Groundcover - General Information
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  I’m interested in ground covers. I picked up an article about them and there were several mentioned that I am not familiar with. The ones that I am interested in are Geranium species, Thyme, Campanula and Helianthemum. Can you tell me if these would work in Conway, and if so, where can I find them?

  I am assuming you are looking for a ground cover in the sun. Of the plants mentioned, thyme and perennial geranium should be easy to find at most local nurseries and should grow well for us. The thyme needs plenty of sun and a well drained soil. There are numerous varieties but they are all low ground-hugging plants. With thyme, you can double dip–grow them for their beauty as a groundcover, and harvest to use in your cooking. The geraniums are commonly called cranesbill geranium, and would need a little afternoon shade if possible. They also can grow a bit taller than what is typically considered a ground cover. The helianthemum needs a well-drained, alkaline soil, and one that is low in fertility. You would need to add lime to grow this well. The campanula can grow in Arkansas, but it would need more shade, since it would cook in the hot summer weather. I would not consider it a long-lived perennial–two or three years is probably tops for us.

  I have 13 mature oak trees in my yard which create about 75% deep shade. The different grasses we have tried have all been unsatisfactory. Can you recommend a ground cover that might thrive yet still permit the annual ordeal of leaf removal/disposal?

  All ground covers are going to be a bit more difficult to rake than a lawn would be. My recommendation is to use a blower and blow the leaves to the edge and then get rid of them. You have several options for ground covers. If you want something that looks somewhat like a lawn, consider mondo grass–Ophiopogon. Vinca, ivy, ajuga and wintercreeper Euonymus would also work.

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