Home Garden
# Home & Garden >> Plants, Flowers & Herbs >> Groundcovers & Vines

What Plants Will Be Classified As a Groundcover?

Ground covers spread to form a dense, low-growing mat, mound or clump of foliage that helps prevent run-off, soil erosion and weed growth. Though the most commonly used ground cover is turf grass, there are other choices, many of which use less water and require less fertilizer than grass. Ground covers range in height from 1 inch to 4 feet, and generally grow wider than they are tall. These versatile plants can be deciduous or evergreen, and come in a variety of colors, textures and cultural requirements.

  1. Clumping

    • Clumping species grow in compact clumps and can be used to complement hedges or walkways. The cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) grows to 18 inches tall with an equal spread and blooms with red, purple and pink flowers in late spring to early summer. It prefers shady sites and is hardy in zones 3 to 8.

      Blue fescue (Festuca ovina var. glauca) also grows in clumps. This blue-green ornamental grass has thin, pointed fronds and forms light yellow inflorescences in midsummer. Plant in sun to partial shade in zones 4 to 9.

    Spreading

    • Spreading ground covers grow outward more than they do upward. Woolly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa) spreads rapidly and produces bright yellow flowers that contrast with its aromatic, gray-green foliage. This evergreen prefers full sun and well-drained soil and is hardy in zones 3 to 8. It grows to 1 foot tall.

      Marlberry (Ardisia japonica) grows from 8 to 12 inches tall but spreads into a dense mat of glossy, serrated evergreen foliage. Marlberry produces pink and white spring flowers followed by long-lasting red berries. Plant in zones 7 to 9 in cool, moist, shady sites. .

    Evergreen

    • Evergreen groundcovers provide year-round color and texture with their lasting foliage. They can be narrow leaved or broad leaved. Japanese juniper (Juniperus procumbens) grows from 18 to 30 inches tall and spreads into a dense mat. Hardy in zones 6 to 8, this evergreen prefers full sun. Japanese junipers have narrow-leaved foliage.

      Heart leaf ginger (Asarum virginicum) spreads slowly into a mat of heart-shaped, green-and-white variegated foliage. This evergreen grows to 8 inches tall and prefers shade and moist soil. It is hardy in zones 5 to 8 and is a broadleaved plant.

    Deciduous

    • Deciduous ground covers lose their foliage in winter, but often compensate with attractive flowers or fall color. Cushion spurge (Euphorbia polychroma) grows in a 10- to 18-inch-tall mound of stemless, green foliage that turns red in fall. Cushion spurge produces bracts of bright greenish-yellow flowers. This drought-tolerant plant prefers sun to light shade and loose soil. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8.

      Petite pink Scotch rose (Rosa x "Petite Pink") grows from 2 to 3 feet tall but quickly spreads in a rounded mound. It produces a profusion of light pink flowers in late spring and tolerates drought. Plant the petite pink Scotch rose in full sun.

Previous:

Next:

Groundcovers & Vines
  1. What Plants Will Voles Not Eat?
  2. What Will Kill Bugs on a Rubber Plant?
  3. What is a Mandevilla Plant?
  4. What Kills Honeysuckle?
  5. What Grows Best With Cactus?
  6. What Grows Best Next to Eggplants?
  7. Gray Border Plants
  8. What Plants Have Thorns & Fruit?
  9. What Plants Like Shade?
  10. What Grows with Hydrangeas?
  11. What Grows Good With Strawberries?
  12. What Temperatures Will Kill Tomato Plants?

Home Garden © https://www.98905.com