Monday, February 1, 2010

Beautiful Purple Flower "Ground Huggers"

There are groundcovers and there are what I call “ground huggers”. The ground huggers are the carpets of the garden. The tighter and lower a groundcover hugs the ground, the less chance a weed can sprout. I mulch these xeric plants with gravel. The natural limestone holds a bit of moisture making an ideal culture for these lovely purples.

 

purple  ground covers 

At about 11 o-clock you can see Globularia cordifolia dwarf. It’s flowers are little puple pom poms.  In the middle you can see a prickly ball which is, Prickly Dianthus, Acantholimon  hohenackeri. Blooming up front is Bressingham Thyme 

 

 purple grown cover

 The lovely, larger purple flower is: Silky Rock Jasmine, androsace primula "chumby"

 putziers 50th 2007 and gloria pictures garden 100

 This is a view from the back garden. On the left you’ll notice  the purple kool-aid scented Variegated Iris.  Next to it our native white Penstemon Grandiflorus. Up close on the right side is a Meadow Rue, Thalicturm .  The fragrant purple rose is Reine de Violettes.  But the “star” of the post is the Lavender Thyme (thymus preacox skorpilii)  growing in between the pink limestone path.  The Lavender Thymes started with two or three tiny plants.  It is a delight.

 

spring 08 -2

I previously did a post on this 33 Foot Long Arbor. The beautiful purple ground cover is  Blue Wooley Speedwell,  veronica pectinata,

17 comments:

  1. Most of your purple ground huggers would probably melt out in our summers, I'll have to research them all (perhaps in vain). I DO have that purple rose and it is very happy here, growing in every direction.

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  2. Just lovely -- and my favorite color, too. :) How long do they flower? Do you have some blooms in the ground cover throughout the summer?

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  3. Oh Gloria,
    I am in love with your garden....I like how the purple flowers of the groundcovers contrast so nicely with the gray-blue foliage. I am speechless with wonder at how beautiful the walk underneath your arbor is :^0

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  4. Dear Gloria, What lovely colour combinations and such a practical solution for paving which is often so difficult to keep weed free.

    I particularly liked your picture of the underplanting to the arbour - most appealing and inviting. I think from what you show us of your garden that you have an excellent sense of colour.

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  5. As a fellow purple lover I adore the purple groundcovers. Thanks for this touch of summer for my winter weary eyes.

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  6. Gloria, just looking at these pictures makes me happy. Of course I would be happier, if I could find a sunny spot in my garden and "copy" you. I can just imagine how lovely it must smell.

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  7. It's such a romantic and well designed garden. Love the blues.

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  8. I love the varieties of ground covers you have. I wish my path was in more sun so I could use some of your ideas! I love all that purple.

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  9. I totally love the details of your garden. It makes me smile to see them. :)

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  10. HI Gloria

    I love the colours you have chosen for your hugging ground cover - they look incredible set below that wonderful arbour of yours.

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  11. I love the blue and purple combination around your path. Your garden is very interesting with the paths and beautiful! Love it!!

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  12. Your walk is fantastic. I am trying to achieve a similar effect in my lady garden. I have planted various ground covers amongst the stepping stones. My dream is someday it may be as beautiful as yours!

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  13. The walkway looks amazing. It's fantastic to see how the purple adds to the atmosphere of the garden path there... well done.

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  14. Your purples are gorgeous...I love the layout of your gardens. I have some purple thyme that wanders around certain 'cracks' in my path to the side of the house, but nothing else seems to live long in the crevices. In the spring and fall when we add extra mulch, we usually sweep it into the crevices of the path. Hadn't thought of throwing in some gravel! Perhaps that is an option I should try.

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  15. Hi Gloria,

    I just sent you a message on BLotanical asking what Zone you were in. But now I see! Sorry!
    I am just in-love with Veronica, ground cover. It is a constant in my garden as well. Your pathways are beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration you give me to keep plugging on!
    Rosey

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  16. What beautiful groundcovers! Not to mention a gorgeous garden. I've never been to South Dakota but clearly I am missing something (except for snow, these days). Thanks for visiting me at Blotanical and introducing me to your garden and blog.

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  17. Wow Gloria, beautiful ground huggers, the colours blend together beautifully. Your covered walkway is absolutely stunning! :) Rebecca

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