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Ground covers
Silver Mound The Artemisia ‘Silver Mound’, Artemisia schmidtiana, is a wonderful soft, silky, silver-gray accent that is useful in many gardens. ‘Silver Mound’ is a non-spreader and produces small yellow flowers. The foliage has wonderful fragrance. With a height of 12"-14" and a plant spread of 12"-24", this plant cannot be passed up. ‘Silver Mound’ needs full sun and will grow well in average, well-drained soil. Its excellent foliage goes great in front of borders to set your garden apart from the rest. Try ‘Silver Mound’ with Echinacea ‘Purple Coneflower’ or Rudbeckia ‘Black Eyed Susan’ to add interest in your garden or to accent fresh or dried flower arrangements.
Bigleaf Periwinkle The leaves are dark green and bigger than that of vinca minor. It has solitary violet flowers at the end of the stem. The leaves are shiny, bright-green and broad with a blunt base with hairy margins. 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 Dwarf Mondo Grass, Ophiopogon japonicus, is an ornamental grass which grows to 4" in height and is closely related to the liriope. It is also known as Dwarf Lilyturf, Mondo Grass Dwarf and Monkey Grass. Tiny, pale lavender flowers on short stalks bloom in summer are often hidden by the leaves. Mondo Grasses are symmetrical with a fine texture and has a dense crown. It spreads by underground stems or tubers.
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. Tiny white flowers in 1-2" long, terminal (hence the species name) spikes bloom in early spring. Pachysandra can be used as a lawn substitute in shaded non-traffic areas and ground cover for shade areas. It is an excellent selection for shaded areas under shallow-rooted trees. Plant 6 inches apart.
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. Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' (commonly called purple wintercreeper euonymus, is primarily a trailing ground cover form which typically grows to 6-9" tall and spreads indefinitely by rooting stems as a sprawling, tangled, bushy mat. It features lustrous, ovate to elliptic, dark green leaves (1-2" long) which turn dark purple in fall and winter. The flowers are at best sparse, but are usually not present. This plant is a good ground cover for slopes. It is also used for container plantings, massing and erosion control.
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 leaves turn fiery red in fall and are very showy. Easy to grow, the Virginia Creeper can get out of hand if not managed. 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.
Lambs Ears Big Ears With spikes of purplish pink small flowers, it has a wonderful effect on any garden. ‘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.
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. The Lirope 'Big Blue' is slow spreading.
Liriope Spicata The Liriope, 'Spicata', also known as Lirope, is an almost indestructible plant for stubborn areas. Large, pale lavender flower spikes bloom in late summer, rising above arching, evergreen tufts of grassy foliage. An excellent groundcover and accent grass.
Liriope Variegated The Liriope 'Variegated', Lirope muscari 'Variegata', also known as Lirope variegated lily-turf, is as it's name implies, a variegated border grass.
Moneywort Goldilocks This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.
Oriental Limelight An aggressive grower with variegated lemon yellow and green foliage.
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