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The Irish woodland: native groundcovers

'Native' plants are ones which are indigenous to this island. Groundcover plants form the lowest level of the woodland and include ferns, grasses and flowering plants, and this scheme would grow happily under any of our tree or shrub collections. The groundcovers we have chosen should form a very low maintenance cover which evokes the forest floor, whether you live in the city, suburb or countryside. Native plants provide the ultimate in terms of habitat and food for wild creatures. Once established, they should knit together to 'do their own thing'. The small grass, Luzula sylvatica (Woodrush) has pretty evergreen blades and makes a good, spreading groundcover plant. Gallium odoratum (Woodruff) is a charming plant with lightly scented leaves and small white flowers in spring, and  Oxalis acetosella (Wood sorrel) also flowers at around this time with small, white flowers and clover-like foliage. Polystichum setiferum and Asplenium scolopendrium are two easy-to-grow ferns which thrive under cover of trees. Digitals purpurea (Foxglove) is an elegant, tall flowering plant with pruple flowers up to 1.5 m in the early summer. To complement this scheme, add some spring-flowering bulbs such as Hyacintoides non-scripta (bluebells) and Wood anemone (Anemone nemororsa).

 

Planting and maintenance:

These plants require the cover of trees, and should be planted underneath them. They should be planted into well-weeded soil - most definitely not into grass. The soil can be moist, but should not be water-logged. Ideally, it will be rich in organic matter such as rotten leaves (leaf-mould), well-rotted manure or home made garden compost. After planting, and while they establish, they should be well and regularly watered. Plants should be planted fairly close together (six or seven per square metre)  in groups or 'drifts'. The taller plants such as Digitalis (Foxgloves) should be interspersed throughout the planting, and towards the back. Once planted, mulch with organic matter as above, and keep well weeded while the plants thicken out. Gallium (Woodruff) is quite a vigorous grower and will need to be kept in check by removal if it starts to smother other plants. Alternatively, group it in one area where it is easier to control. Most of the plants, being native, will spread easily, so the most important aspect of their maintenance will be keeping them in check. Collection includes 12 each of Luzula, Gallium and Oxalis in small pots; and 6 each of Digitalis, Polystichum and Asplenium in regular 1 or 1.5L pots.

All planting schemes come with a planting list, planting instructions and ongoing maintenance advice.

 

Plants in this scheme:

Luzula sylvatica (Wood rush) x 12 Gallium ororatum (Woodruff) x 12
Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove) x 6 Oxalis acetosella (Wood sorrel) x 12
Polystichum setiferum (Soft shield fern) x 6 Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart's tongue fern) x 6

View all plants in listing....

 

Total cost,  
54
  plants:
€195.00

 

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