'Ground cover'

[BellaeCandelae]

My ground is covered by black membrane and chipped bark to keep weeds away while we plant our new garden. But I don't really know whta I'm doing so I've got what is probably a very ignorant question:

I've bought some ground cover plants (Phlox). Do I just cut slits in the membrane and plant through it, like I did with my fuchsias, or do I have to peel back the membrane and leave the ground exposed in order for the phlox to establish itself and spread?

They are spreading plants so definitely need the space. You can start with small bare patches but will have to remove the membrane sooner or later as the plant replaces the membrane. Don't forget to feed and water a lot as phlox is a gross feeder. Definitively not a one of the plants that stands neglect. Good luck!

Yikes! I didn't realise it was a delicate creature, I thought it was one of those that more-or-less looks after iteslf.

Thanks!

It might depend on the soil - I had some creeping phlox and it did fine on neglect once it was established (soil was pretty fertile in general, clay rich, didn't water very much).

The biggest problem I had was with the really evil weeds that decided to try and grow through it (we backed onto a field, so had the works) - that WAS a pain to try and deal with.