Ground covers
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. This perennial evergreen grows in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. 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. It is intolerant of full sun.
Bigleaf Periwinkle It has solitary violet flowers at the end of the stem. The Greater Periwinkles are an evergreen, creeping plant with long trailing or arching stems. The flowers are carried in the short, ascending stems. It flowers from April through frost. 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.
Dwarf Mondo Grass 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. This perennial evergreen grows in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Mondo Grasses are symmetrical with a fine texture and has a dense crown. It spreads by underground stems or tubers.
Japanese Spurge 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. Flowers are not particularly showy, but on close inspection are quite attractive. 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 is similar in habit to English ivy, in that it spreads along the ground, rooting as it goes, until it reaches a vertical surface which it then begins to climb. 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 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. 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 will thrive in most soils, in sun or partial shade, with or without a structure to climb on.
Chameleon Plant Small white flowers appear from July to August, but sometimes hard to see because of its foliage. It is an extremely hardy ground cover and easy to grow but can become very invasive.
Lambs Ears Big Ears ‘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 It is a very versatile ornamental grass that can be used as a groundcover or garden accent or even in a container. Place in location that is well drained.
Liriope Spicata Large, pale lavender flower spikes bloom in late summer, rising above arching, evergreen tufts of grassy foliage. This Lirope has 3/4" wide grass-like dark green leaves, up to 24" long.
Liriope Variegated Excellent for edging and ground covers.
Moneywort Golden It does need moist soil in a well-drained area, not allowing it to dry out between waterings.
Moneywort Goldilocks This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.
Oriental Limelight The mounding self-branching habit makes 'Oriental Limelight' an ideal companion for many flowering plants.
