It’s creeping, climbing, and trailing habit make it ideal for a whole host of scenarios, and it can grow in the shade, so it is able to grow under cover of trees where many other plants cannot grow. It covers the ground so heavily that it works very well to prevent weeds from growing and also holds the ground together well to prevent soil erosion. English Ivy (Hedera helix)Įnglish Ivy is an enormously popular choice for ground cover as it can create a dense blanket of cover in a relatively short amount of time and requires practically no care at all. As with all evergreens, this plant provides year-round interest in the garden, though the production of both the flowers and the berries give the plant a changing seasonal interest. This plant is predominantly used as a medium to large-scale ground cover, though it can also be used successfully in rock gardens, containers, or draping over walls. Though these fruits are edible, they are not cultivated for consumption as they are considered bland, though they are popular among birds and other small creatures. Once the flowers have gone, the plant produces spherical, red fruits that resemble berries. The small flowers are just a quarter-inch long and are creamy pink. Spring also brings with it an abundance of clustered flowers that bloom early in the season, usually in April or May. This plant is very attractive, with dark green shiny foliage that bronzes over winter before transforming back to green in springtime. It has a slow creeping habit, typically growing to between 3 and 6 feet wide by rooting at nodes that come into contact with the ground. It is known for growing well in poor or infertile soil, though given a choice, it would ideally like to be in a well-draining, moderately moist soil, in full sun. It actually fares much better in low temperatures than it does in high temperatures and will struggle to grow well in hot or humid environments. Native to North America, Asia, and Europe, this low-growing shrub is exceptionally winter hardy and makes excellent ground cover in colder climates. Over winter, the leaves do tend to yellow, but being an evergreen, the plant does not lose its leaves. Japanese spurge does produce a small white flower, but these are fairly inconsequential, and in fact, the plant is usually grown just for its leathery green foliage. Keep it under control with annual pruning in spring. The plant’s ability to withstand less than ideal conditions has led to it also becoming a mildly invasive species in some areas. The hardy nature of this plant has its obvious benefits, but being so tough also has its drawbacks. As an added bonus, this plant is also resistant to most pests. It enjoys an acidic soil that is high in organic material, but it will still grow well in poor soil, including high clay content. Once mature, it can continue to thrive even with very little moisture. It is also tolerant of drought, though it needs plentiful water when young to help it become established. It likes to be in partial to full shade, which makes it useful for planting in dark corners of gardens or shaded areas under trees. This is a tough ground cover plant that is tolerant of many conditions that other plants would not survive. Mature stems may not re-flower, so pruning stems is necessary to encourage new blooms. In general, this is an easy-growing plant, though some maintenance is required to keep it flourishing. It can also tolerate a variety of soil conditions but would prefer a well-draining, moist soil. However, if you’re looking for a quick fix to cover a vacant space in your garden, then creeping phlox might not be the answer as it only grows at a moderate speed, with a height of around 5 inches and spread of 2 feet.Ĭreeping phlox is versatile because it can grow in full sun to partial shade, though it would prefer full sun given the option. The stems, which turn woody over time, have a spreading habit that makes them an ideal candidate for pretty flowering ground cover. Its evergreen foliage is needle-like, and the starry flowers come in pastel shades of lavender, pink, blue, and white, blooming in spring. This cascading plant works well in a variety of situations, from ground cover to rockeries, container planters, and hanging baskets.
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