Home
Availability
Fruit Plants
Farm Staff
The Farm
Organic Care
Native Plants
Growing Guide
Pruning
Nutrition
Recipes
Hardiness Zones
Links
Retailers                

Blackberries Blueberries Figs Fruit Trees Grapes Groundcovers Raspberries Specialty Fruits Brochures

Groundcovers

Our hardy fruiting groundcovers are low maintenance and productive. Many of the fruits they produce are well-known for their nutritional merits and health-giving properties. They require no toxic chemicals to grow, so you can be assured your harvest is healthy.

These plants will enhance any garden bed, and work very well for difficult sites or slopes that you don’t wish to maintain beyond planting. Most will spread rapidly, 1-2’ per year, providing you with an attractive and ever-changing cover. Many can also be added to containers on your deck or patio.

Lowbush blueberries make a great low hedge or specimen planting, with exceptional fall color. Cranberries, Lingonberries, and "Well’s Delight" blueberry groundcover tend to creep along the ground, and add interest to rock gardens and mixed beds. Bearberry and Formosa Carpet raspberry spread quickly and can thrive in the most difficult situations. Strawberries will provide ample fruit when grown in rows, or in strawberry pots.

Our fruiting groundcovers are very popular and practical since they solve so many needs. Hardy and trouble-free, they work for those steep slopes or difficult sites which you don't wish to maintain beyond planting. Many perform equally well in sun or shade. All are self-fertile.

FORMOSA CARPET GROUNDCOVER RASPBERRY(Rubus calcynoides) is a unique, fast spreading, evergreen groundcover which is hardy and attractive in shady settings as well as sunny ones. Although its amber colored fruit has good flavor, this plant will be known as an excellent low maintenance groundcover for both urban and rural settings. Set 1-3’ apart. Zones 4-8.

WELL'S DELIGHT GROUNDCOVER BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium crassifolium) is a distinctive Southeastern US native, having lustrous foliage which forms small runners which resemble the American Cranberry. This evergreen will grow in heavy shade, endure drought and temperatures of -27 while slowly spreading to cover all available space. It has small white flowers and blue berries which resemble their namesakes but are not tasty, "just for the birds". Set 1’ apart in well-drained acidic soil. Zones 4 or 5-8.

LINGONBERRY (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is a native evergreen groundcover that creeps along the ground in moist acidic soils. Valued for its white flowers in spring with red fruits in early fall, used similar to cranberry. Forms a 4-18" tall glossy mat -great for rock gardens and beds in part shade. Space 1-2’ apart, and mulch to keep roots cool. Zones 2-7.

BEARBERRY (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is one of the best evergreen groundcovers, native from coast to coast and valued for its glossy foliage which turns bronze in fall, scarlet red berries, and its ability to thrive in poor sandy soils in hot sun. Rarely needs pruning; never fertilize. Pick berries that are fully red (in fall) and enjoy fresh or dried. Use like cranberries. Space 12"-24" apart, 6-12" tall. Zones 2-7 or 8.

LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium angustifolium) has long been favored for its small, sweet fruit and exceptionally hardy growth habits. This native species will spread through roots to provide 24" tall colorful shrub with interesting appearance year-round. Leaves are small, finely serrated and glossy. This variety is unusually drought resistant and trouble-free to grow in well drained, acidic soil. "Putte" is a selected lowbush strain which is uniformly 20" in height, has large berries and is very branchy and hardy. Often used in mass plantings. Zones 3-7.

CRANBERRIES (Vaccinium macrocarpon) have long been legend for their dietary and health giving properties. These bright red fruits associated with holidays offer excellent protection for the urinary tract and intestines. Easy to grow in moist acidic soil, this native evergreen is attractive and productive. Although it is NOT necessary to grow them under water, they are suitable for wet or marginal areas, but will perform equally well in a properly prepared garden bed, around your water garden, or even in a hanging basket. Incorporate sphagnum peat moss at time of planting and they can spread to cover several feet, keeping less than 12" tall. BEN LEAR is a dense growing cultivar with early season fruit which is medium sized, dark red (70-90 berries per cup). STEVENS is very vigorous and fast growing. Mid-season fruit is large (50-55 berries per cup) and deep red and tasty with exceptional storage characteristics. Both are hardy in zones 3-7. Adaptable to zone 2 with winter protection to prevent desiccation of exposed foliage.  

Best if view in 1024x786 resolution or above