I have an area which is partly shaded by evergreens with sparse grass growing which I would like to plant some ground cover plants on instead. Do I need to remove the grass or could I just put down topsoil and plant on top of it? I am thinking of periwinkle and heather and any other suggestions. I live in Hamilton, Ontario.

I would actually just cultivate the area you want to cover, grass and all... any mat forming ground cover will probably prevent the grass from growing, and the decomposing grass will feed the new plants. Those sound like great ideas for your ground cover... my personal favorite is scotch moss :) Good luck!

I agree with Kath, Irene. You can dig the grass under, breaking up the big clumps and raking first, then plant ground cover. Vinca is a hardy, evergreen ground cover with mauve flowers in the spring/summer. You might also consider other shade lovers such as hosta, astilbe, ferns, lily of the valley and many more...investigate and experiment! Most of all, have fun... Valerie

Not related to the ground cover question... :) Just wanted to welcome Valerie! If you're ever looking for a fellow gardener to chat with, I am in the Email Pals list :) feel free to drop me a line! I moved a few months ago from Muskoka, ON... :) Cheers!

Thanks for your kind welcome Kath. You're in zone 3a - I'm curious what general area are you in? I'm in north Toronto, my childhood stomping grounds.

Valerie

I was from the northern part of Muskoka, but am now living about 30 mins north of Edmonton, AB... :)

Can I grow the clover one buys around St Patrick's Day? I assume it is an annual. Has anyone tried growing it outside? Anne

Hi, I'm new to this site and looking for a ground cover to plant instead of grass. I have a small back yard that slopes down into a little creek. I have old fashioned violets that I'd like to keep but get rid of the grass. I was thinking of strawberry clover but think it gets too cold for it. Would vinca work for me? Would it kill the violets? Anything that would work with them? Thanks.

ps to my last post. My backyard is moderately sunny.

The grass does poorly for two reasons: One is light, but the other is pH. The needles from the evergreens make the soil acid. Also evergreens are really good at taking all the water. You may find that if you work in a reasonable amount of bone meal or crushed limestone plus a bit of fertilizer, plus waterign well, you can grow grass tehre just fine.

In Hamilton, you are warm enough to put rhododendrons (which love acid soil) in that place.

As a third thought: Blueberries.

-- Sherwood Botsford Sherwood's Forests Warburg, Alberta T0C 2T0 http://www.sherwoods-forests.com 780-848-2548

For Irene: Lamium is another groundcover to consider that will grow in dry shade under evergreens. Its variegated leaves and pink or white long blooming flowers brighten an area as well. Also from Hamilton.