Climbers & Ground Cover Plants

Absolutely! Some climbers are suitable for container gardens or small gardens. One example is bambino dwarf bougainvillaea, a flowering plant that needs good drainage. Climbers like ivy or creeping figs can also be grown in pots indoors or outdoors, as long as they have enough sunlight. For outdoors, Mandevilla or 'rock trumpet' is a flowering vine that is easy to grow and maintain and add colour to any courtyard.

We have a huge range of climber plants for sale. Drop by our Hoppers Crossing nursery for some inspiration and friendly advice on the best type of climbers for pot plants.

Different plants have different climbing techniques. When you choose a climbing plant, make sure it will grow against the structure you have in mind. Here are a few of the different types of climbers and where they grow best:

• Twiners: these plants have flexible new stems that grow around just about any support, including poles and posts. Just make sure the support is strong enough to hold the species, as climbers like wisteria may strangle trees or crush soft timber.
• Scramblers: Thorns or spikes on the stems grab onto any support. These climbers grow well on cables or over a pergola or garden arch.
• Sticky feet: Some climbers attach to a surface via tiny suction caps or clusters of roots. Beware as they may damage paint or rendered surfaces.
• Tendrils: This style of climber grips a surface with small coils or springs that form at the base of the leaves. They are perfect for covering latticework, wire mesh or cable wire fences.

You’ll find plenty of inspiration and great ideas on how to grow your climber plants in our Melbourne nurseries - located in Epping and Hopper’s Crossing.

The best flowering climber for your garden depends on where you want the plant to grow and the type of structure providing support. Some beautiful examples that grow well in Australia include:

• Clematis: A member of the buttercup family, this climber rewards the gardener with fragrant flowers. There are lots of different colours available too!
• Jasmine: Usually white or pink, this climber flowers generously. It can be fragrant or not, depending on the species.
• Wisteria: This robust plant grows fast, providing screening from the neighbours and rich shade throughout summer and spring.

For more advice on all the fabulous flowering climbing plants we have for sale, visit our display garden at Hoppers Crossing. Our friendly staff are always happy to answer all your climber questions.

Australian Harebell is a native ground cover that grows into a thick, dense mat for a partly shaded garden with a pond or water feature. It's suitable for rocky areas or between pavers and flowers with purple buds.

Thyme is a soft ground cover that can withstand light foot traffic. You can choose different varieties for their foliage, ranging from green and gold to silver. Slow-growing varieties are ideal for growing between pavers and stones. Thyme can introduce a fresh scent to your garden as well.

Pigface is a South African native plant. It grows well in dry, sunny, rocky, and sandy areas of the garden. This hardy plant blooms with delicate, daisy-like flowers.

Check out our extensive range of ground cover plants for sale in our Melbourne nurseries - located in Hopper’s Crossing and Epping. Our friendly staff and qualified horticulturists are on hand to provide you with all the assistance and advice you need.

There are many options for flowering ground cover. Here are a few of our popular flowering ground cover plants:

• Grevillea Royal Mantle is a drought-tolerant plant that attracts native Australian birds to its spectacular flowers throughout spring and summer.
• Guinea Flower is another native ground cover with large yellow flowers during spring and summertime. The glossy foliage is evergreen, keeping the garden lush year-round.
• Fan Flower rewards the gardener with small purple flowers that are most prolific in spring and bloom to a lesser degree year-round. This plant can tolerate light frost.

Our flowering ground cover plants are perfectly suited to the Melbourne climate. Drop by our display centre in Hopper’s Crossing to view our full range of flowering ground cover plants for sale today.

Planting ground cover can have a variety of health benefits for your garden. Some of the benefits of planting ground cover include:

• Plants spread across the soil and help to choke out weeds by providing competition for nutrients and sunlight.
• Thickly grown ground cover can help to reduce erosion.
• Ground cover insulates the soil from cold in winter and heat in summer.
• Spreading plants help to reduce water loss from the garden bed.
• Plants provide organic matter that increases the nutrient value of the garden bed over time, improving overall soil quality.
  

• Vinca is a flowering ground cover that can grow in hot, dry areas and thrives in full sun. Flowers come in white, pink or red.
• Oregano is a hardy edible plant that doubles as a ground cover and tolerates full sun. Use this versatile herb in the kitchen and enjoy the insect-repelling benefits as it reduces mosquitos and other pests in the garden.
• Black mondo grass spreads slowly and prefers full sun. It can be grown amongst other plants or even in a container or pot to cover exposed soil.

If you have questions about the best ground cover for your garden's conditions, you can contact our friendly team. They'd be happy to share their knowledge with you.