Complementary groundcover
Moderator: needmore
Complementary groundcover
I'm considering growing groundcover in my bamboo hedge (contained by the ever-popular rhizome barrier) and would like to get some ideas/comments and other suggestions as to what to plant.
Currently, I'm considering lawn chamomile (Anthemis nobilis ?Treneague?) as it seems to attract ladybirds and that should take care of any aphid problems I may encounter.
I've also heard that clover enriches the soil by supplementing nitrogen through its roots. Anyone knows this for a fact?
Feel free to chime in with any ideas....anything at all...
Adrian.
Currently, I'm considering lawn chamomile (Anthemis nobilis ?Treneague?) as it seems to attract ladybirds and that should take care of any aphid problems I may encounter.
I've also heard that clover enriches the soil by supplementing nitrogen through its roots. Anyone knows this for a fact?
Feel free to chime in with any ideas....anything at all...
Adrian.
RE: Complementary groundcover
In my Nigra grove I have Hakonechloa macra 'AllGold' growing. The nigra culms are all pruned up to expose the culms and it is a nice contrast with the Hakonechloa. As far as clover being turned into nitrogen, I am not sure. I know the roots of peas are a nitrogen fixing machine and I use them as a "green " cover crop.
-
- Posts: 959
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 1:34 pm
- Location info: 0
- Location: Wisconsin, USA zone 4b;
1951: -37*F;
1996: -29*F;
2005: -10*F;
2006: -17*F;
2007: -17*F.
RE: Complementary groundcover
Clover is also a legume. I don't know if it produces a surplus of nitrogen but it certainly gets plenty enough for itself. Seems like a good idea as long as the clover doesn't steal too much moisture from the ground. If you can water during dry spells then it should work. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixation
--Mike
RE: Complementary groundcover
Hey, I had a similar sort of question a while ago. I got some nice photos & plant suggestions in reply.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load ... 232.html?9
Also, here is a photo of my one successful plant under a bamboo, lirope muscari 'big blue':
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load ... 232.html?9
Also, here is a photo of my one successful plant under a bamboo, lirope muscari 'big blue':
RE: Complementary groundcover
Yeah, nice in theory. A legume to fix nitrogen into the bamboo. But the problems are
1. bamboo shade
2. competive root system
What kind of clover are we talking about? I would imagine white clover would be a rice krispie treat in those conditions. But of course, Germany is cooler and wetter than the arid, hot regions of West iowa, in which I experience the hot coals of clover.
magsc21 does have a good link. Essentially the same question.
1. bamboo shade
2. competive root system
What kind of clover are we talking about? I would imagine white clover would be a rice krispie treat in those conditions. But of course, Germany is cooler and wetter than the arid, hot regions of West iowa, in which I experience the hot coals of clover.
magsc21 does have a good link. Essentially the same question.
RE: Complementary groundcover
Thanks for all the links.
The nitrogen fixing ability of clover has me intrigued and I guess I'll just have to grow a patch of clover in a part of the hedge to see if the bamboo likes the company. Nothing like a little experiment in the garden I say....
The nitrogen fixing ability of clover has me intrigued and I guess I'll just have to grow a patch of clover in a part of the hedge to see if the bamboo likes the company. Nothing like a little experiment in the garden I say....
- needmore
- Posts: 5008
- Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2005 9:14 pm
- Location info: 0
- Bamboo Society Membership: ABS - America
- Location: Kea'au, HI
RE: Complementary groundcover
Clover is one of the more common 'items' I regularly pull from my groves, so I am certain that the 2 get along just fine, I personally like the look of no ground cover with my timber species otherwise I'd surely leave the clover.
Brad Salmon, zone 12B Kea'au, HI
http://www.needmorebamboo.com
http://www.needmorebamboo.com
- bambooweb
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1583
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
- Location info: 1
- Bamboo Society Membership: ABS - America
- Location: Zone 5 in WA State
- Contact:
RE: Complementary groundcover
A short "clover" that seems to grow well with bamboo is Black Medic.
http://www.weedalert.com/weed_pages/wa_blackmedic.htm
Remember with legumes to inoculate the seed with the correct nitrogen fixing bacteria. There are different strains for different groups of plants.
Bill
http://www.weedalert.com/weed_pages/wa_blackmedic.htm
Remember with legumes to inoculate the seed with the correct nitrogen fixing bacteria. There are different strains for different groups of plants.
Bill
RE: Complementary groundcover
Also, one could use groundcover bamboo in a timber bamboo grove with shrub bamboo in the mix, also.
- Jeff: Igor's Apprentice
- Posts: 1196
- Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:44 am
- Location info: 0
- Location: SW NORTH CAROLINA Zone 7
RE: Complementary groundcover
"complementary groundcover"?!?!?!?!! BEWARE of foliage that flatters!
http://umsis.miami.edu/~jrichar1/james/ ... ls0023.jpg
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/ ... 0_3469.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
http://umsis.miami.edu/~jrichar1/james/ ... ls0023.jpg
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/ ... 0_3469.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
Last edited by Jeff: Igor's Apprentice on Sun Nov 19, 2006 5:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Jeff: Igor's Apprentice
- Posts: 1196
- Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:44 am
- Location info: 0
- Location: SW NORTH CAROLINA Zone 7
RE: Complementary groundcover
Of possible nitrogen fixing plants, I wonder how Ceanothus americanus would hold its own. I've read that it is deep rooted and drought tolerant, so it may be able to compete. Needs part soon.
http://umsis.miami.edu/~jrichar1/james/ ... ls0023.jpg
http://umsis.miami.edu/~jrichar1/james/ ... ls0023.jpg