Ground Cover Perennials

USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 3

• Common bearberry, creeping phlox, lily-of-the-valley and the woodland white violet are capable of surviving year to year in USDA zone 2 as ground cover. Massachusetts is an evergreen form of bearberry for zone 2, growing to 12 inches, generating red berries and appropriate as a ground cover, especially near azaleas. For zone 3, consider bugleweed cultivars like Burgundy Glow and Purple Torch as ground cover; both grow to just 9 inches. Siberian bugloss cultivars, including Langtrees, spread via a system of creeping rhizomes in zone 3. Langtrees produces flowers resembling forget-me-nots.

Zones 4 to 5

• In zones 4 and 5, plant Chinese astilbe in your shady spots that could use some ground cover. Adapted to the shade, cultivars such as Darwin's Surprise grow to 12 inches, generate pink July flowers and appreciate moist soil. Bishop's hat, including its hybrid and cultivar forms, is an option for beneath trees in zones 4 and 5. This southern European import develops to 9 inches, with its flowers above the foliage. Creeping Jenny, spotted deadnettle, lungwort and stonecrop are other possible ground cover perennials for these zones.

Zones 6 to 7

• The damp grounds in USDA zones 6 and 7 support the growth of grassy-leaved sweet flag. This Asian perennial thrives in wet areas, and it develops into a thick, semi-evergreen ground cover. Dwarf-crested iris, coral bells, Pig Squeak, oregano, phlox, lamb's ear and foam flower work well in both zones for this purpose. The aromatic aster, a full-sun species, attracts butterflies. This species grows to 24 inches and is tolerant of drought.

Zones 8 to 10

• Mistflower is suitable as an annual outside of warm zones such as 8, 9 and 10. It is a perennial in these zones, growing to 18 inches in sunny sites and generating powder-blue flowers. Plant Kenilworth ivy in the shade within these zones. It grows to just 3 inches tall, but its evergreen leaves are abundant, allowing it to fill in a small area. Ice plant, pennywort, evolvulus and pratia all work as perennial ground cover in all three of these zones.