Groundcovers

One of the easiest solutions to problem areas of landscapes – steep slopes, deep shade, and wet soils – is groundcovers. There are an abundant selection of groundcovers that once established can bring the most barren landscape to life with lush foliage, interesting textures and eye-catching blossoms. More and more gardeners are turning to groundcovers because they spread quickly to cover large areas, need little if any maintenance once established and are easy on the pocketbook.

There are a wide variety of groundcovers including perennial plants, shrubs, evergreen trees, ornamental grasses, ferns and herbs. Many groundcovers are drought tolerant and thrive in exposed, dry locations while others tolerate wet soils and deep shade. For locations where little else will grow or access is difficult, plant one or more groundcovers and the area will be transformed in very little time.

Another grass alternative to consider is clover. It is an economical alternative that can eliminate the need to mow and it stays green and beautiful blending in with landscapes in your community. Plus, clover attracts beneficial insects that will prey on pesky garden bugs. Clover’s popularity is on the rise, and as such it is readily available at stores in seed form.

As with all plants, amending the condition of the soil, removing any weeds beforehand and selecting the right groundcover for the location to be planted will help ensure success.

Groundcovers for
a dry, shady location

Barren Strawberry
Waldsteinia fragarioides
•
Bearberry Contoneaster
Contoneaster dammeri
•
Bigroot Geranium
Geranium macrorrhizum
•
False Solomon’s Seal
Smilacina racemosa
•
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus vitacea
•
Japanese Spurge
Pachysandra terminalis
•
Lamb's Ears
Stachys Byzantina
•
Mountain Avens
Dryas spp.
•
Turkish Speedwell
Veronica liwanensis
•
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus vitacea
•
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
•
Wintercreeper;
Euonymus fortunei
•
Wood Spurge
Euphorbia amygdaloides

Groundcovers for
a hot, sunny location

Canada Wild Rye (N/G)
Elymus canadensis
•
Cinquefoil (Sb)
Potentilla fruticosa
•
Creeping Baby's Breath
Gypsophila repens
•
Daylily
Hemerocallis spp.
•
Juniper (Sb)
Juniperus spp.
•
Lavender
Lavandula spp.
•
Pussytoes
Antennaria dioica
•
Rock Rose
Helianthemum nummularium
•
Sedum
Sedum spp.
•
Snow-in-Summer (A)
Cerastium tomentosum
•
Speedwell
Veronica spp.
•
Wall Cress
Arabis spp.
•
Wintercreeper; (Sb)
Euonymus fortunei
•
Woolly Thyme
Thymus praecox ‘Pseudolanuginosus’
•
Yarrow
Achillea spp.
•
Yellow Ice Plant
Delosperma nubigenum

Legend
A – Aggressive
G – Grass
N – Native plant
S – Tolerates heavy shade
Sb – Shrub
spp. – species

For Detailed Groundcovers Factsheet (PDF format)
Download here:
Groundcovers

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