Living Mulch is the practice of covering the soil with perennial ground cover plants instead of hardwood chips. Also known as “green mulching”, this approach can be established by adding low, spreading plants to an existing covering of wood mulch. Before long, the plants will fill in, replacing the wood mulch. Just like traditional hardwood mulch, the living mulch will cover the bare ground to discourage weeds, hold moisture, attract helpful organisms and improve the soil – all to the benefit of your flowering plants, vegetable garden or landscape plantings.
This is the most organic and eco-friendly approach to mulching. By establishing a natural plant ecosystem between your primary plants and ground cover, you can provide all the benefits of mulching, without the need for annual replacement of wood mulch as it decomposes.