Many use the ground cover to define the borders of garden paths. Yet, it quickly covers the ground and produces clusters of white flowers. 22 Great Ground Cover Plants - Low Growing Perennials - Country Living Lamium, or dead nettle, is a perennial ground cover, often with variegation. Although strawberry begonia is winter hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 9, some people in Zone 6b have reportedly had luck with it overwintering, too. Best Ground Covers as Grass Alternatives - Lawn Care Blog Add compost if you have clayey soil to improve drainage. Use it to highlight other plants with darker foliage, such as boxwoods and conifers. With full sun, this green herb will grow small flowers in summer, attracting plenty of pollinators. If you are looking for something unusual, consider wall germander, a broadleaf woody-stemmed evergreen that is often massed or used as a low hedge along retaining walls or in knot gardens. This elegant fern looks as dainty as a pearl necklace, but is tough enough to survive winter growing in the Himalayan Mountains, where it is native. Lamium - FineGardening Dead nettle, also known as Lamium, is a low-growing perennial with silver-splashed leaves and bursts of purple, pink, or white flowers that pop up in spring and early summer. I have some really hardy portulaca that I think I'll try there too. Pink or white flowers bloom in spring and summer. Lamb's Ear. This ground cover forms a low-growing carpet that spreads quickly as its stems root when they touch the ground. Vinca minor(commonly known as periwinkle) is a very popular ground cover because it's drought-tolerant, pest-free, inexpensive, and easy to grow in just about any type of soil. Infinitely touchable, the velvety, fuzzy foliage of this plant is aptly named (c'mon, just look at it). Providing extra spacing between plants can lessen leaf-spotting, but this somewhat defeats the purpose of growing spotted dead nettles, as one of their best features is that they spread and fill in an area, thereby crowding out weeds. The petite white star-shaped flowers provide a nice contrast to the deciduous green foliage. This plant can be invasive, depending on where you live. Those fleshy, bluish-green leaves help retain what little water it receives. Avoid planting Chinese lantern in garden beds and near turf grass. Susan Martin is a lifelong gardener who enjoys sharing her passion for plants, gardening and the business of horticulture with fellow plant enthusiasts across North America. Lamium groundcovers are the right choice for High Mountain, shady gardens. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Spotted dead nettles propagate easily by themselves from runners, by dividing, or from cuttings. That kind doesnt make a good ground cover and needs lots of sun to grow well. Height is a foot or so. She is married to photographer John Everett and they have one son. 16 Fast Growing Ground Cover Plants to Transform Your Yard - MorningChores Both have tiny needle-like foliage that spreads along the ground or down rock walls. This is a deer- and rabbit-resistant ground cover that is ideal for large swaths of landscape. Flowering: Yes. Spectacular as a ground cover in the shade garden, Lamium maculatum (Spotted Dead Nettle) is a perennial plant whose appearance is unlike other perennial ground covers. Read our. They love harsh conditions, including heat, full sun, low water, and even rugged terrain or rocky soil. PDF A Comparative Study of Ground Cover Lamium - Chicago Botanic Garden We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. When grown as a ground cover, it is an easy-care plant that requires little maintenance. book to class, Report: Houston ranked No. Spotted dead nettles are valued as perennial ground covers for the shade that will spread and fill in a patch of ground that might otherwise remain bare (except for weeds). When several are planted together, they form a dense hedge that thrives in almost any type of soil and full sun. Instead, it keeps its leathery dark green leaves in nearly the same condition year round. It prefers moderate climates but is able to withstand full sun and drought-like conditions. chezmoose. Alyssum is an annual ground cover that grows very well from direct sow seeding once temperatures have reached 65 to 70 degrees. Spotted dead nettle has a wide range, but does not do well in very warm, humid locations. She writes a weekly garden Q&A and feature stories. Divide this plant in the spring for additional and long-living ground cover that can last for a couple of decades. She's been a frequent speaker at various garden events. A tall border, such as a retaining wall or large rocks, will do a good job containing growth without the need to prune. In regions with cold winters, Lamium is deciduous. With moist shade and deep, acidic woodland soil of good tilth, it will form a tight ground cover. From creeping phlox to creeping thyme these perennial ground cover plants are loaded with flowers to attract pollinators to the garden. Thus you need to be careful in choosing the right spot to grow this plant. Within two to three years of planting, it forms a lush carpet of velvety, green, heart-shaped leaves that hug the ground. Oak sedge prefers partial shade to full shade in USDA Zones 3 through 8. Miniature hostas will grow less than 9 inches tall, small hostas grow to a foot or more, and giant hostas can grow over 30 inches tall. A favorite type is 'Silver Carpet' as it spreads easily, rarely flowers, and stays short at 4 to 6 inches tall. Blooms are cream colored. Keep weeds at bay with spreading plants in your garden. Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. It matures to a height of about 3 feet, and it, too, can be used as a taller ground cover. In fact, brass buttons share the same Achilles heel as ferns: Both succumb easily to drought. For companion plants, select other shade-lovers. Creeping Charlie is also known as ground ivy, Alehoof, Catsfoot, creeping jenny, gill-over-the-ground, haymaids, field balm, run-away-robin and tunhoof. 20 Best Lamium Varieties | Best Types of Dead Nettle - Balcony Garden Web This plant is fast growing, and one plant can spread up to two feet or more within a year. The horizontally-spreading branches of creeping junipers make a dense mat that weeds cant penetrate. Lawns also are considered ground covers, but may require more moisture, sunlight, fertilizer and maintenance than other ground cover choices. Common pests for spotted dead nettles are slugs and snails, which seem to be the main pests for this plant, although aphids can also attach themselves to the stems and leaves. Ground Cover Plants | The Old Farmer's Almanac Aromatic enough for both kitties and their owners, catmint (Nepeta) is an easy-care, low growing ground cover. Growing 3-6 inches tall, it can be used as a full ground cover, or you can plant it around stepping stones and pathways. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This plant grows vibrant purple flowers that grow against grey-green foliage from early spring through early summer. The only maintenance you'll need to do is remove tattered leaves damaged from a bad winter. This species of plumbago is cold hardy to USDA Zone 5, but will survive winter better if you cover it with a light mulch, or if theres snow cover. Although it is most attractive, I have found it less vigorous in our garden, but perhaps you will have better luck. Stinging nettles also grow quite tall. Choose from an annual or perennial variety, and watch charming daisy-like flowers bloom throughout this bushy plant. It needs full sun to survive. This tuberous perennial has long, thin, chive-like foliage you can enjoy in the kitchen; the greenery is topped by tiny purple flowers in the summer, and its also available in a variegated type. While grass is typically the best way to fill out empty space, sometimes low-growing plants are a better and prettier option. This easy-care ground cover provides colors of purple, white pink and shades of light red. . Choose native common yarrow. It is, therefore, a sterile plant that will not come true from seeds. RELATED: 25 Plants That Survive With or Without You. Type above and press Enter to search. It grows low to the ground, making it a good alternative to grass in just about any climate. Its a good idea to add some mulch around the plant to help suppress weeds. Looking for groundcover for huge sandy/shady area - Houzz Spotted dead nettles should be pruned in the summer after the first blooming period. Best Ground Cover Plants to Prevent Weeds - Landscape Fix In milder climates, it is semi-evergreen. Equally at home hanging from a planter or covering a hillside, Lysimachia (more commonly known as creeping Jenny) is a plant admired for its trailing branches. With a long bloom period and colorful foliage, most varieties are eye-catching plants throughout the year. As it spreads, new clumps will form. Once it settles in to its new home, this fern will speed up its spread and transplant easily if you find new shady places for it in your landscape. The ground has only recently thawed and most are waiting for just the right amount of consistent warmth and moisture before coming up. Botanical Name: Cotoneaster horizontalis This tall ground cover has a horizontal growing habit, give it plenty of water and afternoon shade until it is fully grown. Despite its vigorous growth, it's not considered invasive. Key Dead-nettle facts Name - Lamium maculatum Family - Lamiaceae Type - perennial Height - 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) Exposure - full sun to shade Soil - rich and well drained Foliage - deciduous And while deer might not like itspink flowers, they do attract butterflies and honeybeesits even believed that it enhances the flavor of the honey. It's deer-resistant and can tolerate drought, heat, and cold. You will have a Lamium carpet by fall, and the following year you will perhaps be able to pen your own lamium nursery with which to supply all your friends. Blooms late Spring to mid Summer. Although not as attractive to cats as catnip (Nepeta cataria), catmint is a gardeners dream: an easy-to-grow, robust purple ground cover. Liverleaf (Anemone americana, formerly classified as Hepatica americana) is a perennial wildflower native to North America. Creeping thyme (also known as mother of thyme or wild thyme) is a creeping, woody-stemmed perennial that is a favorite plant to use for a low-maintenance ground cover serving as a filler between garden stepping stones. Elsewhere (and depending on growing conditions), they are more likely to besemi-evergreen, herbaceous plants. One way to cut back on the energy and resources you put into your yard is to incorporate ground covers into the landscape. Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. If you are looking for a tenacious ground cover that will stare in the face of drought while living in dry, sandy soil in a shady area, either shadara's violets or yellow archangel or bishop's weed should work. Lamium - Excellent Ground Cover for Shade - Charismatic Planet 'Album', has white flowers, shown here blooming before the leaves on September 28, 2011, and spreads to form a ground cover that stays green through the winter . North Carolina State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. In fact, this short, squat plant is often seen dotting hillsides or banks. Soft, aromatic creeping thyme seems to check off all the boxes for a gardener, plus more. This quickly spreading ground cover forms a tight, six- to 10-inch tall mass of shiny green foliage that blushes bright red and bronze beginning in early fall. Although rich, moist, acidic soils are ideal, this plant will also grow in alkaline, sandy and clay soils. To make sure your ground covers get the job done (ya know, dressing up your landscape), follow the instructions on their plant care tag to give them the right conditions. A variety of cultivars are available, including Juniperus horizontalis'Blue Rug.'. There are so many options to choose from, including old favorites like Pachysandra and Vinca, as well as small shrubs, perennials, and annuals. Kathy Huber has worked for the Houston Chronicle since May 1981. Spotted dead nettles tolerate evenshady areas that have dry soil. Eventually, they will form a mat. 25 Best Types of Ground Cover Plants and Flowers You Can Grow - Florgeous All that being said, ground covers are a terrific option for your situation. The spotted dead nettle plant is listed as invasive in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States and is located mainly in the upper eastern states. Name: Ceratostigma plumbaginoides. It needs full sun to flourish. Named for the color and the shape of their flowers, brass buttons stand out perhaps most of all for their serrated, fern-like leaves. It even takes on the terribly invasive Garlic Mustard. Blooms from mid-spring through summer. It is native to New Zealand and invasive in some areas, though its spread has not been out of control. See more ideas about plants, shade plants, shade garden. wide. Growing Conditions: Full to part shade in moist, well-drained soil She has spent over two decades working in the horticulture industry on new plant development, garden design, sales, marketing and consulting. This woodland sedge can tolerate drier soils than many species. English ivy is considered an evergreen perennial covering, period. Lamium is rarely troubled by disease and is generally pest-free. This clumping perennial is less than a foot tall, with slender, long, arching leaves. But what really makes this tough perennial a standout is its vivid foliage that ranges from chartreuse to silvery white to many shades of green. These waterwise plants are perfect rock garden ground covers in zones 4 through 9 for the hardier yellow prairie zinnia and 6 through 10 for desert zinnia with its pretty white flowers. Spotted dead nettles will naturalize in some areas. Firecracker Sedum ( Sedum) But in regions where spotted dead nettle is not invasive, it acts as an effective ground cover for deeply shaded areas. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Look for the distinctive crook at the top of the stem to identify this species. Glechoma hederacea is not the same as henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) or Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum L.), AKA red deadnettle, red henbit. Some hybrids offer striking, flat flower clusters that bees and butterflies can use as a landing pad. Although it is most. Plus, each is interesting enough to enhance your surroundings more than an ordinary carpet of grass. In fact it thrives on summer drought in dry shade. Noteworthy Characteristics Lamium maculatum, commonly called spotted deadnettle, is native to Europe and North Africa to West Asia. You may not have thought of using an onion as a ground cover, but doing so has some important advantages. Thanks to its bold blue hue and its ability to attract butterflies, Grace Ward lithodora will add bursts of color to your landscape from spring through the end of summer. Though pruning is not necessary, hostas will yellow and die back so trimming dead foliage can look better, especially in a small area. 36 Lamium ideas | plants, shade plants, shade garden In agriculture, ground cover is the name given to plants that are low growing and are used to cover a large area, giving a carpeted effect.