Complementary groundcover

[bamboozal]

I'm considering growing groundcover in my bamboo hedge (contained by the ever-popular rhizome barrier) and would like to get some ideas/comments and other suggestions as to what to plant.

Currently, I'm considering lawn chamomile (Anthemis nobilis ?Treneague?) as it seems to attract ladybirds and that should take care of any aphid problems I may encounter.

I've also heard that clover enriches the soil by supplementing nitrogen through its roots. Anyone knows this for a fact?

Feel free to chime in with any ideas....anything at all...


Adrian.

[BooKing]

In my Nigra grove I have Hakonechloa macra 'AllGold' growing. The nigra culms are all pruned up to expose the culms and it is a nice contrast with the Hakonechloa. As far as clover being turned into nitrogen, I am not sure. I know the roots of peas are a nitrogen fixing machine and I use them as a "green " cover crop.

[Thuja]

Clover is also a legume. I don't know if it produces a surplus of nitrogen but it certainly gets plenty enough for itself. Seems like a good idea as long as the clover doesn't steal too much moisture from the ground. If you can water during dry spells then it should work. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixation

[magsc21]

Hey, I had a similar sort of question a while ago. I got some nice photos & plant suggestions in reply.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load ... 232.html?9

Also, here is a photo of my one successful plant under a bamboo, lirope muscari 'big blue':

[Iowaboo]

Yeah, nice in theory. A legume to fix nitrogen into the bamboo. But the problems are
1. bamboo shade
2. competive root system

What kind of clover are we talking about? I would imagine white clover would be a rice krispie treat in those conditions. But of course, Germany is cooler and wetter than the arid, hot regions of West iowa, in which I experience the hot coals of clover.

magsc21 does have a good link. Essentially the same question.

[bamboozal]

Thanks for all the links.
The nitrogen fixing ability of clover has me intrigued and I guess I'll just have to grow a patch of clover in a part of the hedge to see if the bamboo likes the company. Nothing like a little experiment in the garden I say....

[needmore]

Clover is one of the more common 'items' I regularly pull from my groves, so I am certain that the 2 get along just fine, I personally like the look of no ground cover with my timber species otherwise I'd surely leave the clover.

[bambooweb]

A short "clover" that seems to grow well with bamboo is Black Medic.
http://www.weedalert.com/weed_pages/wa_blackmedic.htm

Remember with legumes to inoculate the seed with the correct nitrogen fixing bacteria. There are different strains for different groups of plants.

Bill

[Iowaboo]

Also, one could use groundcover bamboo in a timber bamboo grove with shrub bamboo in the mix, also.

[Jeff: Igor's Apprentice]

"complementary groundcover"?!?!?!?!! BEWARE of foliage that flatters!
http://umsis.miami.edu/~jrichar1/james/ ... ls0023.jpg
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j141/ ... 0_3469.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

[Jeff: Igor's Apprentice]

Of possible nitrogen fixing plants, I wonder how Ceanothus americanus would hold its own. I've read that it is deep rooted and drought tolerant, so it may be able to compete. Needs part soon.

http://umsis.miami.edu/~jrichar1/james/ ... ls0023.jpg