10 ground cover shrubs

Very useful to occupy the ground in areas where you want to do without the chore of weeding, ground cover shrubs offer a ready-made solution. Appreciate them for what they're worth, and they'll give you back.

Creeping rosemary

Creeping rosemary (Rosmarinus prostratus) is a small shrub with a creeping habit that is very popular as a honey plant that attracts pollinating insects and as a condiment and medicinal plant. It thrives in all types of well-drained soils, even poor ones, as long as it is placed in full sun.

St. John's wort

St. John's wort does not exceed 60 cm in height but spreads over several meters covering the ground with its bright yellow flowers from June to September. The stolons allow him to trace on a beautiful distance as well as to multiply it very easily. Planted in semi-shade or full sun, it supports all types of soil, even poor ones.

The creeping ceanothus

The creeping ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var repens) is an evergreen shrub which is covered with clouds of blue flowers in May/June. In rock gardens as well as in a bed or on a slope, it covers the ground in the most beautiful way. It accepts all types of well-drained soil and is equally at home in full sun or part shade.

The creeping juniper

The creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) does not exceed 30 cm in height but can easily spread out to nearly 2m. This fragrant conifer accepts all types of well-drained soils, even dry and poor. Hardy, easy to grow and maintain, it will not give you any trouble and its evergreen foliage will accompany you in all seasons.

The creeping broom

The creeping broom (Cytisus kewensis) has fluffy leaves and a creeping habit, since despite its low height (0.25cm) it spreads over 1.5m. Amazing, the cream/greenish flowers literally cover the plant in May. It thrives in drained, poor soil and full sun.

Creeping Honeysuckle

Creeping Honeysuckle (Lonicera pileata) is an excellent shade-loving ground cover, making it ideal to grace the base of tall trees. The small glossy green leaves provide a very dense cover and provide shelter for many small animals. It is not picky about the soil as long as it stays cool.

The ground cover rose

The ground cover rose is ideal for covering an embankment or as a border for beds and paths. There are many varieties of this rose, not exceeding 50 cm and spreading over about 1 m². The Fairy', with its very double, soft pink flowers, is probably the most famous of them. Roses like full sun and rich, drained soil in which they will give their best.

Cotoneaster dammeri 

Cotoneaster dammeri is a vigorous shrub that spreads quickly to at least two meters despite its 25 cm height. Evergreen, its glossy green foliage is covered with melliferous flowers in June and then with pretty red berries that birds love. Very tolerant of exposure and soil type, it does best in cool, fertile soil but bears fruit best in full sun.

The Sawara cypress

The Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera Kaatje) has a drooping, prostrate habit that is perfect for adorning rock gardens, embankments and beds. Its filiform and persistent foliage remains elegant in all circumstances. Hardy and easy to grow, it appreciates an acidic, drained but cool soil and a sunny exposure.

The birch leaf spirea

The birch leaf spirea (Spiraea betulifolia) reaches 80 cm in all directions and presents a dense and compact foliage which becomes flamboyant in autumn. This shrub appreciates cool and even humid soils but always well drained. In full sun, you will enjoy its corymbs of white flowers, very appreciated by butterflies, from May.

10 Pollution Resistant Shrubs

In the city, pollution often reigns supreme, harming living organisms, including plants of course. Here is a selection of 10 shrubs that tolerate these difficult conditions.

The forsythia

The forsythia is one of the first shrubs to light up the spring with its yellow flowers appearing well before the foliage. Very hardy, it can be planted in any garden, in semi-shade or full sun and in all types of soil.

The lilac

The lilac perfumes the gardens from April. Its blue, purple, pink or white flowers in clusters are a visual and olfactory wonder. It appreciates neutral to calcareous drained soils and sunny exposures to bloom well. Very hardy, it resists to temperatures of -20°C.

The skimmia

The skimmia is a very ornamental shrub by its splendid and fragrant spring flowering in white stars, followed by flamboyant red berries which will color your winter. The skimmia likes neutral to acid soil and does not tolerate limestone, it appreciates half-shade. Hardy and resistant to diseases and pests, it is an ideal subject for beginners.

The Japanese hornbeam

The Japanese hornbeam is an ideal shrub for mixed hedges or as an isolated subject. It can reach 3m in height and is adorned with golden yellow pompons in spring. Hardy, resistant to almost everything, easy to grow, it appreciates drained and fertile soils and a sunny exposure.

Sarcococca

Sarcococca is an evergreen shrub, precious for its bewitchingly fragrant bloom in the middle of winter. Ornamental berries will follow this one, adding further appeal to this easy-to-grow, maintenance-free plant. An ordinary, neutral to acidic, well-drained soil and a semi-shaded exposure will suit it perfectly.

The pieris blooms

The pieris blooms abundantly in spring in clusters of white bells. Very resistant and hardy, it can withstand both drought and wind without flinching. An acid and fresh soil will suit it perfectly as well as a half-shaded exposure.

The buddleia

The buddleia or 'butterfly tree', attracts pollinating insects to its clusters of white, purple or pink scented flowers all summer long. It tolerates all types of soil, heat and wind and thrives in full sun where it will grow to a height of up to 5 m in all directions. It is an ideal hedge subject.

The broom

The broom will find its place as well in free hedge as in bed or in rockery. Its delicately scented bright yellow flowers signal the return of the beautiful season. In full sun in neutral or acid soil, it will grow even if the soil is poor and very drained.

The althea

The althea is an easy to grow shrub despite its exotic look. Very hardy, it likes full sun in any type of well-drained soil, even limestone. It then covers itself with white, pink or purple flowers all summer long without needing any particular care.

The deutzia

The deutzia is covered with white or pink flowers in spring. Its rapid growth, its resistance and its ease of cultivation make it an ideal subject for beginners, especially as it is happy with all types of soil and most exposures.

Fast growing trees and shrubs

When you buy a piece of land or after the construction of your house, you want to enjoy a beautiful garden quickly. Impatient gardeners, here is a selection of trees and shrubs that will live up to your expectations!

Structure the decor

Trees and shrubs are the structure of a garden setting. They are perennial elements that will remain in place for many years and will grow in size over time. Think carefully about their size once they are mature before introducing them. If necessary, make a plan to better visualize what it could look like to adapt the other elements of the garden such as beds, rock gardens, paths or flowerbeds to their position.

Conditions for success

Our selection presents subjects that will grow relatively quickly. However, never forget that to ensure full success, the plants must be adapted to the soil of your garden (soil, region, altitude, exposure) and that they must be well watered the two years following planting to allow them to grow harmoniously.

Fast growing trees and shrubs

The trees

Catalpa: a very ornamental spreading tree that can reach 15 meters in height for as much spreading. Very hardy (up to -25°C), it appreciates well-drained soils and a half-shade or sunny exposure. Its clusters of white flowers tinted with purple inside unfold in summer.

The weeping willow: magnificent and ideal at the edge of a large body of water or on a humid site, the weeping willow is a fast-growing tree that can reach 25 meters in height and 20 meters in spread. A plantation in the sun suits it well.

The Eucalyptus: to be reserved for the southern regions, except for the few rustic species. It can reach an impressive height (100 m) if the conditions of culture are suitable. A location in full sun and a rich and fresh soil is required.

Cypress: some species are ideal for hedges, others are preferred as isolated specimens. Cypresses are not very fussy about the soil, but appreciate full sun. They are very hardy and can be planted in most regions.

Shrubs

Black elder : it is the ideal shrub for beginners. It likes most soils and regions but prefers a sunny location. Its rounded shape and dark purple foliage make it a first choice ornamental subject.

Serviceberry: It has a spectacular starry bloom and is adorned with flamboyant shades in the fall. Its purple berries are also very ornamental. It appreciates a fresh, fertile, deep and slightly acid soil. It can be planted in semi-shade or full sun.

Spirea: many species and varieties of spirea are available on the market. The flowerings in bunches or in corymbs cover a wide range of colors. Very hardy, spireas are easy to grow and are happy with most soils. They appreciate a sunny or half-shade exposure.

Japanese Azalea, growing tips

The Japanese azalea is, as its name suggests, a plant native to Japan that blooms in April / early May, for 3 to 4 weeks.

The needs of the Japanese azalea

The Japanese azalea is an evergreen plant that should be planted in a sunny or semi-shaded location, but never in a hot sun. There is only one requirement: plant it in heather soil, i.e. acid soil with a pH of 5.5.

Pruning your azalea

The Japanese azalea can be pruned just after flowering, when the branches are a bit long. The recovery on the wood is done without any worry and the pruning will not hinder the blooming the following year.

The azalea, a hardy plant

The azalea is a hardy plant that does not fear frost. In the open ground it can withstand temperatures as low as -15 / -17°C.

The only need to please your azalea is to keep the soil always moist.

Growing azaleas in pots

For pot-grown azaleas, only use heather soil as a substrate, which you will place in a well-drained container. In winter, if the temperature drops below -10°C, protect the pot to prevent the root ball from freezing (a potted plant is less resistant to cold than a plant in the ground).

Feeding your azalea

As is the case for all heathland plants, the soil must be fertilized once a year. Apply organic fertilizer on the surface, in early spring, just after flowering. This will be enough to keep the plant fed all season.

Multiplying the azalea

The azalea multiplies by cuttings, during the summer.

The different varieties of Japanese azaleas

There are many varieties of Japanese azaleas: small-flowered and large-flowered varieties, varieties that keep their green foliage throughout the winter, and others, such as the 'Johanna' variety, that turn purple. Others still will have a light green foliage...

All this range allows to play with the flowers in spring and with the foliage in winter.

Cutting the camellia

The propagation by cuttings of camellia requires patience and know-how. Let's see how to proceed in the best conditions.

A multitude of varieties

With more than 250 species and an even greater number of cultivars, camellias are shrubs with devastating charm. They are appreciated for their spectacular flowering which can last for a good part of the year if we take care to choose the right varieties. The flowers, single, double or so-called 'peony', vary in color from pure white to bright red, passing through all shades of pink. More rarely we find subjects with yellow flowers. Some cultivars have variegated flowers.

Cutting camellia: instructions for use

The cutting of camellia is not difficult to realize, however two essential points will have to be taken into account: heat (relative) and constant rate of humidity will have to be respected. If all the ingredients are met, success is almost guaranteed!

Equipment needed:

• A pruning shears ;
• a grafting tool or a sharp knife;
• a small pot (5 to 7cm diameter);
• a light mixture of heather soil and river sand;
• a translucent plastic bag (like a freezer bag);
• raffia or rubber band;
• Cutting hormone (optional).

When and how to proceed ?

Camellia cuttings are best done in summer, when the temperature will be favourable for the operation.

• Choose a healthy and vigorous plant. Take the end of a 15 cm long branch with disinfected secateurs. The cutting must be Augusted, that is to say that the stem will be of brown color with bark.
• Remove all the leaves at the base of the cutting to keep only the three leaves at the end of it.
• Cut the cutting with the grafting tool on 2 cm ;
• With the same tool, remove the bark on one side of the base of the cutting for about 3 cm ;
• Fill your pot with the mixture and water;
• Dig a hole in the center of the mixture with a small piece of wood or a pencil;
• Dip the base of the cutting in a little bit of cutting hormone powder if you wish;
• Carefully place the stem in the pre-formed hole and place the soil around it, packing it well around the cutting;
• To keep the humidity and the heat, place the plastic bag on the cutting and fix it on the pot with the help of the raffia or the elastic;
• Place your cutting in the shade but in a bright place.

And afterwards?

Make sure to maintain a good level of humidity. After a few months, signs of recovery should appear (growth of leaves and roots). Remove the plastic bag and repot the following spring. Keep the plant in the nursery for another two years before moving it to its final location.

Camellia, the keys to success

Some advice to succeed in growing your camellia ...

The best location

Shelter from cold draughts and the burning rays of the sun. The cooler the soil remains in summer, the more the camellia resists the sun. Don't hesitate to plant it under the cover of large deciduous trees, avoiding the proximity of large shallow-rooted trees that pump all the water. The presence of a canopy protects the most fragile flowers from bad weather and prevents the white flowers from rusting. Spare it the eastern exposure that the winter sun heats up too quickly after a cold night.

The best substrate

Acid (pH around 6), fresh, drained and fertile! If your soil is calcareous or neutral, make a special pit and line the bottom with a garden felt or plant in a pot. Beware of pure heather soil, too light and too poor. Improve it with as much humus. In pots, give some body to the substratum by incorporating a clay soil of the rose type.

Safe planting

Soak the root ball of the camellia well before planting to hydrate it. The planting hole should be equal to twice the volume of the root ball, wider than it is deep because the roots are superficial. Improve drainage by placing a layer of clay balls at the bottom of the hole (not white gravel, limestone!!).

Some precautions in pots 

The camellia can live for many years in a pot if it is at least 35-40 cm in diameter. At the beginning of each spring, replace 5 cm of the surface with a brand new substrate. The pot allows you to enjoy perfect flowers if you can shelter them from cold and bad weather in a greenhouse or an unheated veranda (5 to 10°C).

Its Achilles heel!

The superficial roots are sensitive to drought and cold. The best solution: mulch with a good bed of dead leaves or grass clippings depending on the season.

Water with care 

Keep the substrate fresh all year long by watering regularly with non-calcareous water. Camellia fears drought as much as excess water that suffocates the roots. Don't forget to water in winter, especially if it is in a pot or placed under a roof edge.

Well nourished 

Regular mulching with organic matter enriches the soil. Complete with a spring application of fertilizer 'Plants of heathland' to boost the growth and the formation of future flower buds.

To prune or not ?

Pruning is not necessary except to remove diseased or cold-damaged parts. Prune after the camellia blooms when it is no longer freezing. Regularly clean the faded flowers of those that do not lose them naturally. Watch out for future buds that form very early. You can give a new look to the slightly gangly subjects by pruning them short, but do not count on flowers the following winter!