Dwarf Mondo
Grass, Ophiopogon japonicus, is an ornamental grass which grows to 4" in height and is closely related to the liriope. It is also known as Dwarf Lilyturf, Mondo Grass Dwarf and Monkey Grass.This
perennial evergreen grows in average, mediu...Read More
Japanese Honeysuckle 'Halliana', Lonicera japonica 'Halliana', is the most commonly seen Honeysuckle and is also known as Hall's Honeysuckle. It has whitish-yellow flowers with a delightful fragrance. Hall's Honeysuckles are a very fast growing plant...Read More
The Japanese Spurge plant, Pachysandra terminalis, and also known as Pachysandra, is a shrubby, evergreen ground cover which grows 8-12" high and spreads by rhizomes to form a dense carpet of rich, dark green foliage. Oval leaves (2-4" long) appear p...Read More
Japanese Spurge 'Green Carpet', Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Carpet', is an old-time ground cover plant that grows to 6-8" high with versatile uses. This evergreen is self-sustaining and always looks well. It is ideal for partly shaded or full shade...Read More
The Japanese Spurge 'Silveredge', Pachysandra terminalis 'Silver Edge', has thin silver-white margins, hence the name 'Silveredge.' This plant is a slower growing variegated form of Japanese Spurge which is an old-time ground cover plant with versati...Read More
Liriope, Liriope muscari, is also commonly called border grass and is not actually a grass but a member of the lily family,
a fact that inspires another of its common names, Lilyturf, Blue Lillyturf and Bigblue Liriope.. The dark green, ribbon-like f...Read More
The Periwinkle, Vinca minor, is also known as Trailing Myrtle, Dwarf Periwinkle and Creeping Myrtle. This species of Periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used ground covers. Trailing stems with smooth, evergreen leaves (to 1.5" long) root...Read More
The Purple Wintercreeper Euonymus, Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus', also known as Wintercreeper and Wintercreeper Eunonymus, is a dense, woody-stemmed, broadleaf evergreen plant which comes in a variety of forms. Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' (commonly...Read More
The Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a fast-growing, high-climbing vine that attaches itself with tendrils which expand, disk-like, on their tips. The deciduous leaves that radiate outward from a leaf stem, like spokes on a wheel. Ea...Read More
The Barren Strawberry', also known as Waldsteinia ternata, is a wonderful ground cover that grows in full sun to part shade and prefers normal to sandy soils. It has dark, dense, evergreen, strawberry-like foliage that forms into nice mounds with a h...Read More
The Houttuynia æChameleon PlantÆ, Houttuynia cordata, is one of the most popular ground covers around. Small white flowers appear from July to August, but sometimes hard to see because of its foliage. It is an extremely hardy ground cover and easy to...Read More
The Creeping Wire vine, Muehlenbeckia, is a vine with strongly rooting and densely intertwining stems. The roughly circular leaves are 1cm across and the white, strongly scented flowers are borne in small clusters, followed by shining black fruits.vi...Read More
The Stachys æBig Ears LambÆs EarÆ, Stachys byzantina 'Helen von Stein', is known for its soft, fuzzy, silvery green foliage. With spikes of purplish pink small flowers, it has a wonderful effect on any garden. æBig Ears LambÆs EarÆ is a little bit la...Read More
The Lamium æBeacon SilverÆ, Lamium maculatum, has beautiful oval, gray-green to silvery-white leaves with greenish margins. The short spiked clear, pale pink flowers make it a wonderful ground cover. With a plant height of 6ö and a spread of 12-24ö, ...Read More
The Lamiun,
'Golden Anniversary', Lamium maculatum, is a handsome variety without becoming invasive. The pretty pink flowers are almost eclipsed by the brilliance of the golden variegated foliage. In all but the most severe winters its foliage persis...Read More
The Lamium
'Orchid Frost', Lamium maculatum, has beautiful oval, silvery edges and bluish green foliage. The short spiked clear,
pale pink flowers make it a wonderful ground cover. With a plant
height of 6" and a spread of 18-24", Lamium 'Orchid Fros...Read More
The Lamium æPink PewterÆ, Lamium maculatum, has a beautiful display of dark green,
silvery leaves with white centers. The short spiked salmon pink
flowers make it a wonderful ground cover. With a plant height of 6ö
and a spread of 12-24ö, Lamium æPin...Read More
The Lamium
'White Nancy', Lamium maculatum, has beautiful oval, variegated silvery-white leaves with greenish margins. The short spiked white flowers make it a wonderful ground cover. Plant in a well-drained soil and do not allow it to dry out. Use ...Read More
The Liriope
'Big Blue', Lirope muscari 'Big Blue', also known as Lirope, is a grass-like foliage set with tall spikes of lavender-blue, hyacinth-like blooms in late summer.The Lirope 'Big Blue' is slow spreading. It is a very versatile ornamental gras...Read More
The Liriope, 'Spicata', also known as Lirope, is an almost indestructible plant for stubborn areas. Liriope gracefully fills those spots where nothing else will grow. Large, pale lavender flower spikes bloom in late summer, rising above arching, ever...Read More
The Liriope
'Variegated', Lirope muscari 'Variegata', also known as Lirope variegated lily-turf, is as it's name implies, a variegated border grass. The grassy foliage is edged with creamy yellow.It has purple-blue blooms, similar to grape hyacinths, ...Read More
The Lysimachia æGolden MoneywortÆ, Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea', also known as Creeping Jenny, has dime sized, wonderful evergreen and yellow veined foliage with bright yellow blooms. This easy growing Lysimachia is perfect for brightening any garde...Read More
The Moneywort 'Goldilocks', Lysimachia nummularia, also known as Creeping Jenny, displays trailing discs of greenish gold that turn-bright yellow in sun. An attention-getting groundcover that's also a superb addition to patio pots and hanging baskets...Read More
The 'Oriental Limelight', Artemisia Hybrid, is a tall grower that's great in large containers. The mounding self-branching habit makes 'Oriental Limelight' an ideal companion for many flowering plants. An aggressive grower with variegated lemon yello...Read More
The Vinca Minor 'Illumination', produces near continuous foliage changes. Spring growth emerges chartreuse then brightens to golden yellow. Each yellow leaf is edged with a grass green margin. Later in the year plants turn to cream on attractive pink...Read More
The Periwinkle 'Wojo's
Gem', Vinca Major 'Wojo's Gem', is a new selection of trailing vinca with creamy yellow centers edged and flecked with dark green. It is idstinct from Vinca 'Illumination' with larger leaves is hardy in protected spots in zone ...Read More
The Phlox æCandy StripeÆ, Phlox subulata, is an ideal ground cover with masses of tiny white flowers with a pink mid-stripe and a thick mat of semi-evergreen foliage. Blooming from April to May, it has a plant height of 6ö and a spread of 12-18ö. It ...Read More
The Phlox æEmerald BlueÆ, Phlox subulata, is an ideal ground cover with dark blue flowers and a thick mat of semi-evergreen foliage. Blooming from April to May, it has a plant height of 4-6ö and a spread of 18-24ö. It is a definite addition to any pe...Read More
The Buttered Popcorn', Ranunculus repens, is a great ground cover that vigorously spreads to 4'. Its broad finley cut leaves are silvery-green with a variegated chartreuse edge. It has delicate yellow flowers in late spring but is mostly grown for it...Read More
The Artemisia æSilver BrocadeÆ, Artemisia stelleriana, is a compact, silver-white, wooly perennial with a plant spread of 24-30ö and a height of 15ö. æSilver BrocadeÆ produces yellow flowers in early summer, (not being showy). æSilver BrocadeÆ likes...Read More
The Artemisia æSilver MoundÆ, Artemisia schmidtiana, is a wonderful soft, silky, silver-gray accent that is useful in many gardens. æSilver MoundÆ is a non-spreader and produces small yellow flowers. The foliage has wonderful fragrance. Its excellen...Read More
The Bigleaf
Periwinkle, Vinca major, is also known as Greater (rosy) Periwinkle, Big Perwinkle and Large Periwinkle. The plant is shrub-like and grows to 12" tall with trailing ascending stems; 1-3 feet long. The leaves are dark green and bigger than...Read More
AS LONG AS I can remember, I've been fascinated by wild
birds. I have to think it is their freedom of flight. Ah
yes, to come and go wherever and whenever. Birds soaring
in the wind, how grand that must be. I started feeding
birds at age 10 and really began to garden for birds when
I was 30 years old. Things began to happen as my bird
garden grew. Other wildlife besides birds began to make my
yard part of their home. Not lions, tigers and bears, oh
my, but squirrels, chipmunks and raccoons, bunnies and
other furry creatures. I figure it goes with the territory
and I have remedied most of that with baffles etc.
Other forms of winged life. Insects,
lots of different insects came a calling. Oh sure, we all
have out battles with aphids, mites and other plant
sucking and chewing bugs. However, these bugs attract
other good insects and attract more birds and even bats.
Throughout the seasons, my yard is now
home to butterflies, dragonflies, ladybugs, katydids,
praying mantis and a host of other beneficial insects. My
yard is full of life! The various movements of flight and
color. Different insect sights and sounds fill the air
from spring throughout the summer into fall.
My birds find a place to nest and
plenty of food to feed their young. I have birds doing
nose dives in the ground cover. Birds fluttering in the
shrubs to grab the protein needed to survive. There is
something special in watching a Cedar Waxwing or Tree
Swallow catching dinner on the fly. Now that is what I
call "Fast Food!" Yep, never mind the 30 minute meals for
my birds.
Frogs and toads have found a home as
well. Three different species of frogs have adopted my
little water garden. Toads help to keep the slugs and
ground insects in check.
Several insects help to pollinate the
blooms (In return, I've learned to plant several HOST
PLANTS to keep the cycle going.) The old blooms produce
seed, berries and nuts for the birds and other wildlife.
Insect larvae and eggs offer protein for my birds in the
cold winter months as well.
By offering fresh water, shelter and a
cornucopia of food, my yard always has something new in
store for me. My yard is always alive!
Planting for wildlife has paid huge
dividends for me.
What's in your yard?
Ronald Patterson WindStar Wildlife
Habitat Naturalist Michigan Certified Nurseryman Kentwood,
MI http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/
Ronald Patterson has a passion
for wildbirds. He's been feeding and caring for
birds for more then 40 years. Ron is a "Wildlife
Habitat Naturalist" and "Michigan Certified
Nurseryman." He also lectures and writes about
birds and other wildlife. His expertise and
knowledge on birds, habitats, and plants makes him
the ideal person to help you learn to garden for
birds. Ron Patterson's writes a weekly newsletter
called "Backyard Birding Tips." You can sign up
today and have Ron give you friendly and often
humorous advise on Attractting, feeding and caring
for wildlife. Go to:
http://www.backyardbirdingtips.com/
Sign up for Ron Patterson's
newsletter today and start learning from one of
America's backyard birding experts.
