Ground covers

Garden Great ground covers  


Ground covers

Ground Covers Periwinkle
Periwinkle This species of Periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used ground covers. 5" long) root at the nodes as they go along the ground and quickly spread to form an attractive ground cover. Tubular, lavender blue, phlox-like flowers (to 1 inch across) appear in the leaf axils in spring and continue to flower intermittently throughout summer into fall. Foliage will mound up to 6" tall. Periwinkles are used as a versatile ground cover and provide good cover for bulb beds. It tolerates full shade, but it prefers moist, humusy soils in part shade. This evergreen perennial is similar in all ways to Vinca Major except the flower is a little smaller.

Bigleaf Periwinkle It has solitary violet flowers at the end of the stem. The Greater Periwinkles are an evergreen, creeping plant with long trailing or arching stems. It thrives in shady and damp areas; it will melt in full sun in the southern portion of its range. It is usually sold as an annual in zones 3-5 otherwise perennial. It can be used on banks or in other rough locations provided soil is suitable. Cut it back hard in the spring to rid plants of discolored foliage and to enjoy new growth.
Dwarf Mondo Grass It is also known as Dwarf Lilyturf, Mondo Grass Dwarf and Monkey Grass. This perennial evergreen grows in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Mondo Grasses are symmetrical with a fine texture and has a dense crown. It spreads by underground stems or tubers. This plant is widely used in rock gardens, seashore plantings, borders and groundcovers.
Japanese Spurge The Japanese Spurge plant, Pachysandra terminalis, and also known as Pachysandra, is a shrubby, evergreen ground cover which grows 8-12" high and spreads by rhizomes to form a dense carpet of rich, dark green foliage. Oval leaves (2-4" long) appear primarily in whorls at the stem ends. Flowers are not particularly showy, but on close inspection are quite attractive. It is an excellent selection for shaded areas under shallow-rooted trees. Plant 6 inches apart. This perennial plant needs partial shade to full shade to prosper.
Purple Wintercreeper Euonymus Purple Wintercreeper Euonymus, Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus', also known as Wintercreeper and Wintercreeper Eunonymus, is a dense, woody-stemmed, broadleaf evergreen plant which comes in a variety of forms. It is similar in habit to English ivy, in that it spreads along the ground, rooting as it goes, until it reaches a vertical surface which it then begins to climb. Purple Wintercreepers have inconspicuous, greenish-white flowers that may appear in June. If allowed to climb a wall, tree or other structure, this plant assumes more vine-like characteristics and is more likely to produce flowers, though still sparse and inconspicuous. coloratus. It is one of the most popular evergreen ground covers available in commerce today.
Virginia Creeper The Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a fast-growing, high-climbing vine that attaches itself with tendrils which expand, disk-like, on their tips. The deciduous leaves that radiate outward from a leaf stem, like spokes on a wheel. Each leaflet is about 3"-7" long and an inch or two wide. Also known as Woodbine, it will send up sprouts and seed itself, and established plantings may smother shrubs and trees. Virginia creeper is favored for its brilliant fall foliage and as a manitenance-free ground cover. Where there is nothing to climb, it attaches to the ground with adventitious roots, and makes an excellent cover for slopes or other places where grass is not practical or desired.
Chameleon Plant The Houttuynia ‘Chameleon Plant’, Houttuynia cordata, is one of the most popular ground covers around. They have a fresh, somewhat citrus-like scent when crushed. Use Houttuynia ‘Chameleons’ as a ground cover, in rock gardens, with water plants or in scented gardens.
Lambs Ears Big Ears ‘Big Ears Lamb’s Ear’ is a little bit larger than the average Lamb’s Ear, with a plant height of 10” and a spread of 18-24” and blooms in mid-summer. ‘Big Ears Lamb’s Ear’ needs to be planted in full sun in a well-drained area. It will add texture and color in rock gardens and looks wonderful with Veronica ‘Goodness Grows’, Tradescantia ‘Concord Grape’ or other purple blooming perennials.
Liriope Big Blue The Liriope 'Big Blue', Lirope muscari 'Big Blue', also known as Lirope,is a grass-like foliage set with tall spikes of lavender-blue, hyacinth-like blooms in late summer. Place in location that is well drained.
Liriope Spicata Liriope gracefully fills those spots where nothing else will grow. An excellent groundcover and accent grass.
Liriope Variegated Excellent for edging and ground covers.
Moneywort Golden The Lysimachia ‘Golden Moneywort’, Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea', also known as Creeping Jenny, has dime sized, wonderful evergreen and yellow veined foliage with bright yellow blooms.
Moneywort Goldilocks An attention-getting groundcover that's also a superb addition to patio pots and hanging baskets.
Oriental Limelight It has beautifully marked foliage and is a hardy herbaceous plant, though it will stay evergreen in a mild, sheltered spot.

 

Ground covers