Just
as a spectacular area rug can add life and warmth
to a room, the right groundcover can do the same
to complement a landscape or garden, taking it
from "nice yard" to a stunning landscape.
Do you need an erosion controller for that slope
you can't get anything else to grow on? Need to
replace the need for so much mulch? Or, are looking
to fill those spaces between stepping stones or
pavers? It's not too late to get a new cover on
the ground: groundcovers. Ranging in height from
an inch to four feet, groundcover plants serve
several purposes. They not only provide soil cover,
but they also slow weed growth and prevent soil
from erosion. For many gardeners, they're the
best answer to problem areas where too much sun
or barely a ray falls, or where too dry or too
moist conditions are a turnoff for other greenery.
Below is a listing of groundcovers that perform
well in Zone
8.
|
Name: |
Asian
Jasmine |
Botanical: |
|
Height
x Width: |
6-8"
H - Space 18-24" apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Fast growing evergreen
groundcover with rich green,
glossy foliage. |
Companions: |
Abelias,
Azaleas, Barberries, Cleyera,
Gardenias, Hollies, Upright
Junipers, Mahonias, Aucubas,
Loropetalums, Indian Hawthorne,
Ornamental Grasses, all
types of trees, and many
more. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Blue
Star Creeper |
Botanical: |
Laurentia / Isotoma |
Height
x Width: |
1/2"
H - Space 15-18" apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Partial Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
Blue |
Bloom
Time: |
April to Frost! |
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Fast spreading, matt-forming
groundcover is excellent
for use between stepping
stones. We consider this
to be the best plant for
use between stepping stones
in Zone
8. |
Companions: |
Useful as
a groundcover in perennial
and rose gardens, shrub
beds, or between stepping
stones. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Cotoneaster
'Scarlet Leader' |
Botanical: |
Cotoneaster |
Height
x Width: |
2'H
x 3'+W / Space 3' apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Partial Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
White followed ball red
berries in Fall |
Bloom
Time: |
Spring |
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Low mounding
shrub most often used as
a groundcover on embankments
or to cascade over walls.
White flowers that cover
the branches in Spring are
followed by red berries
in Fall. |
Companions: |
Indian
Hawthorne, Carissa Holly,
Cleyera, Loropetalums, Ornamental
grasses, Yucca, Rosy Glow
barberry, and many more.
Excellent asan underplanting
for small trees such as
Crape Myrtles and Japanese
Maples. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Creeping
Fig |
Botanical: |
Ficus |
Height
x Width: |
2-3"H
x 18"+W / Space 18-24"
apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Mostly Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Fast growing climber or
groundcover will climb an
8' wall in 1 year! |
Companions: |
Best planted
on south or east wall. Grows
on brick, stone, or stucco. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Creeping
Jenny |
Botanical: |
Lysimachia |
Height
x Width: |
2"H
x 18"+W / SPace 18-24"
apart |
Exposure: |
Sun or Shade |
Water: |
Low once esablished |
Features: |
Outstanding,
bright golden leaves on
this matt-forming, fast
growing evergreen. Useful
as a groundcover or between
stepping stones. One of
the best steppables. |
Companions: |
Use
as a groundcover in shady
or sunny garden or between
stepping stones. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Creeping
Raspberry |
Botanical: |
|
Height
x Width: |
6-8"H
- Space 2-3' apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Partial Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Crinkled
leaves are very attractive
on this fast spreadin groundcover
excellent on the border
of islands, around sitting
areas, or as an erosion
controller on embankments.
Foliage becomes maroon tinted
in Fall. |
Companions: |
Hollies,
Upright Junipers, Rosy Glow
Barberry, Loropetalums,
Yucca, Indian Hawthorne,
Ornamental Grasses, and
more. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Creeping
Yew |
Botanical: |
Cephalotaxis harringtonia |
Height
x Width: |
18-24"H
- Space 3' apart |
Exposure: |
Shade or Afternoon Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
The dark
blue-green needle-like foliage
on this low and mounding
plant provides a unique
contrast in shady gardens.
Use as a border or plant
in mass. |
Companions: |
Azaleas,
Aucubas, Mahonia, Nandinas,
Hydrangeas, Florida Anise,
Hosta Lilies, Perennial
Ferns, Heucheras, and many
other shrubs and perennials. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Dianthus
(Perennial) |
Botanical: |
Dianthus |
Height
x Width: |
4-6"H
- Space 18-24" apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun |
Bloom
Color: |
Red, Fushia, Pink, or
white shades |
Bloom
Time: |
Spring into Summer |
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Attractive silver to grey
evergreen foliage becomes
covered in Spring with fragrant
flowers. |
Companions: |
Excellent
as a border in sunny shrub
beds or along a walkway
or path. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Purple
Winter Creeper |
Botanical: |
Euonymus coloratus |
Height
x Width: |
8-10"
H - Space 2' apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Full Shade! |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Very drought tolerant |
Features: |
The most
adaptable groundcover we
know of! Handsome dark green
foliage turns to burgundy-red
in Winter. Useful as a groundcover
in sunny or shady islands
or embankments, foundation
plantings, and under decks
and large trees. |
Companions: |
An excellent
groundcover under large
trees or on slopes. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Ice
Plant |
Botanical: |
Delosperma cooperi |
Height
x Width: |
3-4"H
- Space 18-24" apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Partial Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
Purple, Yellow, or Salmon
('Mesa Verde') |
Bloom
Time: |
April to Frost |
Water: |
Very drought tolerant |
Features: |
Purple,
Yellow, or salmon-pink flowers
are repoduced in abundance
atop the evergreen matt-forming
succulent foliage. Useful
as a groundcover or border
in islands, perennial or
rock gardens, or foundation
plantings. |
Companions: |
Combines
nicely with just about any
other plants. Knockout Rose,
Stella De Oro Daylily, Barberries,
Yuccas, and Abelias to name
just a few. |
|
|
|
Name: |
English
Ivy |
Botanical: |
Hedera helix |
Height
x Width: |
6-8"H
- Space 18-36" apart |
Exposure: |
Shade or Afternoon Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established. |
Features: |
Perhaps
the most popular of Ivies.
Highly ornamental, glossy
foliage. Useful as a groundcover
in larger islands or on
embankments. |
Companions: |
Dogwoods,
Redbuds, Azaleas, Mahonias,
Aucubas, Nandinas, Anise,
Hydrangeas, and other plants
and trees that prefer afternoon
shade. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Wilson
Ivy |
Botanical: |
Hedera |
Height
x Width: |
4-6"H
- Space 18-24" apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Highly
ornamental Ivy excellent
for use as a groundcover
or to climb walls or structures
such as the mailbox shown
in the picture to the left.
A Wilson Bros. Favorite! |
Companions: |
Just
about any shrubs or trees
that grow in sun or shade!
|
|
|
|
Name: |
Juniber
'Bar Harbor' |
Botanical: |
Juniperus horizontalis |
Height
x Width: |
4-6"
H - Space 4-6' apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Fast growing
groundhugging Juniper excellent
for use on embankments or
as a groundcover in the
borders of islands or foundation
plantings. Much faster growing
that Blue Rug. |
Companions: |
Use
as a groundcover around
Hollies, Junipers, Spireas,
Abelias. Lantanas, Barberries,
Loropetalums, and many many
more. Also good for underplant
small trees such as Crape
Myrtles and Japanese Maples. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Juniper
'Blue Pacific' |
Botanical: |
Juniperus conferta |
Height
x Width: |
10-12"
H - Space 3-6' apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or light shade |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Trailing
habit with attractive fur-like
blue foliage. Fast growing
groundcover excellent for
covering large embankments. |
Companions: |
Hollies,
Indian Hawthorne, Rosy Glow
Barberries, Yucca, Loropetalums,
and many more. Also good
for underplanting small
trees such as Crape Myrtles
or Japanese Maples. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Juniper
'Blue Rug' |
Botanical: |
Juniperus wiltonii |
Height
x Width: |
3-4"
H - Space 2-4' apart |
Exposure: |
Ful Sun or light shade |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Silver-Blue
foliage on this ground-hugging
Juniper excellent as a groundcover
in foundation plantings,
the borders of islands,
or to underplant small trees
such as the Laceleaf Japanese
Maples. |
Companions: |
Hollies,
Indian Hawthornes, Spireas,
Abelias, Barberries, Loropetalums,
Ornamental Grasses, Laceleaf
Japanese Maples, Daylilies,
and many many more. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Juniper
'Green Mound' |
Botanical: |
Juniperus procumbens
'Nana' |
Height
x Width: |
5-6"
H - Space 3-5' apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or light shade |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Outstanding
blue foliage that mounds
at the center and is trailing.
Excellent as a groundcover
on embankments, borders
of islands or to underplant
small trees such as Japanese
Maples. |
Companions: |
Hollies,
Indian Hawthornes, Abelias,
Barberries, Loropetalums,
Ornamental Grasses, Japanese
Maples, Daylilies, and many
more. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Juniper
'Parsoni' |
Botanical: |
Juniperus parsonii |
Height
x Width: |
18-24"
H - Space 4-6' apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or light shade |
Bloom
Color: |
|
Bloom
Time: |
|
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Handsome
dark blue-green foliage
with a branching habit.
Exceelent on embankments,
the edges of islands, to
underplant small trees such
as Crape Myrtles, or upright
Japanese Maples. Very hardy
and pest resistant. |
Companions: |
Rosy
Glow Barberry, Hollies,
Indian Hawthorne, Yucca,
Upright Japanese Maples,
Ornamental Grasses, Cleyera,
Loropetalums, and many more. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Liriope
'Big Blue' - (Monkey Grass) |
Botanical: |
Liriope muscari |
Height
x Width: |
12" H
- Space 15-18" apart |
Exposure: |
Shade or afternoon shade |
Bloom
Color: |
Violet-Purple |
Bloom
Time: |
Summer |
Water: |
Very drought tolerant |
Features: |
The violet-purple
flower spikes rise above
the dark blue-green grassy
foliage in Summer. 'Big
Blue' Liriope forms neat
clumps and does not become
invasive like other older
varieties of Liriope. Easy
to grow and useful as a
groundcover or border in
situations with afternoon
sahde or shade. You can't
kill this one! |
Companions: |
Useful
to underplant small trees
such as Japanese Maples,
as a groundcover under large
shade trees, or a border
in islands or foundation
plantings. Space 15-18"
apart. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Liriope
'Silver Dragon' |
Botanical: |
Liriope spicata |
Height
x Width: |
12" H
- Space 18-24" apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Partial Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
Violet-Purple |
Bloom
Time: |
Summer |
Water: |
Low |
Features: |
Outstanding
white blades with a dark
green stripe make for an
excellent contrast in the
landscape. This one is a
spreader and is best used
as a groundcover in contained
areas. Easy to grow! You
can't kill this one! |
Companions: |
Useful
as a groundcover in foundation
plantings, under trees,
or in sitting areas. Space
15-18" apart. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Liriope
'Variegated' (Monkey Grass) |
Botanical: |
Liriope |
Height
x Width: |
12" H
- Space 15-18" apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Part Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
Violet-Blue |
Bloom
Time: |
Summer |
Water: |
Low |
Features: |
Outstanding
variegated leaves make for
an excellent contrast in
the landscape. Forms neat
clumps and is not invasive.
Easy to grow. You can't
kill this one! |
Companions: |
Useful
to underplant small trees
such as Japanese Maples
and Crape Myrtles, as a
groundcover under large
shade trees, or a border
in islands or foundation
plantings. Space 15-18"
apart. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Dwarf
Mondo Grass |
Botanical: |
Ophiogon |
Height
x Width: |
2-3"
H - Space 12-15" apart |
Exposure: |
Shade or Afternoon Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
Pale violet |
Bloom
Time: |
Summer |
Water: |
Low |
Features: |
Grass-like,
dark blue-green slender
foliage spreads by underground
stolons. Forms a dense carpet
wherever planted. |
Companions: |
Excellent
for underplanting small
trees such as Japanese Maples
or use as a groundcover
around sitting areas or
under the canopy of large
trees. Also useful between
stepping stones or pavers. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Sedums |
Botanical: |
Sedum |
Height
x Width: |
2-4"
H - Space18" apart |
Exposure: |
Full Sun or Partial Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
Assorted |
Bloom
Time: |
Summer |
Water: |
Very drought tolerant |
Features: |
Sedums
are in the succulent family
which means they are very
drought tolerant. Many interesting
and unique varieties are
available. |
Companions: |
Other
Sedums, Abelias, Barberries,
Upright Junipers, Hollies,
Nandinas, Yucca, Ornamental
Grasses, Japanese Maples,
Crape Myrtles, Loropetalums,
Daylilies, and many more
shrubs, trees, and perennials. |
|
|
|
Name: |
Vinca
Minor - Periwinkle |
Botanical: |
Vinca minor |
Height
x Width: |
2-4"
H - Space 18-24" apart |
Exposure: |
Shade |
Bloom
Color: |
Lilac |
Bloom
Time: |
Spring |
Water: |
Low once established |
Features: |
Ground-hugging,
trailing evergreen vine
becomes covered in Spring
with lilac periwinkle flowers.
Useful as a groundcover
in the shade perennial garden
as Hostas will pop right
thru it in Spring, shady
foundation plantings, and
under the canopy of trees. |
Companions: |
All
shade loving perennials
plants, shrub, and trees. |
|
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