I am seeking advice for good groundcovers around my young trees. Ideally these would encourage bees, butterflies and other good insects. Another consideration is that it might be best if perennials were included as I am on a steep slope in the Puget Sound area. I am so far leaning towards clover (not sure what types would be best), native strawberries, legumes and grasses. I am also wondering if alfalfa and yarrow tossed in might be good. It is not practical to till the area yearly as soil erosion is a concern. While it is tempting to use native shubbery I don't want root competition problems. Of course I would also keep rings of wood chips around individual trees which would expand outward as the trees mature -- I have fewer than ten trees (so far 
). The @#$% ivy and blackberries are putting up a good fight but I am determined to tame them.
Thanks in advance. I love this website and really appreciate the many thoughtful answers given. I hope everyone has been enjoying the moments of early Spring.
You have more trees than I do, but I am also experimenting with fruit tree groundcovers. My trees vary in age from 2 to 6 years in the ground. The apples are espaliered, but the plum, pear, quince and medlar are free-standing. I have hazelnut shells under the espalier, but the others have micro-clover from the dripline and out. The deep roots of the clover could be a problem, but that's for the future. Here are a couple of references on to the orchard ground cover that you migh find interesting: http://www.massfruitgrowers.org/nefrtmt ... 03/a06.pdf
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/public ... 115=220511
Fragaria chiloensis could be a good option also.
One other thing, I am on a city lot and have less "critter" problems than in a standard orchard, which is something to keep in mind as voles and others could enjoy the vegetation around the trees and cause root and bark damage. Hopefully other HOS folk can comment on this.
good luck to both of us!
I'm a big fan of creeping thyme. Its roots are so shallow as to be almost nonexistent - it grows across rock and concrete with with either a distant connection to dirt, or on the minute film of dust and dirt that's always there. It grows very low - under 2" unless it's blooming, when it stands at maybe 4 - 5".
Its combined benefit and problem - it doesn't like much water. It won't steal from the tree, and if you can do the "pipe in the ground" thing and not flood the thyme, it should be a good relationship
Thanks for your informative posts. I think I will try out the Dutch clover as I won't have pets or kids in the area. Hopefully it can help crowd out the very stubborn ivy.
I've also been interested in the Fragensis too as I've heard positive comments about it. I will have to investigate the Tyme as well. I have just the spot for it.
Good luck with your orchards!
Idyllwild
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Marsha H
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