Complete Book of Ground Covers: 4000 Plants that Reduce Maintenance, Control Erosion, and Beautify the Landscape

Ground covers are not just utilitarian but also offer a diverse range of beautiful and intriguing options. They can unify a landscape, knit together plantings and hardscape, and add extra layers of beauty, dynamism, and surprise. This reference profiles over 4000 ground covers that can thrive in different conditions, making it an indispensable volume for designers, landscape architects, and serious gardeners.

Format: Hardback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 11 October 2022
Publisher: Timber Press

Ground covers are often seen as practical solutions to landscaping problems, but they can also be incredibly beautiful and diverse. With a wide range of colors, textures, and forms, ground covers can add extra layers of beauty, dynamism, and surprise to a landscape. They can also be used as a replacement for lawns, reducing our use of water, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, carbon-based fuels, and transforming a yard into a diverse habitat and food source for native insects, birds, and other wildlife.

In this comprehensive reference, nurseryman Gary Lewis profiles over 4000 ground covers that are well-suited for a variety of conditions, including shade, dry soil, heavy clay, and excess moisture. Whether you're a designer, landscape architect, or serious gardener, this indispensable volume belongs on your shelf.

Ground covers offer a wide range of benefits beyond their aesthetic appeal. They can help to reduce erosion, improve soil quality, and provide habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife. They also require less maintenance than traditional lawns, making them an attractive option for busy homeowners.

One of the most significant benefits of ground covers is their ability to reduce water usage. Lawns require a significant amount of water to maintain, especially during dry periods. Ground covers, on the other hand, are generally more drought-tolerant and can help to conserve water resources. This is particularly important in areas where water is scarce or expensive.

Ground covers can also help to improve soil quality by holding onto soil particles and preventing them from being washed away. This can help to prevent soil erosion and improve the overall health of the soil. Additionally, ground covers can help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and storing it in their roots.

In addition to their environmental benefits, ground covers can also add a touch of beauty and intrigue to a landscape. They come in a wide range of colors, textures, and forms, allowing you to create a unique and personalized look for your garden. From delicate ferns to bold and colorful sedges, there is a ground cover to suit every taste and style.

Ground covers can also be used to create a sense of privacy and seclusion in a garden. They can be used to cover unsightly areas or to create a barrier between different parts of a garden. This can be particularly useful for homeowners who want to create a private oasis in their backyard.

Another benefit of ground covers is that they can be used to create a variety of different landscape designs. They can be used to create a formal or informal look, depending on the plants chosen and the way design. They can also be used to create a layered effect, with plants of different heights and colors used to create depth and interest.

In conclusion, ground covers are a versatile and valuable addition to any garden. They offer a wide range of benefits, including reducing water usage, improving soil quality, providing habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife, and adding beauty and intrigue to a landscape. Whether you're looking to create a low-maintenance garden or a beautiful and sustainable landscape, ground covers are an excellent choice. With their wide range of colors, textures, and forms, there is a ground cover to suit every taste and style. So why not add a few ground covers to your garden today and enjoy the benefits they have to offer?

Weight: 1764g
Dimension: 224 x 285 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781604694604