This past May I purchased a ground cover that has had only a few of the advertised little pale blue flowers all summer. Its name is Isotoma fluviatilis (Blue Star Creeper). Wary though I am about introducing a creeper, I am interested in having little edging plants and in reducing the amount of visible mulch in parts of the garden.
Time will tell how this will work out. It would be nice to see it covered in flowers.
Nearby is a pink Clematis without a name. Never a strong bloomer, it has managed two new flowers in this last week before fall arrives.
Clematis sp.
pbmGarden 
Gorgeous blooms, I think as fall comes on and we know that winter is not far behind we become really appreciative.
Charlie, I think you are absolutely right. Thanks.
Your clematis has such a beautiful color. They brighten up a fall garden beautifully, even with just two flowers.
Thanks. This clematis might need a different location–it’s never been a real show-stopper! I should try to add more clematis. One I planted in spring is only about a foot tall so it didn’t produce the show I’d expected, but maybe it’s gathering strength for next year.
It’s a lovely clematis Susie. If the Blue Star Creeper doesn’t flower for you next year, how about a creeping veronica? Mine (Veronica “Mme Mercier”) flowered beautifully for most of the summer – also little blue flowers and dark green foliage. It’s a rampant ground cover, but loves a dry sunny spot.
Thanks for the recommendation Cathy. Veronica “Mme Mercier” looks nice. It may not be readily available here but I’ll check around. That’s just what I’d like: “flowered beautifully all summer”! Susie
What a beautiful colour your clematis is, such a nice colour for this time of year, it makes a nice change from the oranges and yellows of autumn.
Pauline, I would enjoy having more orange this time of year. Seems like a lot of my plants that are still blooming are unseasonably pinkish.
Didn’t know the blue star creeper but it looks very pretty, foliage included. Wonder whether it’s fully hardy…I’d better check.
Annette, it will be fun to see how blue star creeper does next year. It is semi-evergreen and hardy here, but I will need to make sure it has some moisture through the winter.
The foliage of the blue star creeper is very pretty, and even a foliage plant without many flowers is much nicer than mulch! Maybe it will flower more for you next year, many things don’t flower so well in their first year, especially if planted in spring.
I like the foliage too Christina. Hope it makes it–I just read up on the conditions it requires and apparently it enjoys moisture! Don’t think the tag on plant indicated that when I bought it.
I like your plan to cover up the mulch, I always feel like mulching consumes too much time and money around here… love the pattern on the blue creeper, the little sprays of leaves almost look fern-like.
I have a love-hate relationship with mulch. In early spring I like the way it can tidy up the beds and make them look cared for, but soon thereafter it looks dull. Do you have any favorite ground covers?
I know what you mean, I really like how neat everything looks with fresh mulch but then once it fades it makes everything look a little tired.
I almost hate to say it, but I like pachysandra. It’s so reliable and I think it’s perfect for in and around shrubs like lilac that trap leaves but are such a pain to clean out.
If you haven’t ever taken a look at blue leadwort, check it out. It’s not evergreen but works good as a groundcover through to fall, plus true blue blooms are always nice and they bloom for a really long season.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll check out the blue leadwort–blue blooms would be nice. Pachysandra is a possibility too–have to think about it though–I always worry about what is under there, squeamish as I am!
Thanks, Susie
Love the cute little flower of the creeper.
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