Looking for the ultimate spreading flower / maybe even a weed

[lizzylemon]

Suggestions please.

I'm looking for a lowing spreading flowering plant that's really hardy (low water, clay type soil) and extremely vigarous(sp).

Basically I have hedging out the front of the house, which is considered communal by the Housing Association. It's pretty inhospitable (even the Gorse is struggling this year). The soil is very dry, very weedy, gets sunlight all day long and exposed to strong wind on a very regular basis.

They've planted native hawthorn and sloe bushes which I am slowly shaping into a hedge, but what I need is something to plant under the hedge that will spread quickly, look nice and strangle the weeds. It could even be another weed, just not the semi-prickly dandelion type ones that are running wild now.

It probably doesn't exist, but ideas would be very welcome.

[veggiechicken]

You probably want evergreen as well so that narrows it down even more! What about a variegated leaf ivy? Not a flower but a good weed suppressor and ground cover.

[Bigmallly]

For a low spreading flowering plant, I think Aubretia takes some beating or maybe Periwinkle.

[singleseeder]

Geranium? I've been digging out sqaure metres of this.

It spreads into a dense mat and once established, weeds would find it hard to get a grip.

Ask on Freecycle for anyone who is cutting theirs' back and put cuttings in at 12'' spacing. It will spread and meet up within a year.

You can get several different shades of pink/mauve/purple.

[FionaH]

You could try Vinca

[chris]

What's that ground cover, evergreen - purple flowers....

It's ALL over my front.

*thinking cap on*

[chris]

Not sure - think it might be campanula? I'll ask my neighbour tonight It's spreading around our front like wildfire... It's covered out all weeds where it is too

[Two_Sheds]

the semi-prickly dandelion type

That sounds like prickly sow thistle? My guinea pigs LOVE sow thistle (I guess there's a clue in the name)

My idea is ~ vinca (periwinkle) same as Fi

[Glutton4...]

My first thought was Vinca, too, but it can be slow to establish, and will encroach either side (but so will most things). A variegated Ivy would be good, but will climb and damage the hedge. I spend hours removing it from Customers' garden hedges. Cranesbill Geranium would be one of my choices, but it will die back in winter. What about one of the Clover family? Good luck!

[singleseeder]

Re geranium dying back; mine doesn't seem to. It does get fresh blowsy growth in the spring before the flowers but it still had enough to cover the ground over the winter. Even last year under all that snow.

If you cut it back after the flowers, you usually get a second flush too.

[Two_Sheds]

Cranesbill Geranium ...but it will die back in winter.

So does the sow thistle, so I think you're on a winner there.

Geranium it is

[ladylottie]

What about Lily of the Valley?

[VirginVegGrower]

Talking of Geranium, I would vouch for this and Johnsons Blue is a beauty!

[Bren In Pots]

My neighbour has London Pride (Saxifraga) in their garden its tough, spreads well and has pretty pink flowers.

[chris]

My first thought was Vinca, too, but it can be slow to establish, and will encroach either side (but so will most things). A variegated Ivy would be good, but will climb and damage the hedge. I spend hours removing it from Customers' garden hedges. Cranesbill Geranium would be one of my choices, but it will die back in winter. What about one of the Clover family? Good luck!

Just looked this up - that's the one we have in our front garden that's shared.