Groundcover plants are often underestimated and quite a few of us fail to realize their caliber. They are amongst the most desired plants and gardeners grow them to cover their garden bed rapidly with beautiful green foliage.

Groundcovers are sometimes not used properly because of which they are unable to perform their best. It is important to realize that each and every plant has got a distinct character and texture. If used in the right way, these plants can accentuate the beauty of your landscape and make it more appealing. Apart from the aesthetic reasons, these plants are also used to control soil erosion and growth of unnecessary weeds.

Groundcovers are less demanding and they can grow in almost any kind of soil and climate. However, it is important to meet the basic requirements so that they thrive well. One of the most amazing qualities of the groundcover plants is that they grow well in shaded areas. This makes them ideal for patches or spots in the garden that do not receive full sunlight. Such areas are left bare because you cannot think of planting anything else. Growing groundcovers in such a location can help you fill in the bare patches.

Some of the common plants used extensively as groundcovers are—

Hosta

—Hosta is a herbaceous plant which is perennial in nature. This plant can tolerate shade which makes it an ideal groundcover. Hosta has waxy green foliage and it bears white colored flowers during late summers. The plant has the tendency to spread through underground rhizomes.

Common Periwinkle

—Common Periwinkle is also scientifically known as Vinca Minor. It is an evergreen trailing vine- like groundcover which establishes roots as it creeps. The foliage is glossy, dense and dark green in color. The plant bears beautiful and tiny purple colored flowers during spring and summer season. The foliage appears glossier and richer in shaded location.

Canada Wild Ginger

—Canada Wild Ginger produces tall foliage that spreads rapidly through rhizomes. It is a deciduous groundcover that has prominent kidney shaped leaves. The plant is also believed to have medicinal properties and is used by Native Americans for treating many ailments.

English Ivy

—It is also known as Hedera helix and is a fast growing evergreen vine. English Ivy is an invasive species but it is widely used as an ornamental plant.

Sweet Woodruff

—It is a herbaceous plant which is scientifically known as Galium odoratum. The plant generally lies flat on the ground and is an ideal groundcover for shady areas. It produces small and fragrant white colored flowers in springtime.

Thyme

—Thyme is an evergreen perennial herb that does well in areas that do not receive partial sunlight. Creeping thyme grows in clumps and spreads in the area. It also produces flowers during spring and summer season.