General Information on Groundcovers

Groundcovers:

  • Are the most commonly used landscape plant material next to turfgrass
  • There are fewer species than other landscape plant categories, but they are used more widely in landscapes
  • They provide a transition from turfgrass to larger landscape plants
  • They can be used where turfgrass cannot:
    • Steep slopes
    • Deep shade
  • They are often used around other larger plants as part of a planting bed
  • They provide soil stabilization

Groundcovers for Full Sun to Part Shade:

  • Daylily
  • Liriope
  • Creeping Lilyturf
  • Leadwort, Plumbago
  • Creeping Phlox, Moss Pink, Thrift
  • Blue Fescue
  • Bigleaf Periwinkle
  • Purpleleaf Wintercreeper
  • ‘Emerald Gaiety’ Wintercreeper
  • ‘Emerald & Gold’ Wintercreeper
  • ‘Moonshadow’ Wintercreeper
  • Shore Juniper
  • Creeping Juniper (‘Blue Rug,’ ‘Blue Clips/Blue Chips,’ etc.)
  • Japanese Garden Juniper
  • ‘Broadmoor’ Savin Juniper
  • ‘Blue Star’ Juniper
  • Dwarf Willowleaf Cotoneaster
  • Bearded Iris
  • Candytuft
  • English Ivy
  • Chameleon Plant, Houttuynia
  • Sedum spp.

Groundcovers for Part Shade to Full Shade:

  • Bishopweed
  • Blue Fescue
  • Creeping Buttercup
  • English Ivy
  • Japanese Spurge, Pachysandra
  • Bugleweed, Ajuga
  • Lily-of-the-Valley
  • Plantain Lily, Hosta
  • Lenten Rose
  • Wild Ginger
  • Heuchera (Coralbells, Alumroot)
  • Vinca, Periwinkle, Cemetery Vine
  • Bigleaf Periwinkle
  • Purpleleaf Wintercreeper
  • ‘Emerald Gaiety’ Wintercreeper
  • ‘Emerald & Gold’ Wintercreeper
  • ‘Moonshadow’ Wintercreeper
  • Spotted Deadnettle
  • Mondo Grass
  • Japanese Painted Fern

Groundcovers for Dry Soil Sites:

  • Creeping Phlox
  • Shore Juniper
  • Shore Juniper
  • Creeping Juniper (‘Blue Rug,’ ‘Blue Clips/Blue Chips,’ etc.)
  • Japanese Garden Juniper
  • ‘Broadmoor’ Savin Juniper
  • ‘Blue Star’ Juniper
  • Bearded Iris
  • Sedum spp.

Groundcovers that need Moist Soil Sites (continuous adequate moisture):

  • Bishopweed, Bishop Goutweed
  • Creeping Buttercup
  • Japanese Spurge, Pachysandra
  • Heuchera (Coralbells, Alumroot)
  • Wild Ginger
  • Lily-of-the-Valley
  • Plantain Lily, Hosta
  • Bigleaf Periwinkle
  • Vinca minor, Periwinkle (somewhat)
  • Spotted Deadnettle
  • Mondo Grass
  • Japanese Painted Fern

Most Adaptable Groundcovers: (assuming sun/shade requirements are met)

  • Daylily
  • Bearded Iris
  • Plantain Lily, Hosta
  • English Ivy
  • Liriope
  • Creeping Lilyturf
  • Purpleleaf Wintercreeper
  • ‘Emerald Gaiety’ Wintercreeper
  • ‘Emerald & Gold’ Wintercreeper
  • Lenten Rose
  • Chameleon Plant, Houttuynia
  • Shore Juniper
  • Creeping Juniper (‘Blue Rug,’ ‘Blue Clips/Blue Chips,’ etc.)
  • Japanese Garden Juniper
  • ‘Broadmoor’ Savin Juniper
  • Sedum spp.
  • Leadwort, Plumbago

Groundcovers that are Actually Vines and May Climb Walls or Trees:

  • Purpleleaf Wintercreeper
  • ‘Emerald Gaiety’ Wintercreeper
  • ‘Emerald & Gold’ Wintercreeper
  • ‘Moonshadow’ Wintercreeper
  • English Ivy