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| Hmmm....the mower might just do the job! |
Snow on the Mountain- Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum'
When it comes to
rugged groundcover that can tolerate
tough soil conditions, there's nothing like Snow on the Mtn (as we commonly call it here in the Northwest). When the construction crew left only subsoil along my foundation, I chose this hardy plant. I knew before I started that this plant had the reputation of being invasive. I have restricted it to just this section of the yard and hit it with weed killer if it creeps out of place.
It spreads by roots and seeds. I also deadhead after the summer blooming but never add any part of it to any compost piles. It's simply too prolific. Tolerates
sun to part sun.
How to handle a project this size? I'm a firm believer in simple is best. This bed is free of rocks or stumps that could harm a mower blade so I decided to simply mulch down the entire bed. I used a rocking motion to chop off the taller materials and slowly set the mower back down on its wheels.
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| By leaning the mower up slightly, the entire plant can be munched down. |
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| The mulching blade does a nice job.... |
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| One bed is already done |
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| Then rake all the mulch evenly for winter..... |
This plot gave me several full bags of mulch. I prefer to remove all the mulch then spread it evenly back on the beds. It's important that you return all of the Snow on the Mtn to this same area. It's hard to get rid of if it takes hold in, say, a nice perennial bed. After "deadheading," I mowed the surrounding lawn area as well, added grass clippings and a few fall leaves to the bed. A few quick sweeps with a spring rake and the job is done. It is now ready for winter. The uniform appearance is visually acceptable and will naturally break down and feed the beds as well. The whole job took about half and hour.
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