When the green enclosure reaches a certain size, the earth sometimes appears bare due to a lack of plants. The roots become visible and weeds can spread. All of this can be prevented by underplanting. You can find out which plants are suitable for this and how to plant them in the following article.
Which plants are suitable for planting under a hedge?
Shade-tolerant and competitive perennials such as cotoneaster, periwinkle, fat man, fairy flower, carpet golden strawberry, Japanese sedge, Caucasian forget-me-not, lark's spur, ferns and large-flowered St. John's wort are suitable for planting under a hedge.
What are the advantages of underplanting?
You've probably noticed it on walks in the forest: In the natural environment, there is no ground that remains bare for a long time. In addition to the visual aspects, ground cover fulfills other useful tasks:
- The soil climate will improve.
- Weeds cannot spread freely.
- Less water evaporates from the soil.
- Erosion is prevented.
- Many species are bee-friendly and a valuable food source for insects.
Which plants are suitable?
The perennials for underplanting are not only satisfied with little light, but can also cope with root pressure and competition for nutrients. These green survivors include:
- Cotoneaster,
- Evergreen,
- Fat man,
- fairy flower,
- Carpet-Golden Strawberry,
- Japan sedge,
- Caucasusforget-me-not,
- Lark Spur,
- Ferns,
- Large-flowered St. John's wort.
How are ground cover plants planted correctly?
The perennials are ideally planted in late summer, as weed growth slows down at this point. They are then no longer exposed to the stress of hot summer days and still have enough time to grow until winter.
How closely you need to plant your chosen plants is usually noted on the plant label. Please remember: Fast-growing species will quickly come into competition if they are planted too closely. A little patience will be rewarded with a beautiful carpet of flowers and strong individual plants.
Planting
The undemanding underplanting requires good starting conditions.
- It is not possible to dig under the hedge. Instead, loosen the top layer of soil with a digging fork and remove all weeds.
- Enrich the soil with compost (€12.00 on Amazon) or potting soil.
- The perennials are submerged in a bucket of water until no more bubbles appear. This promotes root formation.
- Water and mulch after digging.
Tip
The hedge underplanting with aromatic wild strawberries is no longer an insider tip. Blueberries or cranberries are also very suitable for planting under the green fencing. These plants not only provide an attractive look, but also produce delicious fruits.