Episode 153: The Cover Up Retrospective (Part 1)

Image by Jean Thomas

This Cover Up Retrospective (Part 1) is a series of previously aired short segments focused on ground covers and vines. We’ve packaged them together for your easier access. Featuring Master Gardener Volunteers, Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas, it focuses on some of their favorite plants that do well to ‘cover up’ rock walls, trellises, as well as the ground. As with all plants, their beauty and functionality vary based on the eye of the individual gardener. This episode includes three of these segments.

The first focuses on Ajuga and Trumpet Vine. Jean starts off with a discussion on ajuga, also commonly known as bugle weed. A relative of the mint family, the speed of its lateral spread is based on light conditions, but its foliage provides its ‘star’ quality. Tim then talks about trumpet vine which can be aggressive, even though it is not ‘invasive’. Just make sure to plant it to enjoy its showy blooms on a strong structure or rock wall. It needs sun but is drought tolerant and deer resistant. Hummingbirds love it as well as bees and the sphinx moth.

The second segment features two wild strawberry plants and scarlet runner beans. Tim loves the ever green and versatile wild strawberry which spreads with runners and feeds multiple birds and other wildlife. But he also likes the barren strawberry which has yellow flowers inedible fruit, and spreads via rhizomes. One of Jean’s favorite vines in the scarlet runner bean, an annual that arrived in the US with the pilgrims. If deer visit your garden, make sure the fence this plant so that you get a chance to enjoy it.

The third segment is all about the color ‘coral’. Heuchera (a.k.a. coral bells) is a hummingbird favorite ground cover with its graceful flowers, but it is really loved for its foliage that is available in multiple colors. There are 35 species of heuchera in the USA, so there is bound to be one just right for your garden. Coral honeysuckle is native to the southern US, but hardy in our NY zones A sun lover, it can grow up to 20 feet long producing red/orange flowers. It is even deer and rabbit resistant with lots of birds enjoying its red fruit. Just make sure not to confuse it with the invasive bush honeysuckle variety.

Until next time!

Host: Jean Thomas

Guests: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Photo by: Jean Thomas

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Jean Thomas