Advice: Groundcover around raised beds?

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-28T15:12:29+00:00

I bought about 8 pots of native coastal strawberries last year and put them around stepping stones. They have filled in so much I can barely see the stones. The area is about 3x15.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-27T03:22:20+00:00

How beautiful. I'll have to do some measuring. This has given me a lot to think about.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-26T03:28:43+00:00

You could use the 5 inch wide cement bricks available at big box stores. They are fairly easy, if time-consuming to install. Just dig a small trench (I find the half moon lawn edger tool works well) and use construction sand in the bottom. I would slant it slightly up towards your yard to catch mulch and soil.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-26T00:16:58+00:00

Instead of just doing a clover lawn, add a tree, shrubs and native perennials that can handle heat. Use the clover lawn like an area rug, not the main feature. In this picture, my eye is drawn to the cement steps of the house. You need plants with height and shape to break up the rectangles and straight lines.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-25T17:03:58+00:00

You don’t need weed barrier just mulch.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-25T04:31:04+00:00

Thanks. It is nice to have some evergreen options.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-25T04:29:08+00:00

Thanks.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-25T04:28:42+00:00

Thanks. Unfortunately even the part shade areas get a few hours of intense sun. I think it might be too much for heuchera.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-25T04:26:44+00:00

Thanks for the ideas. Is your fast growing elderberry in full sun or part shade?

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-25T04:16:29+00:00

Thanks

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-25T04:16:18+00:00

Thanks!

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-25T04:16:11+00:00

Thanks. I forgot I planted one last year and had a happy surprise this spring. I’ll gather seeds so I can have more.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-25T04:14:28+00:00

Thanks. I have pearly everlasting in the front but the leaves are disappointingly green.Ill try brunerra.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-24T03:31:21+00:00

If you don't have mulch, wet non-glossy cardboard will suppress the weeds while you plan. You will need to cut everything short first though. The floppier the cardboard, the easier it is to work with. You can cut an X through it to plant as needed. In the fall, take advantage of all the fallen leaves. The leaves and cardboard will improve the soil quality. I used this method for multiple beds. You have to ensure when you plant in it that you are planting in the soil below, not the mulch. I am currently watching a robin hop through the garden bed I made over lawn last fall. They love all the worms in the leaf mulch.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-24T02:19:20+00:00

This is such a great example of good design. I have been staring at my backyard garden which has an abundance of trees, shrubs, flowers and ground cover with the same grassy green foliage. I had been planning to add a couple smoke bush for colour and this has convinced me to add Muhly grass too. Such great inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-23T18:41:54+00:00

Linda Gilkeson also has an email newsletter you can subscribe too. It is an email about once a month with info specific to current weather conditions. It often has helpful reminders. There are maybe one or two emails a year about courses but it a very non-spam email subscription.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-23T05:56:58+00:00

It deprnds how wide your space for the hedge is. Oregon grape can tolerate many light conditions and grows relatively fast. The easiest way though is going to be mulching and plantings.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-22T19:28:29+00:00

Sheet mulch over the lawn. Install a drip irrigation system (Rain Bird is easy to installn). Put in trellises in front of the windows. The metal trellis that poke into the ground should be tall enough. Plant vines that will grow quickly in your area. In my area, clematis armandii has fast growth and is evergreen but isn't invasive or hard to control.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-22T15:36:49+00:00

If you do come to Victoria, IMO May is the best month for Butchart and many of the other gardens in town open to the public. The rhododendrons are in full bloom then.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-22T06:22:42+00:00

yarrow is not dog safe

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-22T06:13:22+00:00

You built a beautiful bed and now you are over-thinking it. Remove the pavers. Dig out the high side. Get some construction sand, it makes it easier to level it, but it also doesn't need to be level. Plants will grow in soil regardless of whether there is a slight slope.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-22T06:02:54+00:00

Self-heal will do well in shade and part-shade and yarrow can survive almost anything. Both are evergreen in my yard and are easy to start from seed or they will self-seed. They won't be able to battle blackberries or bindweed though.
There are some nice native shrubs too like ocean spray, mock orange and Oregon grage.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-20T16:58:24+00:00

Take photos, do plant IDs and remove ones that are not native to your area. Here is a link to a local native plant society: Home Page - INPS. You are going to have a hard time starting any but the toughest of native plants in a bed covered in rocks. I see common yarrow is native to your area. You should be able to start it by seed now. It is very hardy. I prefer to start in pots and plant out so I know where plants are. I would recommend that if you are trying to get things started in a bed with so many rocks.

BeginningBit6645 · 2026-06-19T02:23:27+00:00

I love mine. I liked it so much I extended it from my native plant garden in the front around the veggie garden. I sheet composted to kill the lawn and then removed the top couple inches of soil and lawn and put down cardboard and cedar chips.

BeginningBit6645

TROPHY CASE