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. The name "Dead Nettle" refers to the fact that Lamium does not have the stinging hair characteristic of other nettles. Original Author. Ground cover plants are all-around problem-solvers: They retain moisture, control erosion, and provide.css-1me6ynq{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;} habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies. It detests hot, humid weather, but thrives where temperatures drop at night. Angelina Sedum is easy to propagate by rooting, so you can quickly fill an area with its succulent foliage. Catmint can handle several types of soil as well as both humidity and drought, and its also deer and rabbit resistant. RELATED: The 15 Best Plants for Rookie Gardeners. Lamium is undemanding and easy to grow in partial to fully shaded locations. 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. 16 inches apart for coverage in two seasons. However, slugs and snails may be occasional visitors. Spotted deadnettle. It is native to New Zealand and invasive in some areas, though its spread has not been out of control. No special soil is needed for it to flourish and reseed. However, creeping ground coverings tend to spread the fastest. Lamium is undemanding and easy to grow in partial to fully shaded locations. It grows best where it has plenty of space to spread out. Bunchberry is a shade-loving deciduous shrub native to northern portions of North America. In addition to making your garden look good, lithodora is a useful ally: The plant works as a natural deer repellent (the animals dislike the taste of the flowers) and helps control erosion. The promise is that Lamiums are fast-growing perennial ground cover or container plants that brighten partly sunny spots and produce charming flowers. Q. Because the common name is often given as "spotted dead nettle". `Katie' ruellia is a good ground cover for sun or shade. She writes a weekly garden Q&A and feature stories. At the time of this publication, there were 30 cultivars of L. maculatumlisted in the RHS Plant Finder, compared to 11 cultivars for all the other species combined. Aronia is a pretty low-growing native shrub that has tiny white flowers amid glossy green foliage. It spreads well, but is easy to manage. This is not the form of thyme used in cooking, but its fragrance will attract bees and other pollinators. In its native environment, it spreads slowly to cover the forest floor, where deer and rabbits typically leave it alone. If you have a sunny to partially shaded spot in USDA Zones 3 through 9 where youd like a flowering ground cover but want something more colorful, try this ornamental onion. Avoid planting Chinese lantern in garden beds and near turf grass. RELATED: 14 of the Best Plants for Your Drought-Tolerant Garden. Creeping Phlox. Species can be annuals or perennials, with many valued for their ground cover abilities, pollinator-friendly flowers and preference of shady areas. Here are our top 15 ground covers for shaded areas. Look for varieties like Ghost that are heavily silvered and really brighten up lightly to densely shaded spaces. For companion plants, select other shade-lovers. Yet, it quickly covers the ground and produces clusters of white flowers. The only maintenance you'll need to do is remove tattered leaves damaged from a bad winter. It is much less noticeable at other times of the year, but that doesn't detract from its role as a spring superstar. It prefers shade, but will tolerate some sun. On top of all that, with proper care the plant can last 5 to 6 years, during which time you can harvest your own fresh thyme. Also known as lonicera, honeysuckle is an aromatic perennial that blooms with white, yellow, or red flowers in the spring and summer. Keep it in a shady spot, especially under trees and shrubs. Manure tea is a good substitute when it is too difficult to work more compost into the soil. Slugs and snails are attracted to the liquid, fall in and drown. 15. manure tea is a good alternative. Pink or white flowers bloom in spring and summer. In summer months, little spikes of blue, purple, pink or white flowers will appear. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. This is a lush trailing ground cover with. The only real maintenance required is trimming it back after it has finished flowering, or whenever it becomes too scraggly for your tastes. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. It even takes on the terribly invasive Garlic Mustard. Hostas are definitely not deer-resistant but they are toxic to other animals. Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. Low-growing varieties of sedum make easy-to-care-for ground covers, especially since its fleshy leaves retain enough water to survive dry spells. Infinitely touchable, the velvety, fuzzy foliage of this plant is aptly named (c'mon, just look at it). Being creepersand having a tendency to spread, these classic cottage-garden plants are popular flowering ground covers. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. Plant them with an assortment of other flowering plants in a container garden to have sitting on your porch and lanai, or they trail beautifully from a hanging basket. The little silver leaves of lamium are like bits of glitter strewn about the garden floor, reflecting any dappled sunlight that finds them. Ground covers are used to provide edgings to pathways, control erosion, and add interest to landscape design. It is also ideal for rock gardens, border edges, and even containers besides being an excellent choice for an ornamental ground cover. Although it is most attractive, I have found it less vigorous in our garden, but perhaps you will have better luck. Hostas are some of the happiest and hardiest perennial ground coverings you can grow. Available at Etsy; $10.99 per 1-quart plant. They thrive in or out of sunlight, and they seem to multiply on their own thanks to their rhizomatous roots. 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. This plant thrives in wet soils, which is why planting it in dry soil and denying it water helps keep it in check. Lamium needs shade and a fertile, moist but well-draining soil. Also known as periwinkle and creeping myrtle, vinca minor will spread wherever its planted and will even scale trellises or fences if trained. It has excellent resistance to damage by deer and rabbits. wide. Lamium is an excellent ground cover for shade. This native ground cover is as useful as it is pretty, acting as the larval host of the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly and as a weed suppressing ground cover. A relative of spotted dead nettles is yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon). In summer, the leaves take on burgundy mottling on the way to becoming totally burgundy (hence the name liverleaf). It likes full sun, and requires regular trimmings to keep it from taking over the yard. So long as the site affords full sun and good drainage, creeping phlox requires next to nothing in the way of care. If you do not want to open a nursery, and it is crowding other plants, shear in midsummer to promote more compact growth. high and can spread out 2 feet (61 cm.) There may be restrictions on planting it in these areas. Spotted deadnettle ground cover grows about 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) The erect flower clusters are long-blooming. While some have small flowers, the main focal point is the colorful foliage, which ranges from chartreuse to bronze. Excellent evergreen ground cover for shadeThe North American native speciesPachysandra procumbensis harder to find but a more graceful and less spready choiceGrows 6 to 10 inches 15-25 cm tall. Although it favors dry climates, this ground cover can survive in the warmer end of some humid regions. Plant it with an assortment of flowering plants, including paperwhites, cyclamen, and coral bells. The low-lying ground cover is a popular option as a filler for rock gardens or as an accent above retaining walls. She's been a frequent speaker at various garden events. The plant prefers partial shade or full sun and well-draining moist soil. In fact, beware of this potentially invasive ground cover, especially if you live near a forest. The plant dies back to the ground in the winter and comes out in the spring, but giving it a good shearing before winter will help keep the plants healthy. You could first try it in a small area container to see how it does in your garden. Using several ground covers can add variety to the landscape and prevent soil erosion. Its cheerful bright lilac pink flowers add whimsy to the garden from early summer through midsummer. One of the best fast-growing ground cover plants for full sun is flowering candytuft. Spotted dead nettles tolerate evenshady areas that have dry soil. `Katie' produces petunialike, purple blooms for months. 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. Desert zinnia (Zinnia acerosa) and prairie zinnia (Zinnia grandiflora) are native ground covers in the Southwest. It has basic requirements and is well worth cultivating in your garden. This fast-growing annual looks gorgeous tumbling over rock walls or along the edges of walkways. NC State University Cooperative Extension. 20 Ground Cover Plants to Fill out Your Garden, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. which is great for using as a ground cover in large fields and gardens. Rock cotoneaster is considered a full-shun shrub but benefits from some afternoon shade. Although taller than a typical ground cover, yarrow ranks among the most attractive ground cover flowering plants. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Elsewhere (and depending on growing conditions), they are more likely to besemi-evergreen, herbaceous plants. We recommend our users to update the browser. The Ground Cover Dogwood blooms then produces edible berries. Curious reddish brown flowers bloom in spring at ground level under the foliage. Creeping phlox is the quintessential ground cover plant. Many are perennials, some are annuals, and some make good ground covers, though they can be overly aggressive in favorable locations. This plant is deciduous in areas where there is colder weather but stays semi-evergreen in other regions. Sometimes called Pinks because the petals look like they've been trimmed with pinking shears, this pretty ground cover comes in a range of heights, anywhere from low-growing to 2 feet tall. If you want this to be a fast-growing ground cover plant, make sure it receives 4-6 hours of sun each day. It is a mat-forming perennial ground cover that typically grows 5-8" tall but spreads indefinitely over time by sprawling stems which root in the ground as they go. Lamium? With full sun, this green herb will grow small flowers in summer, attracting plenty of pollinators. Lawns also are considered ground covers, but may require more moisture, sunlight, fertilizer and maintenance than other ground cover choices. Creeping liriope plants make low-maintenance, tough, and drought-tolerant ground covers with spikey flowers and grass-like foliage. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Choose native common yarrow. Hmmm. It likes full sun. Press Esc to cancel. Roger Clemens makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Hiker captures 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo of wildlife at Brazos Bend State Park, This is how astronauts see Houston, Texas Gulf from space with unaided eyes, These bites won big at the Houston rodeo's foodie awards, Here's what Lina Hidalgo carb-loads before a long run, Heres how you can watch 'Daisy Jones and the Six', Houston police ticket man for feeding homeless people, Texas Republican wants to ban access to abortion websites. 1. This tenacious perennial spreads rapidly, thrives in full sun, is cold hardy, grows in poor soil, and is drought tolerant once established. And while deer might not like itspink flowers, they do attract butterflies and honeybeesits even believed that it enhances the flavor of the honey. Ground cover plants are the perfect solution for a variety of landscaping issues. Lamb's ear creates a soft and silvery dense ground covering mat in a sunny area of your property. Lamium (Dead Nettle) is a trailing, groundcover perennial. You may not have thought of using an onion as a ground cover, but doing so has some important advantages. That kind doesnt make a good ground cover and needs lots of sun to grow well. The dainty lavender flowers and vining evergreen leaves make this purple ground cover incredibly popular as a low maintenance ground cover for shade. Lamium, or dead nettle, is a perennial ground cover, often with variegation. 14. In addition to white flowers, you can find colors like moonshine yellow, paprika, or vintage violet. Although rich, moist, acidic soils are ideal, this plant will also grow in alkaline, sandy and clay soils. Hortster. With society garlic, you can have your ground cover and eat it too! Lamium is one of the best choices for a tough yet showy perennial groundcover. Some of these ground covers will grow in sun and others in shade; all will put on growth quickly. Cut the runner off with pruning shears, plant it in another spot, and then water. The only issue to watch for is rotting leaves. The foliage is evergreen and the 3-inch-high plant trails or spreads, favoring gravel and other sunny, dry conditions in zones 5 through 9. 30. Low-growing, ground-hugging perennial plants are the best low-maintenance ground coverings. Native to Africa, purple ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) became popular as a cold-hardy ground cover in the United States in the 1990s. Though Lenten rose is not a rose (it's part of the buttercup family), its little buds are early season bloomers when it flowers at ground level in the late winter. This plant works as a ground cover, a border plant or even a houseplant in a hanging basket. The petite white star-shaped flowers provide a nice contrast to the deciduous green foliage. MLB legend makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Hiker takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo at Brazos Bend State Park, This is what Houston looks like from space, Oops! Lamium is evergreen from Zone 6 south. These plants spread out, and you can keep them under control by pruning, too. If you prefer a similar but less aggressive variety, consider C. montana 'Amethyst Dream'. Plant this deer- and rabbit-resistant herb in the spring and its fuzzy leaves will cover large areas by autumn. Lamium maculatum stays relatively short, with the typical cultivar standing less than a foot tall. It is perfect for a small space, like a little garden along a north-facing wall. Lamium will grow under tree canopies and fill in around taller perennials, tolerating some dryness from the roots of other plants, but it grows better with irrigation. Within two to three years of planting, it forms a lush carpet of velvety, green, heart-shaped leaves that hug the ground. Growing to a height of about 6 inches with a spread of 9 inches, it has waxy green leaves that should be removed as they turn brown. At least one like petunias. The opposite leaves are silvery green with large silver blotches on the upper surface, lightening up a dark shady area. 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. They are tough and their easy-going adaptability to a wide variety of rocky slopes, clay, and alkaline soils keep them comfortable in the west. This fact sheet primarily discusses non-native ground covers and rock garden plants for mountain areas above 7,500 feet as well as highlighting some native plants not covered in fact sheet 7.242, Native Herbaceous Perennials for Colorado Landscapes. A ground hugging creeper with silvered variegated foliage and some really pretty colored flowers Dead Nettles are an ideal choice for gardeners who want a tough plant with a variety of . Cut them to the height you prefer them to be and thin them out if they're getting too thick by cutting some of the branches throughout the plant back to the ground. Will ruellia make a good ground cover? The attractive foliage has a silvery cast and shows well . Water it during dry spells and give it a haircut at the end of its blossoming period. Lamium is grown for both its pretty foliage and beautiful flowers. Firecracker Sedum ( Sedum) Willie Nelson pays lovely tribute to another country legend, Mayor: HISD has two optionsclose school or be taken over, Rare photos show 2 ocelots crossing South Texas road. Yarrow can grow in full sun in nearly any soil and can tolerate drought once established. Dig out rhizomes to keep in bounds. Ice plant is a fast and easy-growing ground covering, but pick the right species for your climate. A tall border, such as a retaining wall or large rocks, will do a good job containing growth without the need to prune. Being creepers and having a tendency to spread, these classic cottage-garden plants are popular flowering ground covers. Overview: Spotted Dead Nettle - Lamium maculatum is a herbaceous perennial growing to 0.2 -0.9m at a fast . If you are looking for a low-maintenance ground cover, sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a good pick, but only under certain conditions. Keep in mind that smaller containers will require watering more often. :) Thanks much guys. Plant in full shade or partial shade. Though pruning is not necessary, hostas will yellow and die back so trimming dead foliage can look better, especially in a small area. It spreads rapidly by above-ground runners and is hardy to Zone 4. It quickly forms a thick mound and blooms all summer long, producing a sweet honey scent that attracts pollinators throughout the season. Like sedges, many different types of asters that will grow in partial shade to full shade. Growing only about 3 inches tall, this plant spreads over time, crowding out weeds and thus reducing maintenance further. If it grows outside its pounds, trim it off or transplant a branch. Lamium covers up that soil and adds colorful flowers, foliage and texture. In the South or West, the ground cover may lose its leaves or die back in the cold months. It reaches 6-inches in height and spreads to 24-inches wide. Push the bare part of the branch into the soil at the desired location and water. This vining plant, also known as dead nettles, can tolerate cold, heat, and drought, and its deer resistant. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Astros GM Dana Brown has more praise team's top prospect, Principal fired for reading 'I Need a New Butt!' It's also a beautiful ground cover to consider for moon gardens, but just beware the flowers are less than fragrant. They're also popular ground covers used to stop soil erosion. Are rabbits attracted to spotted dead nettle? 7. It does best in sun. This perennial creeper is a great ground cover that will quickly carpet your landscape with pretty and small flowers. Straight from your grandma's garden, Dianthus is an old-fashioned perennial with a vanilla-like scent. This common weedy plant is a member of the mint family and forms early groundcover mats, with fuzzy . Shown: 'Spotted deadnettle' (Lamium maculatum) Tall-Growing Lamium Anne Greenway Need a good ground cover in the shade or morning sun. This is a highly invasive plant but it's also popular for growing on huge swaths of areas that need ground cover and won't encroach on another's property. #9. Noteworthy Characteristics Lamium maculatum, commonly called spotted deadnettle, is native to Europe and North Africa to West Asia. There are also several cultivars (all cold-hardy to at least zone 4, most 3 to 12 inches tall, and all wanting the sun/soil conditions of the species plant) of L.maculatum, including: While dead nettle plants areflowering perennials,stinging nettles, by contrast,arenoxious weeds(but edible when properly prepared). And beware that it is considered invasive in some areas of the Northeast and Northwest. They areespecially valued for use in shady spots, which is a condition that many plants dislike. Lamium maculatum (white nettle, pink pewter, and spotted nettle) Lamium galeobdolon . It spreads via rhizomes, a trait that can be a double-edged sword. New delosperma varieties boast yellow, orange, apricot, and bicolor flowers. In fact it thrives on summer drought in dry shade. It's also used for ground cover to stop erosion because its tough roots hold soil in place. 6. Despite its vigorous growth, it's not considered invasive. When planted in full sun it usually needs extra watering, at least until the plant is well established. Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. Advertisement Lamium maculatum 'Beacon Silver' is a shade-loving perennial, highly valued for its drought tolerance and ability to form a bright carpet of silver foliage, with rich pink blooms . Need an easy evergreen carpet to plant where no grass dare grow? There are almost endless varieties of hostas that will fit your needs, many with variegated leaves and spikey short-lived and unremarkable flowers. Shes passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves. With moist shade and deep, acidic woodland soil of good tilth, it will form a tight ground cover. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, Spotted Dead Nettles vs. Stinging Nettles. The plant's multicolored leaves and tiny pastel flowers look attractive by themselves along a walkway or mingled. It makes a dense mat of three-lobed leaves on lengthy, cane-like stems, which provide an interesting ground . And lasting from late spring to midsummer, and can be reddish-purple, pink, or white depending on the variety. In fact, this short, squat plant is often seen dotting hillsides or banks. Bloom time begins sooner, of course, after a mild winter, since plants do not have to regrow. Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 3-10 SHOP DEAD NETTLE SEEDS skymoon13 // Getty Images Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 10 Creeping Phlox However, sweet woodruff can be a good ground cover choice for dry shade, such as in areas under big trees. Depending on the variety, you can expect this ground cover to behave as a creeper, or a low-mounded perennial, with small flowers that resemble snapdragons blooming in summer. 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). Spotted dead nettles are generally grown more for their silvery leaves than for their flowers, but the latter can be quite pretty, as well. Within two to three years of planting, it forms a lush carpet of velvety, green, heart-shaped leaves that hug the ground. However, it will grow out of its boundaries so trimming it back can help if you want to keep the yard neat. The midsummer shearing also encourages a second flowering period in September. This shrub also offers some fall-foliage value. In shade, its OK if the soil dries out now and then. Physalis. On the other hand, keeping it in check requires occasionally cutting back the stems, which can actually self-root if they fall off naturally. The 'Six Hills Giant' cultivar is a good choice for covering large areas. It's also toxic to humans and pets. Growing Conditions: Full to part shade in moist, well-drained soil Its dense mats are threatening native plants on forest floors. Most of my dl have been in the ground at least 6 months, so I'm guessing they are well established enough for a ground cover. All Rights Reserved. The leaves, bulblets and bulbs of the nodding onion plant are edible with a strong onion flavor, but its more common to grow Allium cernuum for its easily identifiable flowers. Its brittle, fragile stems help keep it from becoming aggressively invasive and also allow bulbs and other perennials to penetrate its foliage. It is evergreen, but some of the leaves may turn brown during winter. They love harsh conditions, including heat, full sun, low water, and even rugged terrain or rocky soil. Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures Planters. Want to lure hummingbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife to your garden? 3. Ground covers that develop flowers and fruit often require more maintenance to keep them attractive. White Nancy jparkers USDA Zones:3-9 She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming. Check with your local county extension for any warnings that they may issue for your own region. Nepeta x faassenia, commonly called nepeta, nepeta catmint, or Faassen's catmint, is one of several perennial catmint plants. Don't site near small plants which may be overtaken. Simply put some potting soil mix in a container or hanging basket that has drainage holes, and plant the spotted dead nettle, then water. 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. Please keep reading to learn about this plant with a cautionary tale. Lamium, or dead nettle, is a perennial ground cover, often with variegation. Instead, it keeps its leathery dark green leaves in nearly the same condition year round. Alyssum is an annual ground cover that grows very well from direct sow seeding once temperatures have reached 65 to 70 degrees. Note that Lenten rose is toxic to animals. Keep weeds at bay with spreading plants in your garden. Look for the distinctive crook at the top of the stem to identify this species. '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 . Poke holes in the fabric and plant the junipers, then cover the fabric with mulch. Select either a shady or half shady location when growing Lamium maculatum. Replant them in a suitable location, and water. Few ground covers ever look as beautiful as creeping phlox in spring, when it produces an explosion of fragrant, star-shaped, pastel-colored flowers. Several plants in this list happily grow in full or partial shade.