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Ground Cover.
For a quick way to fill space, or if you need to have a bank that needs support you should think of ground cover plants.
The green carpet of foliage under trees and shrubs, the weed suppressing qualities; whatever the reason ground cover plants
comes in all shapes and sizes.
It is really important when planting ground cover to ensure that you are aware of the final size of the plant. How tall
and wide the planting will become has to be visualised at the time that you see the small specimen in the garden centre pot.
The following list may be of some help to you, but again remember to check the final dimensions. Ajuga (Bugle), low growing
Cotoneaster, low growing Euphorbia, perennial Geraniums, Nepeta (Catmint), ground cover Roses, Saxifraga umbrosa (London Pride),
the periwinkle Vinca Major and Minor but these can be a but invasive, and (a personal favourite) low growing Campanula carpatica.
Also try:-
Ajuga reptans 'Atropurpurea' (Carpet Bugle)
Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow' (Carpet Bugle)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady's Mantle)
Asarum europaeum (European Wild Ginger)
Campanula glomerata (Clustered Bellflower)
Campanula poscharskyana (Cup and Saucer)
Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in Summer)
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (Dwarf Plumbago)
Chrysanthemum pacificum (Gold and Silver Chrysanthemum)
Cotoneaster apiculatus (Cranberry Cotoneaster)
Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' (Dwarf Deutzia)
Gazania rigens (Treasure Flower)
Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina Jessamine)
Gypsophila repens 'Rosea' (Pink Creeping Baby's Breath)
Helianthemum (Sun Rose)
Hosta x 'Royal Standard' (Plantain Lily)
Hosta crispula (Plantain Lily)
Hypericum calycinum (St. John's Wort)
Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge)
Phlox divaricata (Wild Sweet William)
Rosa 'Sea Foam' (Landscape Roses)
Rosa 'The Fairy' (Landscape Roses)
Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood' (Stonecrop)
Verbena canadensis 'Homestead Purple' (Creeping Vervain)
Vinca major (Large Periwinkle)
Vinca minor (Dwarf Periwinkle)
Low-growing ground covers
Many of these ground huggers can withstand light foot traffic. In other words, you can walk on them periodically, and
they're ideal for planting around stepping stones or in the narrow planting strip between the sidewalk and street. All the
following plants are evergreen, meaning they have leaves all year. (Deciduous plants lose their leaves in the fall.)
* Wooly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa): This tough, hardy ground cover reaches to about 6 to 9 inches high and can take
foot traffic. In the summer, yellow flowers complement the ferny, gray-green foliage. The leaves are also aromatic, a fragrant
bonus when you walk on it (that is, if you like the smell).
* Carpet bugle (Ajuga reptans): Carpet bugle grows 2 to 6 inches high with handsome, deep green or purplish leaves.
This hardy plant sports blue flowers that grow on spikes in spring and early summer.
* Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): This plant's fine-textured, aromatic foliage reaches about 6 inches high. Chamomile
has yellow flowers (herbal tea is made from the dried flowers) and can withstand light traffic. The ground cover is hardy
to about 0 degrees F.
* English ivy (Hedera helix): This widely adapted, sprawling foliage plant sometimes has variegated leaves. Generally,
this hardy plant grows 12 to 18 inches high and can climb.
* Aaron's Beard, St. John's Wort (Hypericum calycinum): Sunny yellow flowers highlight this hardy plant, which grows
12 inches high.
* Iceplant (Lampranthus):This large group of low-growing succulents has bright flowers. Most of these drought-tolerant
plants are not very hardy and are best adapted to mild-winter climates.
* Mondo grass or lily turf (Liriope or Ophiopogon): Grassy leaves and summer flowers identify these two similar, hardy
plants. They also thrive in shade.
* Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis): This attractive foliage plant is ideal for shady, moist situations. Japanese
spurge grows to about 10 inches high and is hardy.
* Spring cinquefoil (Potentilla tabernaemontana): Spring cinquefoil has neatly lobed leaves and yellow flowers and
grows 3 to 6 inches high. This hardy plant can withstand foot traffic.
* Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox): A spreading herb with aromatic foliage and white to pink flowers, this plant grows
3 to 6 inches high. Creeping thyme is hardy and can withstand traffic.
* Dwarf periwinkle (Vinca minor): This ground cover displays dark green leaves and violet blue flowers. Growing 6
to 12 inches high, dwarf periwinkles thrive in shade and are hardy.
Shrubby ground covers
Shrubby ground covers include plants that are shrubbier and usually taller than the ones described in the preceding section.
Unless otherwise mentioned, all are very hardy.
* Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): This hardy evergreen shrub grows to about 12 inches high and sports small
white flowers and red berries. Kinnikinnick is also drought-resistant.
* Barberries (Berberis): Barberries are available in many low-growing varieties, some with purplish-green leaves.
The plant is deciduous with bright red fall color and red berries. It's also pretty thorny, good for planting under windows
to deter burglars.
* Cotoneasters (Cotoneaster): This large group of deciduous and evergreen plants includes many excellent ground covers.
Cotoneasters boast white flowers and red berries. Some deciduous ones have beautiful fall color.
* Winterberry (Euonymus fortunei): Winterberries are very hardy evergreen plants that come in many fine ground cover
forms. Some have very attractive, colored foliage.
* Junipers (Juniperus): These excellent, hardy plants have needlelike foliage. The tough and versatile juniper comes
in evergreen's many heights and some interesting foliage colors.
* Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides): The sprawling, vining evergreen plant has shiny foliage and fragrant
flowers. This plant does best in mild-winter climates. Star jasmine is hardy to only 10 degrees F.
Ground Covers by Scientific Name
Abelia x grandiflora 'Prostrata', Prostrate abelia
Achillea tomentosa, Wooly yarrow
Acorus calomus, Sweetflag; Sweetgrass
Acorus gramineus, Japanese sweetflag
Aegopodium podograria, Bishops' weed
Ajuga pyramidalis, Pyramidal ajuga
Ajuga reptans, Ajuga
Antennaria dioica, Pussytoes
Arcrostaphy los uva-uisi, Bearberry
Ardisia japonica, Japanese ardisia; Maleberry
Armeria martima, Common thrift; Sea pink; Maritime thrift
Asarum canadense, Wild ginger; Canadian wild ginger
Asarum splendens, Chinese wild ginger
Asarum virginicum, Virginia wild ginger; Southern wild ginger; Heartleaf ginger
Aspidistra elatior, Cast iron plant
Baptisia alba, False indigo; White indigo
Bletilla striata, Chinese ground orchid
Carex elata (Carex stricta), Tufted sedge
Carex morrowii, Japanese sedge; Morrow's sedge
Carex phyllocephala, Palm sedge; Tenjiku sedge
Carex plantaginea, Plaintain-leaved sedge
Cerastium tomentosum, Snow-in-summer
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Leadwort; Dwarf plumbago
Chrysogonum virginianum, Green and gold
Cotoneaster adpressus, Creeping cotoneaster
Cotoneaster apiculatus, Cranberry cotoneaster
Cotoneaster conspicuus, Wintergreen cotoneaster
Cotoneaster dammeri, Bearberry cotoneaster
Cotoneaster horizontalis, Rockspray cotoneaster
Cotoneaster salicifolius, Willowleaf cotoneaster
Delosperma cooperi, Cooper's hardy ice plant
Delosperma nubigena, Hardy ice plant; Cloud-loving hardy ice plant
Delosperma sutherlandii, --
Dendranthema pacificum, Gold and silver chrysanthemum
Dianthus plumarius, Pinks; Dianthus
Epigaea repens, Trailing arbutus
Epimedium sempervirens, Bishop's hat
Epimedium spp., Epimedium
Epimedium x perralchicum, Yellow epimedium
Epimedium x rubrum, Red epimedium; Red barrenwort
Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum', Bicolor epimedium; Bicolor barrenwort
Epimedium x youngianum 'Niveum', White epimedium
Euonymus fortunei, Wintercreeper euonymus; Japanese euonymus
Euphorbia myrsinites, Myrtle euphorbia
Euphorbia polychroma, Cushion spurge; Cushion euphorbia
Euphorbia robbiae, Robb's euphorbia
Fatshedera lizei, Fatshedera
Festuca ovina var. glauca, Blue fescue
Fragaria 'Pink Panda', Pink Panda strawberry
Fragaria 'Red Ruby', Red Ruby strawberry
Fragaria ananassa, Strawberry
Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans', Creeping gardenia
Gaultheria procumbens, Spreading wintergreen; Teaberry; Common wintergreen
Gelsemium sempervirens, Carolina jasmine
Genista lydia, Lydia broom
Genista tinctoria, Common woadwaxen; Dyer's greenwood
Geranium sanguineum, Cranesbill geranium
Hedera canariensis, Algerian ivy; Coney Island ivy
Hedera colchica, Colchis ivy; Persian ivy
Hedera helix, English ivy
Helictotrichon sempervirens, Blue oats grass
Helleborus orientalis, Lenten rose; Helleborus; Christmas rose
Hemerocallis hybrida, Daylily
Hosta spp., Hosta
Houttuynia cordata, Chameleon plant
Hylotelephium sieboldii, Japanese stonecrop
Hypericum calycinum, St. John's wort; Aaron's beard
Iberis sempervirens, Evergreen candytuft
Imperarata cylindrica ruba, Japanese blood grass
Iris tectorum, Roof iris; Wall iris
Juniperus chinensis 'Parsonii', Parson's juniper
Juniperus chinensis 'San Jose', San Jose juniper
Juniperus chinensis 'Sargentii', Sargent juniper
Juniperus conferta, Shore juniper
Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific', Blue Pacific juniper
Juniperus horizontalis 'Andorra', Andorra juniper
Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor', Bar Harbor juniper
Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip', Blue Chip juniper
Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Rug', Blue Rug juniper
Juniperus horizontalis 'Plumosa Compacta', Plumosa Compacta juniper
Juniperus procumbens, Japanese juniper
Lamium galeobdolon, Golden dead nettle; Yellow archangel
Lamium maculatum, Lamium; Dead nettle; Spotted dead nettle
Laurentia fluviatilis, Laurentia
Liriope exiliflora 'Silver Sunproof', Silver Sunproof liriope
Liriope muscaria, Liriope
Liriope spicata, Creeping liriope
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet honeysuckle
Mahonia repens, Creeping mahonia
Microbiota decussata, Cypress; Siberian cypress; Russian arborvitae
Minuartia verna spp. caespitosa, Moss sandwort
Nepeta x faasenii, Faasen's catmint; Blue catmint
Ophiopogon jaburan vittata, Snakebeard; White lilyturf
Ophiopogon japonicus, Mondo grass
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana', Dwarf mondo grass
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Arabicus', Black mondo grass
Pachysandra terminalis, Pachysandra
Paronychia kapela, Nailwort
Pennisetum alopecuroides, Fountain grass
Phalaris arundarinacea, Ribbon grass
Phlox stolonifera, Creeping phlox
Phlox subulata, Thrift; Moss pink
Pilosella officinarum, Mouse-ear hawkweed
Polygonatum humile, Dwarf Solomon's seal
Potentilla fruticosa, Shrubby potentilla; Shrubby cinquefoil
Rhododendron eriocarpum, Dwarf Indica (Gumpo) azalea
Rosa wichuraiana, Memorial rose
Rosa x 'Petite Pink', Petite Pink Scotch rose
Rubus calcyinoiden, Creeping bramble; Taiwanese creeping rubus
Santolina chamaecyparissus, Lavender cotton; Santolina
Santolina virens, Green santolina
Saponaria ocymoides, Rock soapwort
Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis, Sarcococca; Sweetbox
Saxifraga stolonifera, Strawberry begonia
Sedum spp., Sedum; Stonecrop
Sedum 'Matrona', Matrona stonecrop
Sedum acre, Gold-moss; Stonecrop
Sedum album, White stonecrop
Sedum cauticola, --
Sedum kamtschaticum, Kamschatka sedum
Sedum kamtschaticum var. floriferum 'Weihenstepharis Gold', Gold sedum
Sedum lineare 'Variegatum', Variegated stonecrop
Sedum makinoi, --
Sedum middendorf, Stonecrop
Sedum sieboldii, October daphne
Sedum spectabile, Showy stonecrop; Ice plant
Sedum spurium, Two-row stonecrop; Creeping stonecrop
Sedum spurium 'John Creech', John Creech sedum
Sedum ternatum, Three-leaved stonecrop; Mountain stonecrop
Sedum tetractinum, Chinese sedum
Selaginella uncinata, Peacock moss
Sesleria caerulea, Blue moor grass
Setcreasea pallida 'Purple Heart', Purple heart; Wandering Jew
Stachys byzantina, Lamb's ear
Teucrium chamaedrys, Germander
Thymus herba-barona, Caraway thyme
Thymus leucotrichus, Juniper thyme
Thymus praecox, Creeping thyme; Mother of thyme
Thymus serpyllum, Creeping thyme; Mother of thyme
Thymus vulgaris, Garden thyme; Common thyme
Tiarella cordifolia, Foamflower
Trachelospermum asiaticum, Asiatic jasmine
Vaccinium crassifolium, Creeping blueberry
Verbena canadensis; V. tenera; V. hybrids, Clump verbena; Rose verbena
Verbena rigida, Sandpaper verbena; Purple verbena
Verbena tenuisecta, Moss verbena
Veronica peduncularis, V. officinalis, Veronica
Vinca major, Big leaf periwinkle
Vinca minor, Periwinkle; Dwarf periwinkle
Waldsteinia ternata, Yellow strawberry; Dry strawberry
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