Once established, what maintenance might ground covers need if they become uneven or too tall?

Shearing is an effective maintenance practice for ground covers that have become uneven or too tall. This technique involves trimming or cutting back the foliage to promote a more uniform appearance and encourage new growth. Regular shearing can prevent ground covers from becoming leggy or sparse, maintaining a dense and healthy cover over the intended area. It can also help to stimulate new growth and improve the overall aesthetic of the landscape.

Other maintenance practices, while useful in different contexts, do not directly address the issue of unevenness or excessive height in the same way that shearing does. Fertilization, for example, may boost growth but would not resolve structural issues. Replacement would involve removing the ground cover entirely, which is more drastic and not generally necessary if shearing can restore the desired appearance. Overseeding typically pertains to sowing seeds to enhance or establish growth, which doesn't apply in a situation where the ground cover is already established and simply needs tidying up.