COVER stars

DO YOUR GARDEN A FAVOUR AND HIDE ITS BALD PATCHES WITH THESE FANTASTIC GROUNDCOVERS

Mondo grass

(Ophiopogon) An evergreen, clump-forming perennial with strappy green leaves, mondo grass is tolerant of sun, shade and drought. Dwarf mondo grows to around 30cm in height and spreads slowly to cover large areas. Black mondo prefers full sun.

Leaving your garden soil uncovered is a bit like walking around in the hot sun without a hat – you’re asking for trouble. Bare soil is a magnet for weeds. The wind can deposit seeds in your garden or they can be dropped by birds. Topsoil brought in from elsewhere, and potted plants, can also contain weed seeds.

Weeds are only part of the problem with exposed ground, however. It also dries out very quickly and will erode easily in windy conditions. Covering the soil with mulches such as bark, shredded pine and pea straw is a good interim solution, but these need to be replaced eventually. A better option is a living mulch, also known as a groundcover.

Cape daisy