Newbie needs a few ideas for some type of ground covering?

hillysuze

I am a newbie home owner and I know it may be late in the season but thought I'd reseach a little.

I live outside of Pittsburgh (don't know what region code that is for plants nor am I good with plant names or have a green thumb sadly) and our front yard has a pretty good slope to the retaining wall. Its getting to the point where DH worries about his safety while mowing the grass and wanted to look into some type of ground covering.

I have no idea what I want. I know there is that piney stuff that grows wild but we don't like the looks of that type of plant. What can we get that we don't have to worry about the structure of our retaining wall (railroad ties) but may be enough coverage so mowing isn't an issue? I like the idea of those dwarf trees but again, worry about the roots with the retaining wall.

TootsieK

How large an area and how tall is the retaining wall?   How much sun does it get?  How rich is the soil?  Is it a damp, normal, or dry spot?  If it's dry, will you be able to water it or will you depend on rain?   How high do you want the groundcover to grow?

You could choose an evergreen vine like vinca, or a low-growing evergreen like Siberian cypress or shrubs, mulched to keep the weed- and grass-growth under control.

 P.S.: Pittsburgh appears to be on the borderline between Zones 6 & 7.

 

ArcticFox

I have always been a fan of Pachysandra, not sure if that is the kind of thing you're looking for:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachysandra

 

hillysuze

TootsieK:

How large an area and how tall is the retaining wall?   How much sun does it get?  How rich is the soil?  Is it a damp, normal, or dry spot?  If it's dry, will you be able to water it or will you depend on rain?   How high do you want the groundcover to grow?

You could choose an evergreen vine like vinca, or a low-growing evergreen like Siberian cypress or shrubs, mulched to keep the weed- and grass-growth under control.

 P.S.: Pittsburgh appears to be on the borderline between Zones 6 & 7.

 

Sorry, guess that info would have helped. The area is full sun, clay soil, retaining wall is about 4 1/2' high, we can water with a hose.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will look into those!