{Disarmed} Re: Living Mulches for Siberians

I'm not too keen on the idea of living mulches for irises, in part because I struggle to keep ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) under control. However, if I decided to go that route, the first plant I would try would be barrenwort (Epimedium).
 
Disadvantages are that it is expensive, slow growing and a little taller than may be appropriate for shorter cultivars.
 
Advantages are that is an effective weedblock, has shallow roots that should not compete with the roots of the iris and will be quite happy undisturbed for many years.
 
Barrenwort is listed as a shade plant, but it does well for me in part sun as do Siberians in my Zone 6-7 garden. Considering that both Siberians and epimediums take a while to establish and are quite happy without moving for many years, it may just be a marriage made in heaven. I may actually try it next year, since I have enough to dig and it's time to rebuild a Siberian bed.
 
Dennis Hager
on Delmarva
   
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 1:34 AM
Subject: [sibrob] Living Mulches for Siberians

I tried something different this year and overplanted the whole of my Siberian/Lily bed with moss rose (using an entire ounce of seed). I was inspired to do this because of all the purslane that kept growing rampantly in the bed and figured that since moss rose and purslane are both in the portulaca family, the moss rose (usually considered as a plant for poor stony, sandy, dry soil) might work as a living mulch for the siberians.  Did it ever work!  I now have an almost solid expanse of moss rose surrounding each of the Siberian plantings (and the feet of the lilies) and now starting to bloom (in multi-colors) just as the Siberians are finishing up. This promises to keep the bed in full color from now until frost. I know some might find this garish, but it works for me.
 
What do other members of the robin use as companion plants/living mulches with their Siberians?
 
Best Regards,
Arthur
 

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