Cut back ground cover - isn't that superfluous? In many cases yes, but not in some other, horticulturally demanding cases. You can find out when and how a ground cover should be trimmed in the following article.
Sometimes it makes sense to keep ground covers in check
When ground covers need pruning
Ground covers are only too happy to be used as ornamental greenery for areas that you don't want to take care of - and in many cases it's an excellent solution. However, this applies above all to independent areas, free embankments or naturally delimited areas under trees.
However, if a ground cover is to take on a task that is a bit more demanding in terms of garden design and shape and structure, it naturally also requires more care work. This includes, above all, the pruning.
Another reason to use the scissors with ground cover is simply the decimation, which is necessary in particular with particularly vigorous and encroaching varieties such as ivy or Günsel to prevent neighboring beds from overgrowing.
Finally, pruning of ground covers may also be necessary to assist in their mundane task of weed inhibition. At times, if left entirely to its own devices, growth can become a bit patchy. A regular cut can compact the new growth in a controlled manner and close the plant cover more homogeneously for effective weed displacement.
The main reasons for pruning ground covers are:
- Bringing into shape for demanding ornamental plantings
- Preventing Overspreading
- Compaction for more effective weed control
What to consider when pruning
If you use ground cover for a well-structured, orderly planting of beds or graves, pruning is the most necessary - of course depending on how accurate you want to keep the contours of individual cushions. However, you should not exceed four pruning cuts per year. With such frequent interventions, you should also fertilize regularly - preferably with organic fertilizer such as compost or horn shavings.(32.93€)
Ground cover plants that quickly form runners, such as Ysander, Pennywort or Günsel, must be stopped again and again by cutting them off at the edges of the plant carpet - that means cutting off their growth network together with the roots with a spade.
In order to improve the weed control of a ground cover, such as periwinkle, you should regularly control the growth at the plant bases by shortening long shoots that are white on the outside. This will encourage the plant to sprout further inward and gradually thicken.