The Humble Ground Cover

A ground cover plant may not have the majestic presence of a saguaro cactus or the fiery charm of a desert bird of paradise plant. Most of all, it does not rise to the line of our vision in the garden. It does not capture our attention on a facebook reel.

It rarely makes it to our gardens, but when it does, something starts to change.

The struggling soil fungi wake up to this newcomer, whose roots now form a friendly bond with them. Together, their journey across the garden soil, will create garden life and stories about those lives.

Soil bacteria find new purpose in their lives. Their rich metabolites overflow underneath the soil. Trees and shrubs send their roots to collect these treasures.

Native ground beetles and crickets notice the ground heat is now just right for their bodies. Moths and butterflies find a new playground for their caterpillars. Frogs and lizards take naps under the covers on hot, dry afternoons.

All this still unnoticed by the eyes that helped chose this low lying plant for the garden.

Then, a few months later, those eyes are rewarded.

Beautiful butterflies that seem to fly out of nowhere. Flowers seem infused with an extra tint of color from somewhere. Garden breeze lifts a hint of greenery from the ground. Eyes drift down to see that humble ground cover.