I had the pleasure of planting a garden in TEXAS this past January, something totally different for my GARDENS4U business located here in Ottawa, Ontario. I learned fast that Texas gardens have their own issues.

Extreme Drought in Texas Gardens

Extreme drought and heat are at the top of the list of what these gardens have to deal with.  I chose a variety of succulents and cacti for the focal points of this garden as well as the ground cover between the larger plants.  As the ground cover fills in, weeds are choked out and both the roots of the specimen plantings and the soil are protected from the extreme temperatures and drought conditions…

Container Plantings

Ground covers also work well in containers for the same reasons.  Because the soil in containers dries out faster than soil in a garden, the use of ground covers can reduce the amount of water your containers need to stay healthy looking.  Nutrients in the soil are depleted slower too when the soil is protected.  Planted just inside the rim of the container, the ground covers can “spill” over the edge and cascade down the side of the container, creating a beautiful focal point for your patio, deck, or porch…