Trimming and Maintaining Ground Covers for a Tidy Landscape

Edging

Many ground covers spread beyond their allotted area. If they spread by underground stems or by rooting along stems touching soil, control them by trimming edges with pruning shears, hedge shears, or a rotary mower. If growth is significantly out of bounds, dig out the overreaching portions. Installing a permanent barrier of wood, brick, stone, or concrete saves future hand edging. Ensure the barrier extends deeper than the plant's root depth to prevent creeping underneath.

Pruning

Some shrubby ground covers (e.g., cotoneaster) occasionally send out upright stems that spoil the planting's evenness. Cut these back to their point of origin or to a horizontally growing lateral within the foliage mass. Woody ground covers like junipers and cotoneasters planted too close to paths require frequent pruning, which often ruins their shape—better to replace them with more suitable plants.

Mowing

Ground covers that root as they spread or spread by underground stems to form dense patches may become so thick and matted that only mowing restores their looks. Ivy (Hedera) accumulates thatch beneath foliage; winter creeper (Euonymus) and Aaron's beard (Hypericum) may become rangy. Mow just before the growing season starts, using a heavy-duty power mower set at 3 to 4 inches. Then fertilize to encourage rapid new growth.