Groundcovers are a valuable component of any landscape. These low, creeping perennial plants are perfect along walkways, borders, rock gardens or as a living carpet. Most attract pollinating insects. Groundcovers will add beauty, texture and interest to your landscape.
Groundcovers for sun:
- Snow in summer (cerastium tomentosum): This tough as nails creeper has striking silver foliage which contrasts nicely with other flowering perennials or annuals. Pretty white blooms come out mid-summer. Plant in well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established.
- Creeping Thyme (thymus serpyllum): Perfect in walkways or rock gardens, fragrant creeping thyme can be walked on and is the best choice for planting between flagstone pavers. Minute white, pink or lavender flowers bloom mid-summer and will add a splash of color to any area. Plant in well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established.
- Dragon’s Blood Sedum (sedum spurium ‘dragon’s blood’): An extremely hardy succulent bearing pretty pink flowers mid to late summer. Deep green foliage turns bright red once the weather cools in the fall. Plant in well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established.
For the shade:
- Creeping Jenny (lysimachia nummularia): Also known as Moneywort, this vigorous spreader is great for covering an area quickly. Yellow blooms top the tidy rounded leaves. It likes rich, moist soil.
- Ajuga or Bugleweed (ajuga reptans): This tough perennial comes in a variety of interesting foliage colors. Deep purple, burgundy or reddish-bronze leaves are topped with small spikes of purple flowers early summer. Likes well-drained moist soil.
- Sweet woodruff (gallium odoratum: Perfect for adding fragrance to a shady spot, this charming ground cover bears tiny white flowers late spring. Prefers moist, well-drained soil.
