Read on to find our ratings for the most and least durable groundcover plants. In other areas with less activity, where the ability to tolerate footsteps is much less important, you can use other groundcovers and perennials. Remember, not every area of your yard needs groundcovers that tolerate being walked on. Then, plan to use the most traffic-tolerant groundcovers to surround the stepping stones. The selected ground cover plants listed here grow well in a wide variety of soil types. When selecting perennial ground covers, remember to check that the plant’s hardiness zone matches the conditions where you live. Some ground cover plants prefer partial shade, others thrive in deep shade or full sun a few grow well in either sun or shade. This list did not cover all the plants that make excellent, shade-loving perennial ground covers, so be sure to visit your local garden center for additional options. I always recommend putting down stepping stones, flagstone, slate pieces, or crushed stone to provide a hard, highly durable surface for the paths and walkways in your yard. Selection of a suitable plant for ground cover depends on the area where it will be grown. For the areas where you want to be able to walk or play with kids or pets, consider one of our Sustainable Lawns.īefore planting, study where the natural paths are, and what spaces have the most traffic. Thats right, it is a perennial ground cover that continuously blooms in the shade There is no other plant that can claim all of these characteristics. However, even the toughest grass will be worn down by too much foot (or paw) traffic. How a given groundcover holds up underfoot is a key consideration when choosing which ones to plant. Knowing and understanding the tolerance that different groundcover plants have to foot traffic is a key element in deciding which plants are right for your needs. As the movement encouraging no-lawn landscapes gains momentum, groundcovers take center stage as an alternative to traditional grass lawns. Grow carpet bugle in USDA zones 4 through 9. When mature, it forms such a dense mat that weeds cannot penetrate it. This member of the mint family, only reaching 6 to 10 inches high, is useful planted between steppingstones. Like a well-designed house with floors covered by nice rugs and carpeting, the garden is more beautiful when we use groundcovers to cover bare ground. Probably the best ground cover for heavy shade, carpet bugle (Ajuga reptans) grows fast, spreading by underground stolons. Not only does it produce thick mounds of leaves that could get as high as 4 to 6 inches, but they also produce beautiful flowers that vary in colors. Genus Phlox This plant is native to North America and works excellent as a native ground cover for shade. They are typically low-growing plants that have stems that root, creating a spreading carpet of stems and leaves as they grow. 10 Native Ground Covers for Shade Areas 1. Groundcovers are usually defined as plants that spread much wider than they are tall. Groundcovers are some of our most versatile and easy-to-grow perennials. By David Salman, High Country Gardens Founder and Chief Horticulturist
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