Groundcovers
Bearberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri) - Evergreen groundcover with small white flowers in May followed by bright red berries in fall. Fast, prostrate growth to 4"-6" tall and spreading to 10' wide. Good selections for groundcover: 'Strieb's Findling' and Canadian Creeper™. Drought tolerant. Plant in sun to part shade.
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) - Masses of bright white flowers in spring. Plant in full to part sun. Grows to 8-12" tall and spreads to 1'-11/2' wide. Lightly shear back after bloom to promote bushier growth.
Lamb's Ears (Stachys byzantina) - Soft, woolly, silvery leaves grown in dense rosettes low to the ground. Provides color and texture contrast to other plants. Plant in full sun to light shade. Drought tolerant. Spreads up to 2' or more.
Juniper (Juniperus spp.) - A large family of shrubs with some low growers that do well as drought tolerant, low-maintenance, evergreen ground covers. Some suggested varieties: Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus chinensis procumbens 'Nana'. Spreads to 12'-20'.), Blue Rug creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis wiltonii: Spreads to 8'-10'.), and Shore juniper (Juniperus conferta. Spreads 6'-S').
Thyme (Thymus spp.) - An aromatic herb of the mint family. Prostrate forms such as creeping thyme (T. praecox arcticus) and woolly thyme (T. pseudo/anuginosus) make good small-scale ground covers or between flag stones in paths. Best in warm, well-drained soil. Spreads to IS" to 24".
Purple Leaf Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei var. co[oratus) - Sprawling. evergreen vining shrub. Leaves turn dark purple in fall and winter. The variegated form (E. fortunei 'Gracillis') has dark green leaves edged in white. Plant in sun to part sun. Spreads 4' to 6'.
Sedum spp. (Sedum species and cuftivars) - Low-growing succulent plants of excellent texture. Many colors and textures available. Drought tolerant. Spread varies by species/cultivar. Some are evergreen: S. rupestre 'Blue Spruce', S. cauticofa, S. tectractinum, S. sexangulare, S. bithynicum, S. oreganum, and Sedum x 'Mentha. Requienii'.
Groundcovers for Shade
Bishop's Weed/Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum') - Light green divided leaves with white margins glow in the shade. Vigorous spreader that can become invasive, spreading indefinitely. Control by growing in poor soil in the shade. Grows to about 6" tall. Deciduous. Drought tolerant.
Creeping Liriope/Lilvturf (Liriope spicata) - Dense evergreen groundcover with deep green, grassy foliage. Grows 8"-9" high. Spreads widely and can be invasive. 'Silver Dragon' has silvery, white-striped leaves.
Dwarf Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumpaginoides) - Deep gentian blue flowers grace this creeping perennial in late summer and fall followed by red autumn foliage. Does well in dry shade. Spreads to l' or more.
Epimedium (Epimedium spp.) - Creeping evergreen or deciduous plants with attractive arrow-shaped foliage and dainty white, yellow, pink, or red flowers in spring. Deer resistant. Spreads slowly to 3' to 4'.
Himalayan Sweet Box (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis) - Dense, glossy evergreen groundcover slowly spreading to 8' or more. Looks great even in winter. Small, fragrant, star-like flowers in late winter (mostly hidden by foliage) followed by glossy, blue-black berries
Japanese Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) - Clean green or white-variegated foliage is attractive and unique on this evergreen groundcover. Well able to compete with tree roots. Deer resistant. Drought tolerant. Spreads indefinitely in loose soil.
Mazus (Mazus reptans) - lilac-lavender or white flowers all summer on a tight- to-the-ground light green groundcover. Prefers moist conditions and is good in areas of poor drainage. Plant in part shade with some filtered light or morning sun.
Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon .japonicus) - Tufted dumps of evergreen, grass-like leaves. Makes an excellent, low-maintenance replacement for grass in shady areas and never needs mowing. Dwarf form grows to about 3" and is spreads more slowly.
Periwinkle (Vinca major, V. minor) - V. major or Greater Periwinkle is a fast-growing, aggressive spreader usually sold in the variegated variety, which has green leaves with creamy white margins. V. minor or Common Periwinkle is a vigorous, prostrate, evergreen groundcover with glossy green leaves. Both have lovely lavender-blue, star-like flowers in spring. Both can also be invasive. Prefers moist soil.
Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum) - Contrary to its dreary-sounding name, this Is a lovely low perennial for groundcover. Mint-green leaves have silver centers and glow in shady comers. Pretty hooded flowers are pink or white and bloom in spring to early summer. Grows to 2-3'. May disappear temporarily during hot summer months and re-appear in autumn.
Asian Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) - A great groundcover with dark, glossy green leaves and profusions of starry, creamy-white, fragrant flowers in summer. Plant in winter-protected location. Grows to 10' to 12' or more.
St. John's Wort/Aaronsbeard (Hypericum calycinum) - Fast-growing, evergreen shrublet spreads vigorously by underground stems. Will compete successfully with trees, take poor soil, and control erosion on hillsides thus making it a very useful groundcover. The 3" wide, bright yellow flowers borne throughout summer and attractive foliage make it a pretty one! Trim or mow tops every 2 to 3 years during the dormant season. Best in part shade (a little sun is good). Spreads to 18" to 24".
Groundcovers for Sun or Shade
Carpet Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) - Violet, pink, or white flowers in spring to early summer over clumps of dark green, burgundy-bronze or variegated foliage. Plant in part sun or shade avoiding afternoon sun. Do not plant near lawns as it will invade. Deer resistant. Spreads indefinitely.
Creeping Jenny/Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia) - Evergreen creeping plant with long runners of pretty chartreuse-green, rounded leaves. Nice spilling over a wall or hanging basket. Good near streams. Spreads indefinitely in moist soil and requires regular water if planted in full sun.
Creeping Raspberry (Rubus pentalobus) - Prostrate evergreen groundcover with handsome rounded, leathery,
shallowly lobed, dark green leaves. Saucer shaped, white flowers in summer followed by peachy-pink "raspberries". Plant in sun to part shade. Spreads to 10' to 20'.
Creeping/Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) - Evergreen with needle-like leaves on creeping stems that form 6" tall mats. Sheets of brilliant pink, lavender, white, or rose flowers cover the plants in spring. Plant in full sun or light shade. Spreads to 3'.
We carry “Stepables” too!
A unique selection of perennial groundcovers that tolerate a range of light to medium foot traffic.
Look for them on our perennial tables.
