Native Ground Covers for Healthy Garden and Wildlife Habitat
The ground layer is often a forgotten part of the garden. Native ground covers can significantly support the rest of the garden ecosystem while creating valuable habitat for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.
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Episode 23: Native Ground Covers
Ground covers are an essential part of any garden ecosystem, but they are often overlooked. What happens at ground level can influence soil health, temperature, moisture, insects, wildlife, and the overall functioning of the garden.
In this episode, I explore how ground covers contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem and introduce some native ground-cover plants that can be incorporated into Southwest gardens.
Plants Mentioned in This Episode
- Trailing windmills — Allionia incarnata
- Hairy five-eyes — Chamaesaracha sordida
- Sand bells — Nama hispidum
- Winecups — Callirhoe involucrata
- California fuchsia (Zauschneria) — Epilobium canum (formerly Zauschneria californica)
- Gregg’s dalea — Dalea greggii
- Silver ponyfoot — Dichondra argentea
- Frogfruit — Phyla nodiflora
- Cherry skullcap — Scutellaria suffrutescens