate Chip' earlier this year and it has been great for surpressing weeds.

Thanks Greenhearted! Can I ask where you got yours or did you start it from seed? How has it been for spreading in the first year?

Looking forward to growing this in my garden next spring!

No problem, I bought mine from a local nursery in flats. 'Chocolate Chip' has done very well and has probably tripled in size since planting in June. We've had a fairly mild summer with more rain than usual and I'm sure that has helped.

I also bought a flat of 'Black scallop' and while it is pretty, it hasn't spread nearly as much as CC. I have heard here on GW (after I already bought it) that it is not reliably winter hardy and I see we are in the same zone.

I did plant some creeping phlox ('Emerald Blue') at the same time which has held its own but I wouldn't call it vigorous. Time will tell.

If you have a hot sunny spot, I really love Sedum kamtschaticum. It forms a dense mat which is great for keeping the weeds down, spreads fairly quickly but not what I would consider invasive. I've had it for many years.