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Beginner Gardening Questions: Will bulbs come up through a ground cover?

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Forum: Beginner Gardening QuestionsReplies: 18, Views: 108
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donnapcollins
Memphis, TN

August 24, 2009
04:52 PM

Post #6983931

I have a flower bed with tulip, King Alfred daffodils, and bearded irises. I would like to plant something else there to fill in around the bulbs, and I don't want to have to replant each spring. I was thinking about a flowering ground cover that will only be 3" to 8" high, so it will compliment and not hide the bulb blooms. Would phlox be an appropriate ground cover, or is there something else that would be better? I am concerned about the bulbs being able to come up through the ground cover.
kwanjin
West Valley City, UT
(Zone 5a)

August 24, 2009
05:25 PM

Post #6984015

Our bulbs have no problem coming up through ground covers. Unless the gc you get is extremely dense, your's shouldn't either. We have neighbors who have planted a large assortment of bulbs in their lawn and it's beautiful in early Spring. Perennials are great and Phlox should look nice, too.

Others will come along with other suggestions.
Grantman31
West Palm Beach, FL

August 25, 2009
08:49 AM

Post #6986005

My cannas push through 3-4" of mulch - your bulbs should do fine lol...
2gonefishing
Milwaukee, WI

August 26, 2009
01:40 PM

Post #6990845

The heart of a garden is the forever growing scenery. And a garden without bulbs is not a garden. We use them everywhere right among the perennials, among the trees, etc.. The only problem we ever encountered was I believe it was 1997 the year of hot weather past 100 degrees in which bulbs, shrubs, etc.. fried. I dug down into a big bed of tulips and when I touched the bulbs they exploded. Yet right next to the tulips a lilly bed survived. I dug down to find they had gone down another 2 feet--just to survive. Did you know bulbs gather to each other? After receiving a gift of 40 plus lilly bulbs and planting as directed mixing the colors--the first several years they remained in place and then suddenly they migrated to each other--pink with pink, orange with orange. I dug down into the earth approximately 3 1/2 feet--the bulbs sent long runners underground just to be next to the same color! Nature is truly amazing! And the unexplained even more amazing. I like to call this the "Bolder Theory" as someone on this great planet - the scientist are trying to explain the phenomenon of rocks actually moving close together--even after they separate them! Amazing! Ooops! Getting back to the question--bulbs will come up if you take action and plant--just make sure you plant them correctly and simply sit back and watch the miracle and pure joy of gardening.

"God's Garden" Wildlife Habitat 2gonefishing---keep watching Dave's forum--many questions and tips offered by "God's Garden" our 35 year celebration 2gonefishing. all stories and hints are tried and true
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

August 28, 2009
09:51 AM

Post #6997381

Donna, here is a ground cover to consider.

http://www.daytonnursery.com/encyclopedia/perennials/ceratos...
flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

August 30, 2009
11:02 PM

Post #7006922

moonhowl, you are a mind reader! I think this is what I have taking over my yard. I love it. low growing and don't have to mow. I will be posting a pic in a future forem to see for sure if this is it. I didn't plant it , just started growing and spreads fast. Love to walk on it barefoot. Just wasn't sure if it would die in the winter. You definately have a gift girl.
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

August 31, 2009
07:45 AM

Post #7007670

It is sturdy and offers good color and not having to cut grass is a good thing...grin
Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

August 31, 2009
08:24 AM

Post #7007777

Moon is a mindreader, it's a little freaky ;) lol
Also, I wondered what happened to my purple tulips, they up and left...I guess they didn't get along with the orange ones.
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

August 31, 2009
08:43 AM

Post #7007827

Mental empathy is what my grandma called it. Just a way of picking up on things sometimes much to my children's chagrin...
Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

August 31, 2009
09:05 AM

Post #7007907

more open to others than the average bear ;)
that groundcover is really pretty...
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

August 31, 2009
09:16 AM

Post #7007940

Well I do like 'picanic baskets'...grin

It is pretty and pretty much care free and certainly nicer to look at than the persistent weeds...grin
flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

August 31, 2009
09:50 AM

Post #7008059

but will it stick around? Its even up my driveway, don't have to mow the driveway anymore lol Just started this year that I noticed
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

August 31, 2009
09:54 AM

Post #7008085

Yes Ma'am, it is a perennial and should give you some nice leaf color in the fall. Did you have to mow the driveway before???inquiring minds wanna know...grin
flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

August 31, 2009
10:09 AM

Post #7008168

yes it beat buying more gravel lol
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

August 31, 2009
10:24 AM

Post #7008221

I hear ya...grow plumbago grow...grin
flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

August 31, 2009
10:29 AM

Post #7008249

the thing is the neighbors don't have it. (sure they will by next year oops). The only thing I can figure is got a bag of grass seed last year and threw it out must have been in it.
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

August 31, 2009
10:41 AM

Post #7008298

Just consider it a gift from the the little hillfolk,,,grin
flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

August 31, 2009
06:24 PM

Post #7009910

can't wait to post mine to let ya look and see. Daughter in law took the pics and are gonna send them via e-mail. Just have to remember how to move em around.
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

August 31, 2009
06:47 PM

Post #7009970

Looking forward to it.

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