A baffling problem for many gardeners is what to grow in areas that are challenging.Have a tough slope or area that is hard to mow safely? Want to fill in around taller plants with a living mulch or grow a “stepable carpet” around your walkway pavers? Here are 10 low-maintenance ground cover plants that add curbappeal!
What AreGroundcovers?
Groundcovers are essentially low-growing perennial plants that never reach more than a couple of inches in height. Most of these plants spread easily. There are many reasons that ground covers are planted. They’re great for:
- areas where grass just doesn’t grow well, especially in shady areas such as under atree.
- covering slopes or steep hillsides where it’s hard to mow but also where plants can help witherosion.
- hot, dry areas which receive little irrigation (thinksedum!).
- areas that border patios, driveways, and lawns as well as between patio stones and steppingpavers
- high-traffic areas that need something tougher thangrass.
And don’t just think of ground covers as cover-ups! They can provide flowering color and interest to your landscape.They can be beneficial to pollinators, stabilize soil, and grow where other plants won’t grow, such as under a tree.
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It’s important to choose the right ground cover for your needs, plant ground cover correctly, and also make sure that you pick a ground cover that can’t get quickly out ofcontrol.
1.Bearberry
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is extremely tolerant of poor soil, bearberry will even will grow in pure sand and will grow in sun or shade. The six-inch-tall evergreen has small, glossy, dark-green leaves that turn bronze-ish-red inautumn.
In spring, the entire plant is covered with tiny white flowers tinged with pink. These mature to bright red berries that birds love. Spaced 12 inches apart, plants will form a thick carpet in two or three seasons. Bearberry is hardy to Zone2.
2.Hen-and-Chicks
Hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum) are great tucked between pavers and stones that line your pathways but you probably don’t want to walk on them, especially barefoot! They thrive in hot dry places where nothing else will grow and make a fine living mulch for a xeriscape garden. Zones3-8.
Hens and chicks multiply fast and will soon tightly fill in a bare spot making it hard for weeds to gain afoothold.
3.Sedums
Sedum comes in many shapes and sizes but the low growing ones are perfect groundcovers for those hot dry slopes where nothing else grows. These spreading, mat-forming types of sedums resist drought by storing water in their fleshy stems androots.
Practically bullet-proof, they are able to withstand any amount of abuse you throw at them and their blossoms will attract a multitude of bees and other beneficials. Zones 3-10. Two good choices, both hardy to Zone 4, are two-inch-tall ‘John Creech’ two-row sedum (Sedum spurium cv.), with pink flowers in June, and the six-inch-tall ‘Fuldaglut’ two-row sedum, with reddish or purple foliage and rose-red flowers from July throughSeptember.
See our guide on growing sedum.
4. CreepingPhlox
Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) works well in hot spots or sandy spots with full sun and maintains thick foliage all year-round as well as pretty blooms in the early spring. In full sun, phlox provides a thick mass of carpet-like foliage which is completely covered with an abundance of blooms.See our guide on growing phlox.
New phlox planted in the landscape.
5.Foamflower
One of the best native plants to use as a shade groundcover, Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) has 8- to 10-inch spikes of fluffy white flowers in spring and evergreen foliage that adds visual texture to a woodland path and an added layer of interest between taller plants in your shade garden.Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions from dry to moist but well-drained soils, this undemanding plant performs reliably in the garden. Zones3-9.
6. CreepingThyme
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is sun-loving perennial herb with small lavender flowers that bloom in the summer and an evergreen mat of low-growing foliage.
7. Blue FescueGrasses
Ornamental grasses such as blue fescue (Festuca glauca)work well in dry, hot spots and also add beautiful texture to the landscape.
Image: BlueFescue
8. CreepingJunipers
This ground cover is suitable for parched areas. A popular choice is blue rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’), a tough-as-nails ground hugger that is only 4 to 6 inches tall. Its intense silver-blue needles take on pleasing purple tones in winter. Although a single plant may eventually grow to 8 feet in diameter, the recommended spacing is 2 to 3 feet for quick coverage. Blue rug juniper is hardy to Zone3.
Image:Juniperus horizontalis‘Wiltonii’
9. SweetWoodruff
With bright green fragrant leaves, sweet woodruff (Galium odorata) bears clusters of white flowers in spring. It is an excellent low growing groundcover for shady spots and under trees and stays green until the snow hits. And that sprinkling of tiny white flowers is just sublime.Mine grow under a forsythia outside my living room window where I can keep an eye out for their early blossoms. Zones3-9.
Photo credit:fotomarekka/Shutterstock
10. Lamium(Deadnettle)
Wonderful as ground cover in a shady area, Spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum) can cover large areas quickly, prevailing in the most unforgiving of conditions. It’s deer-resistant and can tolerate drought, heat, and cold.This low-maintenance plant thrives year-round! Pink or white flowers bloom in spring andsummer.
Photo credit:nnattalli/Shutterstock
Planting GroundCover
Remember that coverage isn’t instantaneous. You don’t want to squeeze ground cover plants together; most grow and cover their soil surface by year three. Pay special attention to the spacing on the plant tags; this will help you calculate how many plants you need. As a general rule, you wan to space plants so that the distance between each one is generally equal to their maximum width. Here is a good guideline to gauge how many plants you need from the National GardeningAssociation:
- 100 plants spaced 6 inches apart cover about 20 squarefeet
- 12 inches apart, they’ll cover 85 square feet;and
- 18 inches apart, they’ll cover 200 squarefeet
Before you plant most ground cover plants, ensure that all weeds and grass has been eliminated. There are a number of ways to remove weeds (hoes and tillers) or, if you have time, you can wet the area and cover with clear plastic for 4 to 6 weeks to solarize thesoil.
Scatter composted manure over the planting site and even the planting surface Then place your plants on top of the soil in zigzag rows. When ready to plant, dig holes to the same depth as, and two to three times wider than the plants’ root balls. Remember to place the plant in the hole so that it’s at the same soil level as it was in the pot. Firm the soil and water in. Cover in organic mulch about 2 inches thick, but about 6 inches away from the plantstems.
We hope this helps! If you’re having trouble growing grass or other plants in your yard, have you discovered clover? Gardeners are returning to recognizingthe benefits of clover in lawn grass mixtures—or even as a replacement for grass. Learnmore about the clover comeback.
If you are interested in replacing your lawn or part of your lawn, discover ground covers which are grass alternatives!
As a seasoned horticulturist and gardening enthusiast with years of hands-on experience, I understand the challenges that gardeners face, especially when dealing with difficult areas in their landscapes. My expertise in plant selection, cultivation practices, and landscape design positions me well to guide you through the perplexing task of choosing suitable ground cover plants.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and provide comprehensive information:
Groundcovers:
Groundcovers are low-growing perennial plants that typically don't exceed a few inches in height. They serve various purposes in landscaping, including:
-
Areas with Poor Grass Growth:
- Solution: Groundcovers thrive in areas where traditional grass struggles, especially in shady spots under trees.
-
Slopes and Hillsides:
- Solution: Groundcovers effectively cover slopes or steep hillsides, preventing erosion and reducing the need for challenging mowing.
-
Hot, Dry Areas:
- Solution: Drought-resistant groundcovers like sedum are suitable for hot, dry regions with minimal irrigation.
-
Bordering Patios, Driveways, and High-Traffic Areas:
- Solution: Groundcovers can be used to enhance aesthetics and withstand high foot traffic better than traditional grass.
-
Floral Interest and Pollinator Support:
- Solution: Groundcovers contribute to the visual appeal of a landscape with flowering colors and attract pollinators.
Featured Low-Maintenance Ground Cover Plants:
-
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi):
- Tolerant of poor soil, grows in sun or shade.
- Evergreen with small, glossy leaves turning red in autumn.
- Produces white flowers in spring and red berries in summer.
-
Hen-and-Chicks (Sempervivum):
- Thrives in hot, dry places and serves as a living mulch.
- Multiplies quickly, preventing weed growth.
-
Sedums:
- Drought-resistant, with fleshy stems and roots storing water.
- Examples include 'John Creech' and 'Fuldaglut,' suitable for Zones 3-10.
-
Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera):
- Thrives in hot spots or sandy areas with full sun.
- Maintains thick foliage and blooms abundantly in early spring.
-
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia):
- Ideal shade groundcover with fluffy white flowers.
- Tolerant of various growing conditions in Zones 3-9.
-
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum):
- Sun-loving perennial herb with small lavender flowers.
-
Blue Fescue Grasses (Festuca glauca):
- Ornamental grass for dry, hot spots, adding texture to the landscape.
-
Creeping Junipers (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'):
- Suitable for parched areas, low-maintenance, hardy to Zone 3.
-
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odorata):
- Low-growing groundcover for shady spots with fragrant leaves and white flowers.
-
Lamium (Deadnettle):
- Ideal for shady areas, covers large spaces, deer-resistant, and thrives year-round.
Planting Ground Cover:
-
Spacing Guidelines:
- Follow plant tag instructions for spacing; typically, spacing is equal to the maximum width of the plants.
- Examples: 6 inches apart for 20 sq ft, 12 inches apart for 85 sq ft, and 18 inches apart for 200 sq ft.
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Preparation:
- Eliminate weeds and grass before planting.
- Use methods like hoeing, tilling, or solarizing the soil with clear plastic.
-
Planting Process:
- Add composted manure to the planting site.
- Zigzag rows for planting, ensuring proper depth and width.
- Mulch around plants, leaving a gap to prevent stem rot.
This comprehensive guide will help you choose, plant, and maintain low-maintenance ground cover plants for challenging areas in your garden, ensuring a vibrant and visually appealing landscape.
