Most gardeners are aware of the problems caused by weeds, but there are garden plants - readily available to buy - that have the potential to become a nuisance. They too are listed as invasives â somewhere â and may end up banned, too. They add a beautiful carpet-like feature to the garden and resolve a range of planting issues in challenging areas. What qualifies them for this category is not their height, but their function: To form interconnected mats via creeping or clumping that crowd out weeds and form a continuous expanse of foliage. Groundcovers are low-growing plants that fill in quickly to make a dense carpet of foliage. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening. Not all ground covers are created equal, and it is important to be aware that some readily sold ground covers are invasive. One thingâs for sure: It is better to stay with one ground cover throughout a landscape than to plant many different types in a hodgepodge manner. Other ground cover plants should be used where grass is difficult to grow or maintain.Unlike grass, most ground cover plants cannot be walked on. If you are not careful, your yard may be overtaken with shoots and blooms that look beautiful but proliferate rapidly and overstay their welcome. From May to June, this low-lying evergreen perennial displays tiny blue-violet flowers on its spikes. Ask me at http://heygardenguy.com! Suitable for Zones 4-9, it performs best in part shade, but it will grow in full shade, too. The yellow blooms produce seeds that are distributed by birds and water. We ask four leading landscape designers for their advice and insights on all things relating to groundcovers, including the best varieties for sunny, shaded and even tropical gardens. Add these ground cover plants and flowers to your garden to fix your yard's trouble spots, whether it's grass that won't grow, erosion problems, or boring beds.   That description fits English ivy perfectly. It has escaped its boundaries and is widespread in nearly all areas, including grasslands, roadsides and fields. Problems: Not only is this invasive species capable of quickly forming a dense ground cover that suppresses everything beneath it, but periwinkle also doesnât need much to survive, and it ⦠This herbaceous perennial, also known as cardoon, has grey-green stalks with leaves that fan out in a circle, as well as smaller leaves higher up. While moist, fertile earth is the ideal for Japanese pachysandra, it manages in poor or acidic soil, too. The sun shines longer and stronger. Why not replace expensive, high-maintenance sod with an easy-care, environmentally-friendly groundcover? Whatever ground-covering plants are used, some weed control will be necessary until the young plants have established and formed a cover (good soil fertility is therefore very important). The spreading plant is not fast growing and doesnât have the invasive qualities of other types of shady ground covers. Although it dies back in the winter, its fresh, delicate leaves are worth the winter wait. Its green leaves have a pleasant smell if you crush them. Artichoke thistle (Cynara cardunculus), related to the sunflower, displays bright purple blooms. As the fastest spreading ground cover plant in some locations, it bears dense, stinky yellow flowers from May to October. Invasive ground covers smother other plants, including native varieties. She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing. Ground covers have come to be unfairly typified by a few lackluster varieties, such as pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis, USDA Hardiness Zones 4â8) and green lilyturf (Liriope spicata, Zones 6â10). It does well in sand or loam that’s well-drained and rich with humus. It also handles some drought, other than the young plants, which require regular watering. If you have a spot in your garden where plants do not manage to put down roots, ground covers may seem like an obvious solution. These attractive ground cover perennials expand quickly along the ground and up vertical surfaces. In mild climates, it remains green year ⦠Minimal water is required, and it blooms in full sun or partial shade. This perennial has blue or green leaves and white flowers in the summertime. This leaves the ground bare and exposed, opening it up to potential weed issues and soil erosion. Plus, unlike lawn, groundcover plants donât have to be mowed. German ivy loves growing on forest and stream edges. This low-growing perennial has small, succulent leaves and star-like yellow flowers. Phlox pilosa grows a little taller than P. stolonifera , about one foot, producing softly hairy stems and three-inch-long leaves. If you do have a bugleweed plant, prune it twice a year to prevent it from taking over your yard. Invasive perennials become âweedsâ in a garden when the environment is in the plantâs comfort zone. Be equally aware that some ground covers can become invasive. Stringy stonecrop develops quickly in difficult areas, including environments that are hot and dry or cold and alpine. Invasive Ground Covers. It’s easy to start creeping phlox plants in your yard using cuttings since this species puts down roots easily. The chameleon plant is also notable for smelling like diesel fuel. In the fall, cushion spurge leaves turn red, purple, or orange. Mondo grass is a popular choice of ground cover for garden beds. Mazus reptans, commonly called mazus, is another low-maintenance perennial ground cover. Receive the latest Home & Garden Tips by entering your email below: We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously. It appreciates having consistent humidity and the chance for its roots to dry out occasionally. It expands quickly in full sun and moist, fertile soil, forming a dense mat that pushes out native plants. This tough invader does well in full sun to part shade. Orange Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster franchetii), is an evergreen ground cover with attractive pink flowers. It runs riot rapidly in the springtime in clay and disturbed areas like roadsides. This plant does best in full sun or part shade and either loam or sand. It’s worth noting that cushion spurge is highly toxic if eaten. As invasive ground covers, these species thrive in disturbed areas and prefer shady or semi-shady areas. âInvasiveâ Ground Covers and the Case for Allowing Periwinkle by Susan Harris I have a beef with the inclusion of Periwinkle (Vinca minor) on my coopâs list of banned plants â banned because theyâre considered invasive (despite NOT being listed on the Maryland Invasive Plant list ). Beach strawberry grows fairly flat on the ground, with shiny green leaves and red stems year round. Grass is the best known ground cover, but grass is not suited to all locations. It also boasts shiny dark green leaves. Ideally, bishop’s weed has moist, well-drained soil, although a little drought is acceptable. The issue with these plants is that they are difficult to control and a pain to eradicate. All coop members are required to cover the ground in their (mostly shady) yards, and banning the shade-loving, pest-free, evergreen Periwinkle leaves us with very few choices â mainly Pachysandra and Liriope. They may also damage trees and structures with their aggressive growth. It favors full sun and well-drained soil. As the saying goes 'the first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap'. It became apparent that they were not good choices for home gardens, but, by then, the damage was done. It tolerates a range of temperatures but requires good air circulation in hot or humid conditions. Invasive plant species are stubborn and tough to get rid of, and many of them already live in your garden soil and are just waiting for fertilizer and water to make them sprout. These low-maintenance spreaders stabilize soil, preventing erosion. *It thrives in wet areas. Here are 9 Drought-Tolerant Ground Covers for Shade: 1. This semi-evergreen vine has slender stems and glossy, narrow leaves that may be variegated. Instead of choosing a ground cover known to be potentially invasive, pick native plants that don’t take over a garden. Relaible, Non-Invasive Ground Covers December 4, 2013 2 comments. Planting native ground covers might be on your list this year. Ironically, some of the most difficult invasive species to get on top of are ground covers. Plant in sun or shade where lots of bare ground is available. Make sure to divide the plant and cut back or deadhead its flowers to control growth. Because deer ignore it and, possibly because high CO2 levels are invigorating vine growth, this vine has become highly invasive. When removing or killing invasive ground covers, there is the possibility of harming other plants as well. Ground cover plants for the shade help to provide greenery to areas where other plants donât grow well. What are good ground cover plants in zone 8? If you found this list of invasive ground covers useful, please share these gardening tips with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest. German ivy (Delairea odorata), is planted for its attractive vining foliage, but is especially invasive in coastal areas, where it grows quickly and smothers native vegetation. 11 ground covers for your garden Whether youâre looking to cover a large area or simply fill some space between plants in a garden bed, there are many types of garden ground covers to consider. Some, however, grow so fast they can become invasive. Many severely invasive ground covers are planted in home landscapes for their appearance, ease of maintenance, and ability to stabilize the soil. Europeans spread this invasive plant as they colonized around the world. If you're looking for year-round cover for open areas, this vigorous plant will provide it and also throw in the bonus of dramatic pink flowers in late spring and summer. The best solution to cut down on landscape maintenance and steep slope eluding control is the ground covers. European sea rocket (Cakile maritima), is a plant with a relatively minor impact. Zone 5 ground cover plants are a great way to keep soil warm around the roots of other plants. They may be good for growing under trees in the shade or on steep banks to help prevent soil erosion. Golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a rugged ground cover hardy in zones 3-9. Hereâs how to get rid of periwinkle ground cover if it took over your yard. Such plants are usually evergreens or have densely twiggy growth. North American indigenous groups have used evening primrose for treating bruises and wounds, while, today, people use the oil for treating conditions ranging from eczema to osteoporosis. In an ecosystem, the ground cover forms the layer of vegetation below the shrub layer known as the herbaceous layer.The most widespread ground covers are grasses of various types.. However, when picking species to fill tricky natural areas, make sure to avoid invasive ground cover plants. This plant sprouts in partial to full shade in various soil conditions, although it prefers average-quality loam. This long-lived plant chokes other plants with its dense leaves. Why nurseries recommend it: For privacy, wall and ground cover. Many nurseries are aware of the significant problems associated with invasive ground covers and choose not to stock invasive plants. It does not enjoy soggy soil. Its milky sap can also irritate the skin and eyes. This plant prefers partial sun or shade, although it also does okay in full sun or shade. Mildly invasive plants are those that create less ecological impact, often because they don't reproduce as rapidly as more invasive plants. Good ground cover plants have a creeping or prostrate growth. They can also be challenging to remove completely. Plant in sun or shade where lots of bare ground is available. Groundcover or ground cover is any plant that grows over an area of ground. Introduced for ornamentation and for erosion control, its rich fragrance and drops of June nectar have endeared this vine to many. Ground covers also help suppress weed establishment, conserve moisture, and regulate soil temperature. The best source of information is your county's University of California Cooperative Extension office. Groundcover provides protection of the topsoil from erosion and drought.. A ground cover should spread by itself. Itâs low-maintenance, drought, and low-light tolerant). As you might expect, invasive ground covers proliferate rapidly, soon taking over a section of a garden, then a whole yard if youâre not careful. Ideally, a groundcover should include several species combined to create a beautiful tapestry of foliage and blooms, offering a long season [â¦] The 4-County Cooperative Weed Management Area provides this list of that you shouldn't share and eradicate in your garden -- or, at least, keep under control. These types of invasive plants will take all the moisture and nutrients from any surrounding plants, resulting in stunted growth or death. Every piece of rhizome sprouts into a new plant, so thoroughness is critical if you’re trying to remove the plant from your yard. Some will grow to around knee- or hip--high, others will lie low and hug the ground. Bugleweed spreads aggressively via underground stolons that form new clumps near the parent plant. Have a gardening question? This leaves the ground bare and exposed, opening it up to potential weed issues and soil erosion. They add beauty to the landscape and at the same time help prevent soil erosion. English ivy can harm trees that it envelops and damage walls if you attempt to remove it. It is invasive in all but the most arid areas. These days, most nurseries know not to stock these creepers, but be wary of species marketed as “vigorous.” Their seeds disperse unintentionally through human movement, as well as on animal bodies. Most invasive ground covers are non-native plants intentionally introduced into an area, either as ornamental landscape plants, medicinal plants, or plants for animal forage. Its rhizomes extend deep and wide into the soil and break apart easily. Add these ground cover plants and flowers to your garden to fix your yard's trouble spots, whether it's grass that won't grow, erosion problems, or boring beds. Its roots often extend several feet below the earth’s surface. Test Garden Tip: For extra interest, look for 'Variegata', which sports cream and white splashes on green foliage. Other ground cover plants should be used where grass is difficult to grow or maintain.Unlike grass, most ground cover plants cannot be walked on. Spring brings a clean slate, a âdo overâ for all the plans that didnât get completed last year. Hardy Ground Cover Plants While ground covers are beneficial in certain situations — beautifying the landscape, providing food and shelter for birds and wildlife, conserving moisture, stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion — invasive plants cause significant environmental problems. If you are looking for ground covers for zone 8, read on for a short list of great suggestions. The best types of ground cover plants require little maintenance and arenât invasive. When left to care for itself, this flowering ground cover can become invasive. These plants, often native to Europe or Asia, were often planted in North America as ornamentals. Why not replace expensive, high-maintenance sod with an easy-care, environmentally-friendly groundcover? Groundcover provides protection of the topsoil from erosion and drought.. Invasive plants such as English ivy, Japanese pachysandra, and vinca should not be planted as they are known to move into and take over natural areas. The 4-County Cooperative Weed Management Area provides this list of plants that you shouldn't share and should eradicate in your garden -- or, at least, keep under control. Fast-spreading bishop's weed will thrive where most other shade plants fail. Although it dies back in the winter, its fresh, delicate leaves are worth the winter wait. Leave 1 inch clear around the stems of desired plants. The orange fruits are widely distributed by small animals and birds. Find ground covers that you can plant. M.H. This means it can take over an area and become a pest if grown outside its original boundary. Cushion spurge self-seeds if it’s not deadheaded, also expanding aggressively via its rhizomes. Zones: 4 to 7 Height: 3 to 6 inches Growing conditions: Part shade to full shade Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet The European ginger is a no-maintenance ground cover plant. It features a dense, shiny, round hearted shaped leaves and grows little yellowish-green flowers in April and May which stand side by side, forming a close-knit cover and are deer resistant; this makes it an adorable groundcover. This low-lying woody perennial, a member of the mint family, has a strong scent and fine-textured leaves. Its feathery brown or black seeds spread on the wind or animals’ bodies or during floods and survive up to five years. Youâll run across invasive ground cover plants almost as soon as you start your garden. For instance, Sweet Woodruff ( Galium odoratum ) is a fast spreading plant with bright white flowers in spring, and fragrant leaves and stems which are used as the flavoring May Wine (use the inexpensive white wine of your choice) and fruit compotes. 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