| subject: Ground cover. I would like to plant a flowering ground cover on a sunny slope. That can handle a tortois walking around on it and eating it. She already has her own vegetable and fruit garden this is another area we have expanded for her. I have removed all the Ivy and tortoise proofed the area. I removed the Ivy because it attracts rats. So please nothing rats would enjoy living in. Any suggestions? |
| Plants safe for tortoises is beyond my area of expertise - you may want to check with your Vet to see if the following suggestions are safe in your yard: Aster chilensis ?Point St. George? Native Aster; A native spreading aster to 8? tall with lavender daisy flowers summer and fall. Some supplemental water in the summer keeps it blooming. Very vigorous, may be too aggressive in a watered garden setting. Attracts wildlife. Great in a container. Cotula -Leptinella pusilla ?Platt?s Black? Brass Buttons; Attractive brown Lacey foliage that forms a low mat ground cover from New Zealand. Sun to part shade. Average water. Great for small scale gardens. Unusual, spreads nicely. Dymondia margaretae; The toughest groundcover ever. Drought tolerant ground cover, tolerate much abuse once established, small great foliage, small yellow daisy flowers are not particularly showy. Best in full sun, can tolerate foot traffic once established. Need some supplemental watering in the summer. Mazus reptans 'Albus'; Excellent groundcover flowers well, this is a white form with large foliage and flowers. Good in-between steppingstones. Sun or partial shade, with regular water. Mazus reptans compactus 'Albus'; Excellent groundcover, stays tight, flowers well,, white form ins more compact. good inbetween steppingstones. Sun or partial shade, with regular water. Mazus reptans compactus 'Violet'; An excellent ground cover, from the Himalayas. The dark green leaves stay dense, with lavender violet flowers are produced all year. It?s great in-between steppingstones. Sun or partial shade, good soil with regular water. It can be divided easily. Mentha pulegium (Dwarf Pennyroyal) Mint Groundcover; A dwarf mint that can be used for culinary purposes, but more often just grown for its low tight habit, forming a dark green ground cover in the garden. Full sun or part , regular water. Smells great when planted between stepping stones. Origanum 'Betty Rollins' Dwarf Oregano; Very low growing cultivar of the culinary herb, selected in Los Angeles. It makes a beautiful mat of foliage , very nice between stepping stones adding a nice fragrance, with an added bonus of large pink flower clusters in the summer. Full sun or part shade, regular water and soil. Origanum vulgare 'Humile' Dwarf Oregano; A brand new dwarf form of the common cooking herb an extra tight habit, but with the same flavor as the traditional size. White flower clusters in the summer. Sun or part shade with regular water and soil. Cut back after bloom to keep tidy. Thymus drucei 'Minus? Dwarf Trailing Thyme; Very compact, an almost moss -like thyme, easier to grow then most. Needs full sun and good drainage. Small pink flowers are produced in the summer. Trifolium repans ?Atropurpurium? Purple Clover; A low clover groundcover from Europe. The highlight is the colorful foliage , heavily flushed with purple. Full sun or part shade, not picky about soil, but will grow faster in rich soil. Trifolium repans ?Dragon?s Blood? Dragon?s Clover; A low clover groundcover from Europe. The highlight is the colorful foliage , green silver and pink. Full sun or part shade, not picky about soil, but will grow faster in rich soil. Veronica repens ?Alba?; Bright green small scale groundcover. Small flowers are usually violet to pale lavender in the spring, this form is white. Good for use around pavers.Full sun to part shade. Grows quickly with regular water. |
