I live just outside of Asheville, NC and need a few recommendations
for ground cover.

area #1:
under a deck , which is like 14' off of the ground (I live on a
hill). This area gets morning sun until noon when it gets nothing
direct. I'd say the direct light is from 9am until noon or so. If it
rains it gets mildly wet from water running through the deck planks.
This faces east and butts up against the house, which is brick. I'd
like to plant something here that won't invade the lawn. Some grass
wise trying to grow here. At one time I had firewood stacked in this
location but removed it and put some lime down.

area #2:
north side of house. gets morning sun that is dappled. There is an
overhang about 20' up (roof, no gutter). There is a house directly
north of this spot about 15' away and a mulberry tree in the center.
Grass hasn't had too much luck here, even the shady variety. Ivy
seems to take hold ok here, but I've had enough of dealing with that.


What would you recommend I try in these locations? One nursery person
said hostas, but I want something that will give cover. I thought
about mulch but vegetation would look nicer.

Under your deck, it sounds as though you have a great spot for hostas and
several other shade loving plants. Three hours of morning sun (in Asheville)
can be handled by many shade lovers, especially hostas. I have "Golden Tiara"
planted in just such a situation and it has completely filled the area in three
years.

Other suggestions include epimediums, pachysandra (there's a variety called
Alleghany Spurge), and hellebores. Dwarf mondo grass would almost look like
grass but it can take a while to fill in an area.

You might want to go over to the Botanical Garden just west of Asheville to see
what they might have growing as ground covers.

Happy planting.

Pachysandra. Bulletproof, troublefree, keeps the soil draining nicely,
laughs at bad weather, doesn't spread quickly, easy to control.

"rickm" wrote in message
news
I live just outside of Asheville, NC and need a few recommendations
for ground cover.

area #1:
under a deck , which is like 14' off of the ground (I live on a
hill). This area gets morning sun until noon when it gets nothing
direct. I'd say the direct light is from 9am until noon or so. If it
rains it gets mildly wet from water running through the deck planks.
This faces east and butts up against the house, which is brick. I'd
like to plant something here that won't invade the lawn. Some grass
wise trying to grow here. At one time I had firewood stacked in this
location but removed it and put some lime down.

area #2:
north side of house. gets morning sun that is dappled. There is an
overhang about 20' up (roof, no gutter). There is a house directly
north of this spot about 15' away and a mulberry tree in the center.
Grass hasn't had too much luck here, even the shady variety. Ivy
seems to take hold ok here, but I've had enough of dealing with that.


What would you recommend I try in these locations? One nursery person
said hostas, but I want something that will give cover. I thought
about mulch but vegetation would look nicer.

Take a trip on over to Jesse Israel at the Farmers Market. He can
sell you any ground cover you want most all of which will work in
the application you want. You may need to give it additional water
at least until you have a good cover going..

alice

"rickm" wrote in message
news
I live just outside of Asheville, NC and need a few recommendations
for ground cover.

area #1:
under a deck , which is like 14' off of the ground (I live on a
hill). This area gets morning sun until noon when it gets nothing
direct. I'd say the direct light is from 9am until noon or so. If it
rains it gets mildly wet from water running through the deck planks.
This faces east and butts up against the house, which is brick. I'd
like to plant something here that won't invade the lawn. Some grass
wise trying to grow here. At one time I had firewood stacked in this
location but removed it and put some lime down.

area #2:
north side of house. gets morning sun that is dappled. There is an
overhang about 20' up (roof, no gutter). There is a house directly
north of this spot about 15' away and a mulberry tree in the center.
Grass hasn't had too much luck here, even the shady variety. Ivy
seems to take hold ok here, but I've had enough of dealing with that.


What would you recommend I try in these locations? One nursery person
said hostas, but I want something that will give cover. I thought
about mulch but vegetation would look nicer.