Pamela,

Your lilies are absolutely gorgeous! I very much enjoyed seeing them!

You mention you have lily of valley.  Keep in mind that it can be very aggressive invading areas you do not want it.

As for ground covers, there are benefits from using ground covers as mulch.  They are often called living mulch. They are good at suppressing weeds although some may pop up as well as being good at controlling erosion. They also don't need to be put down every year.  On the down side they may decrease some of the vigor of perennials as they share soil nutrients and moisture.

If these areas will be walked on, wooly thyme and creeping red fescue would be good choices.  Creeping phlox would have lovely spring flowers.  Ajuga and vinca minor have also been used as living mulch. 

I hope this information is helpful.

Jane

Thank you very much, Jane, for your response.  I do have a neighbor who has a lot of vinca minor (periwinkle) she wants to get rid of, so I took some of that before contacting you. 

 Before asking for more, I wanted to be sure that it would not

Will vinca crowd out the lilies and irises?

Will it also help  prevent erosion on the bank?

If so, I will get as much periwinkle from her. And, as you suggested, I will be sure to keep the lily-of-the-valley in check.

Thank you so much for your help!

Pamela

On May 25, 2021, at 3:43 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:



Pamela,

Vinca minor apparently will grow around other plants that are over 6 inches tall and not choke them out.  It can be aggressive with some considering it to be invasive.  However, it is not listed as invasive on the Vermont invasive species web site.  It is also considered good at controlling erosion.

Much the same can be said for sweet woodruff: doesn't choke out plants over 6 inches, good erosion control and can be even more aggressive than vinca minor. Not on invasive list!

To add to the above positive info, you can get plants from your neighbor!  Win! Win!

Hope all goes well!

Jane



Pamels,

I'm so glad this was helpful!

Jane

Thank you very much, Jane, for your response.  I do have a neighbor who has a lot of vinca minor (periwinkle) she wants to get rid of, so I took some of that before contacting you. 

 Before asking for more, I wanted to be sure that it would not

Will vinca crowd out the lilies and irises?

Will it also help  prevent erosion on the bank?

If so, I will get as much periwinkle from her. And, as you suggested, I will be sure to keep the lily-of-the-valley in check.

Thank you so much for your help!

Pamela

On May 25, 2021, at 3:43 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:



Pamels,

I'm so glad this was helpful!

Jane

Pamela,

Ajuga is very much the same as vinca as a good ground cover that prevents erosion.  It will not choke out other plants. Although not on the invasive list, it can be aggressive in spread. As well it could influence the vigor of other plants by sharing nutrients and moisture.

Best of luck will all!

Jane