Mass plantings of easy care perennials are great for new gardens because just a few can fill plenty of space. In established landscapes, linking individual shrubs into larger beds with flowering ground covers dramatically cuts down on tedious mowing and trimming edges.

The best ground covers for smaller spaces are those that have a long season of bloom but typically need light trimming or deadheading after the first flush to keep the flowers coming. Keeping these plants in manageable patches simplifies maintenance because you can reach all of the plants from outside of the bed. To fill a large space, you need a ground cover that will do much of the work for you.

There are many good options: substantial clumpers that stretch widely in all directions, ground-hugging creepers with stems that readily take root where they rest on the soil, or spreaders that produce new plants from wide-ranging roots.

Here are some ideas to consider:

Geraniums are repeat bloomers that clump. Geraniums get 12 to 18 in height and take full sun to partial shade. Sedum is a fast spreader and clumps, so is great for large areas. Evergreen in our climate, it spreads gently to produce dense, 2-inch-tall carpets of lightly scalloped leaves. Full sun with dry soil is best for ample bloom.

Isotoma and Corsican Mint are a great choice for between pavers to create a garden path. Blue Star Creeper (Pratia pedunculata) is bright green and nearly stemless with quarter inch leaves. It blooms in late spring and summer and forms a backdrop of equally tiny, star-shaped pale blue flowers. It is good in full sun with reasonably rich and well drained soil. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii) is a Mediterranean native that spreads rapidly by underground stems. Although it can be invasive, it would be perfect as an aromatic filler between stepping stones. Tiny, round, and bright green leaves give this plant a mossy appearance. It bears tiny, tubular light purple flowers in summer.

Meyer Lemon History & Lore

Meyer lemon is the probably the most popular of all the citrus. A favorite of chefs and gourmets, it is slightly sweeter than the classic commercial varieties (Eureka and Lisbon). Its soft skin develops an orange hue when fruit is fully ripe, and its distinctive, mystical flavor combines lemon with a hint of tangerine. It is easy to grow, compact, and notoriously prolific in its blooming and fruiting. The tree often flowers twice a year, such that both fruit and flowers can be present all year long. What's more, it does not need a lot of heat to ripen the fruit. For these reasons and many more, the Meyer lemon makes a lovely addition to any environment.

Wegman’s features Orbit Irrigation Products, one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of irrigation products. For over 30 years Orbit has set the standard in the irrigation industry by creating innovative and easy-to-use products

Drip watering is similar to a regular lawn sprinkler system, in that there are sprinklers, tubing, and oft times a timer. The difference is that drip watering is more gentle and efficient - specifically designed for plants that are more delicate and require less water. The best part about drip watering, though, is that it’s so easy. In one Saturday, you can go to Wegman’s and buy some tubing, emitters (mini-sprinklers), and a timer. By mid afternoon, you can have a system set up that will give all of your plants the exact amount of water that they need (no more drowning!) and the best part is that the system can turn on by itself! Set up your system today!

Name: Stephanie Wegman

Position at Wegman's: Cashier

Hobbies: Snowboarding, waterskiing & laughing

Favorite Food: Sopes from Mar y Ter

Favorite Plant or flower: Gerber Daisy

Favorite garden center product: The Racquet Zapper

Steffie's message to you: "Come in and say hi, I would love to meet you!!"