ANR-0181 Ground Covers
Ground Covers
ANR-0181, Kerry Smith, Extension Home Grounds Program Coordinator. Originally prepared by J. David Williams, Extension Horticulturist, Associate Professor, Horticulture, Auburn University.
Ground 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. Ground 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 |
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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