Knowledgebase

Native ground cover #873780

Asked June 19, 2024, 1:12 PM EDT

Hi - I’d like to replace my mulch with native ground cover. Do you have recommendations ?

New Castle County Delaware

Expert Response

Good Day and thank you for contacting Ask Extension!

You are asking about groundcovers to replace a mulched area and that is a great idea!  To help you select an appropriate plant(s) to replace the mulch we need to know a bit more about the location.  If you could let us know what type of light the area gets and the moisture level we would have a bit more to go on. 

Thanks and looking forward to hearing back from you. 

Sincerely, 
J.W. Wistermayer 
UD NCC Master Gardener
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 24, 2024, 11:38 AM EDT
Hi JW - I have a few areas I’m considering to replace mulch with groundcover:
Area 1: full sun late morning thru late afternoon. At the bottom of a sloped backyard, so moist most of the time. Wild strawberry is currently thriving here, but it spreads everywhere very quickly, so not my first choice of groundcover. 
Area 2:  early morning sun, shaded from mid afternoon on. Moisture is moderate, I do water this area ~1x a week during hot weather. I have some carpet sedum (needle stonecrop) in patches in this area, and it’s been spreading pretty well. 
Area 3:  late afternoon sun, fairly dry. I have creeping Jenny in part of this area, very slow spreading - but it was a gift from my son from Ashland summer camp way back when (he’s 34 now ), so I’ll be keeping it. This garden is in my front yard. 
Thanks in advance for your advise!  Sandy
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On Jun 24, 2024, at 11:38 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 25, 2024, 4:54 PM EDT
Hi Sandy, 

Thanks for the response. 

Here is a link to the UD's fact sheet for ground covers: 
This will give you plenty of information on installing ground covers and includes a list at the end of appropriate ground covers in Delaware. 

https://canr.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2018/03/12024154/Groundcovers.pdf

I hope this information is helpful.  Please let us know if you need further assistance by replying to this message or starting a new question. 

Thanks again for contacting us. 

Good Luck and HAPPY GARDENING!!

Regards, 
J.W. Wistermayer 
UD NCC Master Gardener

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 05, 2024, 10:05 AM EDT
Thanks so much for the info and new ideas regarding ground covers. Sandy

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On Jul 5, 2024, at 10:05 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied July 14, 2024, 5:12 PM EDT

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