Ground covers
Phlox Candy Stripe The Phlox ‘Candy Stripe’, Phlox subulata, is an ideal ground cover with masses of tiny white flowers with a pink mid-stripe and a thick mat of semi-evergreen foliage. Blooming from April to May, it has a plant height of 6” and a spread of 12-18”. It is a definite addition to any perennial garden. ‘Candy Stripe’ needs to be planted in a full sun area in well-drained soil. Use ‘Candy Stripe’ in rock gardens, as a spread over curbs and short retaining walls, or in difficult edges of dry streambeds.
Bigleaf Periwinkle The Bigleaf Periwinkle, Vinca major, is also known as Greater (rosy) Periwinkle, Big Perwinkle and Large Periwinkle. The leaves are dark green and bigger than that of vinca minor. This ornamental plant is fast growing. The Greater Periwinkles are an evergreen, creeping plant with long trailing or arching stems. The flowers are carried in the short, ascending stems. 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. 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. 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. 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 features lustrous, ovate to elliptic, dark green leaves (1-2" long) which turn dark purple in fall and winter. 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. It is one of the most popular evergreen ground covers available in commerce today. This plant is a good ground cover for slopes.
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. Each leaflet is about 3"-7" long and an inch or two wide. The individual flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, and arranged in elaborate long-stemmed clusters, with each flower at the tip of its own flower stem. The berries are blue-black, less than a half-inch across and much relished by birds. Virginia creeper is favored for its brilliant fall foliage and as a manitenance-free ground cover.
Chameleon Plant Being similar in shape to English Ivy, it features boldly variegated leaves of red, pink, white, green, and yellow with a plant height of 15”. Houttuynia requires light shade and needs a consistently moist soil in a well-drained area.
Lambs Ears Big Ears The Stachys ‘Big Ears Lamb’s Ear’, Stachys byzantina 'Helen von Stein', is known for its soft, fuzzy, silvery green foliage. ‘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. ) It may not look extremely good in the summer time, but will recover in the fall.
Liriope Big Blue The Lirope 'Big Blue' is slow spreading. It is a very versatile ornamental grass that can be used as a groundcover or garden accent or even in a container.
Liriope Spicata Liriope gracefully fills those spots where nothing else will grow. Large, pale lavender flower spikes bloom in late summer, rising above arching, evergreen tufts of grassy foliage.
Liriope Variegated Excellent for edging and ground covers.
Moneywort Golden With a plant height of 6”, ‘Golden Moneywort’ is known as being a little invasive.
Moneywort Goldilocks This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.
Oriental Limelight An aggressive grower with variegated lemon yellow and green foliage.
