Botanical NameIsotoma fluviatilisMature Size3 inches high, 18 inch spreadSun ExposureFull sun

Does Isotoma spread?

Botanical NameIsotoma fluviatilisMature Size3 inches high, 18 inch spreadSun ExposureFull sun

How do you prepare ground for planting ground cover?

Before planting groundcovers, remove any weeds or turf grasses. If the area was in lawn previously use a sharp spade to remove the grass, roots and all. Then improve the soil by adding as much organic matter as possible (compost, rotted manure, shredded leaves).

How do you plant Isotoma fluviatilis?

1. Soil: Will grow in sandy, gravelly soil. …
2. Light: Full sun to part shade. …
3. Water: Water regularly until established. …
4. Spacing: 12 – 18 inches.
5. Fertilizing: An application of any general-purpose garden fertilizer before new growth emerges in spring will keep the plant well-nourished throughout the growing season.

Is Isotoma invasive?

Blue Star Creeper plant (Isotoma fluviatilis) is a low growing, evergreen ground cover and can be quite invasive. While Isotoma axillaris is only winter hardy in USDA hardiness zone 11, Isotoma fluviatilis is hardy to zone 6 and thrives as a perennial in many parts of the United States.

How do you care for Isotoma?

1. Plant Feed. Fertilize regularly for best display.
2. Watering. Keep well-watered.
3. Soil. Fertile, well-drained soil.
4. Basic Care Summary. Best in fertile, well-drained soil. Keep soil moist, watering freely in dry weather. Fertilize regularly for best display.

Is Isotoma a perennial?

Laurentia is a perennial grown as an annual. Isotoma axillaris is a heat-loving plant native to Australia that is hardy in zones 7-10 but is easily grown as an annual in colder climates. Plants have a compact, mounded habit growing 12-15″ tall and wide. …

Is Isotoma an evergreen?

Blue star creeper (Laurentia fluviatilis or Isotoma fluviatilis), true to its common name, is a creeping evergreen.

Do rabbits eat Isotoma?

First things first: blue star creeper is super easy to plant and maintain. Botanically known as Isotoma fluviatilis, it’s a popular ground cover to work into an ornamental landscape. Being a low but fast-growing plant, it develops into a mass of deep green leaves with delicate creeping stems.

How do you propagate Isotoma?

Isotoma axillaris and Isotoma anethifolia can be easily propagated from seed. Seed can be scattered directly in late winter, when there is no more danger of frost, or planted into pots and then transplanting in spring.

Article first time published on

What is the best time to plant ground cover?

Where winters are cold, plant in spring; this will give the groundcover an entire season to become established before it must face the rigors of winter. In areas with hot, dry summers and mild winters, plant in fall; the winter rains will help get the plants off to a good start.

How long does ground cover take to spread?

Quick-growing ground cover plants can absorb the nutrients that newly planted bushes and trees need to get a good head start. Wait at least six months after planting the larger items before adding the ground cover to let larger plantings develop healthy root systems.

Does ground cover grow mulch?

A. No need to remove the mulch as long as the soil below is good enough to grow the ground cover. Just pull the mulch aside so you can plant the ground cover in the soil. … The mulch will help conserve moisture and discourage weeds and that will help your ground cover get established quicker.

Is Isotoma poisonous?

Is Isotoma ‘Blue Star’ poisonous? Isotoma ‘Blue Star’ has no toxic effects reported.

Will Blue Star creeper choke out weeds?

It’s so low-growing that at least it never needs mowing! Conclusion: To sum up, Blue Star Creeper is aggressive, invasive (in the U.S.), offers poor weed suppression and has low aesthetic appeal for much of the year.

Is Pratia an evergreen?

An unusual plant from Australia, this has masses of deep green evergreen leaves on creeping stems, which are studded with violet flowers all summer. The remarkable thing about this plant is that, unlike most rock plants, it thrives in a variety of conditions, from sun to quite deep shade.

Is Laurentia Hardy?

Deadhead as needed to encourage further flowering. … Feed and water regularly during the flowering season. Plants should be kept frost free as they are not fully hardy. Drought and heat tolerant.

Is Laurentia the same as Isotoma?

Isotoma axillaris is also known as Laurentia (law-REN-tee-uh) and also Solenopsis (sol-en-OP-sis) axillaris. You may sometimes see this classification used in plants for sale. It also has other common names which include: Starflower.

Do bees like Isotoma?

Blue Star Creeper is an herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. … This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard.

How do you plant baby tears ground cover?

Planting Baby Tears Tease out individual stems with some roots attached. Place the roots in the prepared hole and dribble a little soil over them. Press the soil down gently and water in well. Spacing depends on how fast you want to cover the ground; you can space as closely as four inches apart.

Is Scottish moss a perennial?

Irish and Scotch moss are prostrate herbaceous evergreen perennials in the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) that superficially resemble moss.

What can you grow between paving slabs?

1. Erigeron.
2. Thyme.
3. Marjoram.
4. Smaller Alchemilla (vulgaris) variety.
5. Aubretia.
6. Helianthemum.
7. Lavender.
8. Dianthus.

What can you plant between pavers in full sun?

• Creeping thyme (Thymus spp): Considered one of the finest ground covers for filling in between flagstones. It meets all of the criteria of a good plant employee. …
• Dymondia (Dymondia margaretae) is a good alternative.

How do you plant Pratia?

Pratia penductula prefers a sunny to a partly shaded position. Ensure that it is planted in well-drained soil. You can expect it to grow like grass and in clumps – once its reached maturity, it will grow to approx—20 cm high and 1m wide.

Is Laurentia frost hardy?

It prefers damp well drained soils, full sun to part shade, and needs protection from frosts. It is a hardy and trouble free plant for long lasting floral displays, and has an attractive mounding habit.

Does Grace Ward Lithodora spread?

This evergreen perennial grows 1 foot high, spreading 3 to 4 feet. The often scruffy looking foliage is compensated for by incredible true blue flowers summer, fall. It can be grown in full sun to part shade, is quite drought tolerant and deer resistant and can be used as a groundcover.

What is good ground cover?

While grass is typically the best way to fill out empty space, sometimes low-growing plants are a better — and prettier — option. There are so many options to choose from, including old favorites like Pachysandra and Vinca, as well as small shrubs, perennials, and annuals.

How do you control a blue star creeper?

Cover the grass growing around the blue star creeper with a sheet, cardboard or another protective shield. Spray the foliage of the unwanted plant, on a dry, calm day, with a nonselective herbicide, such as a ready-to-use glyphosate product.

How do you grow a Laurentia seed?

Sow seeds onto the surface of fine moist seed compost, and cover with a fine dusting of vermiculite. Keep in a light place until the seeds germinate, usually about two weeks. Once germinated, remove the lid of the propagator or remove the container from the plastic bag and grow on until large enough to handle.

Is Beth's blue a perennial?

Buy beth’s blue star flowering perennials, laurentia beths blue, from NatureHills.com, America’s largest online nursery.

How far apart do you plant ground cover?

As a general rule of thumb, most groundcovers do well when spaced 12 to 24 inches (31-61 cm.) apart, but when it comes to figuring the distance between groundcover plants, it’s important to consider the growth habits of the particular plant and how quickly you want to fill the space.