Most landscapes lack a true ground cover that can provide a contrast to a perennial flower garden.
Lysimachia for example, provides a deep golden yellow color, that glows in the evening.
When traveling I always take note of the various species that are being used as ground covers and see no reason why the spectrum of plants can not be increased wherever you live.
The following is a partial list of quality selections that can and should be used as ground cover plants in full sun to partial shade.
Ipomoea (Bush Morning-glory, Old Man of the Prarie)
Lathyrus (Sweet Pea)
Laurentia
Leontopodium (Edelweiss)
Liriope (Lilyturf)
Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
Lotus
Lysimachia
Marrubium (Horehound)
Mazus
Minuartia (Irish Moss)
Nepeta (Catmint)
Oenanthe
Oenothera (Evening Primrose, Sundrops)
Ophiopogon (Lilyturf, Mondo Grass)
Parthenocissus (Woodbine)
Persicaria (Polygonum)
Phlox
Potentilla (Cinquefoil, Five Finger)
Prunella (Self Heal)
Ranunculus (Buttercup, Crowsfoot)
Rosa
Rosularia
Saponaria (Soapwort)
Saxifraga (Rockfoil)
Scutellaria (Skull Cap, Helmet Flower)
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sempervivum (Hen and Chicks)
Silene (Campion, Catchfly)
Solanum (Nightshade)
Soleirolia
Sphaeralcea (Prairie, Red False Mallow)
Spirea
Stachys (Betony, Woundwort)
Teucrium (Gemander)
Thymus (Thyme)
Trifolium (Clover)
Triglochin (Arrow Grass)
Veronica (Speedwell)
Vinca (Periwinkle)
Viola (Violet)
Vitis (Grape)
Verbena (Vervain)
Grasses
Bouteloua (Grama Grass)
Buchloe (Buffalo Grass)
Carex (Sedge)
Equisetum (Horsetail, Scouring Rush)
Imperata (Grass)
Juncus (Rush)
Miscanthus (Grass)
Oplismenas (Grass)
Panicum (Switchgrass)
Phlaris (Grass)
Herbs
Helichrysum (Curry)
Lippia
Melissa (Lemon Balm)
Mentha (Mint)
Thymus (Thyme)
Check out our list of evergreen ground cover selections. We believe that some of the best varieties available have been placed in it.
We believe that special emphasis should be placed on noteworthy varieties and their various cultivars, therefore we invite you to check out the sections featuring the following titles:
