Ground Covers

round cover is the name gardeners have given to plants that are low growing and that may cover a large area, usually giving a carpeted effect. Grass is the most widely used ground cover, but grass will not be included in this discussion. Other ground covers give variety to a garden or yard and are extremely useful for covering bare areas where grass will not grow. They are excellent for preventing soil erosion and are especially adapted to areas of high rainfall and humidity.

Many kinds of annuals or perennials may serve as ground covers. They may be as short as grass or as tall as shrubs up to 3 feet high or more.

Landscape Uses

Ground covers used as edging for pathways help regulate foot traffic in the yard or garden. They also tie unrelated shrubs and flowerbeds to the landscape. Many can be used for accent areas under trees and around patios. For banks where mowing is difficult, ground covers may be your answer. A gardener trying to create an interesting landscape design will find the use of ground covers rewarding.

Planting

To prepare the soil, simply till up the entire area you expect to cover and work in 2 inches of peat moss or shredded pine bark. Apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations and work it in well. Water the area thoroughly after planting. Once they become established, ground covers usually maintain themselves with minimum care.

Available Plants

A wide variety of plants is suitable for ground covers. Select those that fit your site and that will grow well in your environment. Here is a list of several good choices. It is far from being a complete list. For more information, contact your county Extension agent or your local garden center.

Name Type Height Sun or Shade

Asiatic Jasmine
   trachelospermum asiaticum Evergreen; trailing vine. Up to 15 inches Part sun to shade

Bugleweed
   Ajuga reptans Creeping perennial; bears blue or purple flowers. 4 to 8 inches Part sun or shade

Cotoneaster,
   C. dammeri Flat, horizontal-growing plant; bears red berries. 18 to 24 inches Full sun

Daylily
   Hemerocallis species Perennial; dies back in winter 24 to 36 inches Sun to part shade

Dwarf Lilyturf
   Ophiopogon japonicus Grass-like, evergreen perennial. Up to 10 inches Part sun to shade

Golden Stonecrop
  Sedum acre Perennial evergreen. Use in a well-drained site Up to 4 inches Full sun

Junipers
Shore—Blue Pacific
and others
   Juniperus conferta
Blue Rug and others
  J. horixontalis Evergreen. Up to 24 inches

Up to 12 inches
Full sun

Lilyturf
   Liriope muscari Grasslike, evergreen perennial. Most selections up to 12 inches Full sun to full shade

Periwinkle
   Vinca minor , Evergreen trailing plant; purple, blue or white flowers Up to 8 inches Part shade

St. Johnswort
   Hypericum calycinum Semievergreen; turns red in fall; yellow flowers in summer. Well-drained sites only 12 to 187 inches Sun to part shade

Strawberry Geranium
  Saxifraga stolonifera Perennial. For site with moist well-drained soil with acidic pH. Up to 12 inches Part shade to shade

Trailing Lantana
   Lantana montevidensis
Shrub Lantana
   Lantana camara Deciduous, trailing shrub; variety of colors available. Variable hardiness 18 to 24 inches Full sun

Kerry Smith, Extension Home Grounds Program Coordinator. Originally prepared by J. David Williams, Extension Horticulturist, Associate Professor, Horticulture, Auburn University.

For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

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