7 Herbaceous perennial groundcovers (with pictures)

Ajuga Reptans

Ajuga Reptans plant is an evergreen flowering perennial groundcover. Being an evergreen offers greenery year round. The plant has shoots of purple blooms in early Spring making it a versitle plant, perfect for maintaining beauty in small areas. Ajuga reptans is known as bugle, common bugle, carpenter’s herb, bugle herb, bugleweed, carpetweed, and St. Lawrence plant, this hardy member of the mint family.  Getting to Know the Ajuga Reptans They are a perennial. While the origin of ajuga is unclear, reptans means creeping, which offers an indication of how easily this low-lying plant spreads. The result is an attractive, dense ground cover that is ideal for filling in empty spaces, choking out weeds, and enticing pollinators. Understanding How the Ajuga Reptans Grow They are popular, so there are numerous varieties. As a result, there is a range of possibilities for this plant. Generally, you can expect round green leaves that spring to life in a plush, evergreen carpet. The leaves generally reach a height of two inches to three inches. In addition, the plant sends up striking spikes of flowers in mid to late spring. Traditionally blue, these flowering stems are filled with small blooms. They typically stand four inches to six inches in height, but they can rise higher. Painting With the Many Colors of the Ajuga Reptans Many plants draw attention with the colors of their flowers. The bugle is an exception. Knowledgeable gardeners appreciate this plant for the extensive palette of hues that its foliage offers. In addition to the luxuriant carpet of gorgeous dark greens that the standard coloration offers, you can find varieties that provide leaves in lighter greens, deep reds, bronze purples, and chocolate browns. Nearly black and variegated versions also exist. What about flowers? Blue is the most common color of flowers among them, and you’ll find everything from pale blue to bright blue. However, you’ll also discover other colors, including whites, pinks, and purples. Using the Ajuga Reptans As a flowering perennial, they have numerous uses. It’s a luxuriant ground cover that resists deer and rabbits and grows well under trees, along pathways, and among rocks. Its rich beauty, diverse textures, and ability to draw pollinators make it a winning addition to any space.

Vinca Minor

The Vinca Minor has lush and evergreen foliage and delicate blue or white flowers make it a popular choice for various outdoor spaces. While its benefits extend beyond its use in herbalism, let's explore its landscaping advantages. Vinca Minor, also called creeping myrtle, lesser periwinkle, or just myrtle, is a perennial beauty that instills a fetching charm in gardens, landscapes, and even potted plants. What Does Vinca Minor Look Like The leaves are a deep shade of rich emerald green, and most leaves have a glossy, polished, or shiny appearance. The leaves are typically oval-shaped with smooth edges, a thick texture, and prominent veins. Some species are variegated. The plants can be erect or trailing. Leaves occur in pairs along the height of the stem, making the plant look lush and thick. The plant is graced with trailing stems and adorned with clusters of small blooms in white or in a pale, pastel purple-blue color that many people associate with serenity. What Are the Attributes of Vinca Minor This plant is active year-round. Delicate little flowers appear early in spring, and they continue to bloom throughout the spring and summer. Against a strikingly verdant backdrop provided by the rich green leaves, the clusters of blossoms are displayed to the best advantage. Creeping myrtles may look delicate. Nevertheless, they are hardy plants that tolerate harsh conditions gracefully. As perennial evergreen plants, they remain bright green throughout the winter. The Ground Cover Characteristics Of Vinca Minor This plant reaches only six inches when upright. However, the roots continue to grow underground every year. Eventually, the roots can become quite long. Although this plant has a medium growth rate, the roots can form a trailing mat, prostrate mat, or a mounding mat. The stems like to get tangled up with each other, so to speak, and as they do, they produce a thick mat of greenery that thrives all year. How Else Can Vinca Minor Be Used These plants also work well as trailers in large hanging baskets and in tall pots. They provide superior coverage for hilly areas and can even be used in landscaping designs where you want subtle pops of color added to your existing ground-cover greenery. They have other uses as well. They have long been used in folk medicine to treat conditions involving the heart, nervous system, and GI tract. The herb is thought to improve cognition and brain health.

Vinca Minor

The Vinca Minor has lush and evergreen foliage and delicate blue or white flowers make it a popular choice for various outdoor spaces. While its benefits extend beyond its use in herbalism, let's explore its landscaping advantages. Vinca Minor, also called creeping myrtle, lesser periwinkle, or just myrtle, is a perennial beauty that instills a fetching charm in gardens, landscapes, and even potted plants. What Does Vinca Minor Look Like The leaves are a deep shade of rich emerald green, and most leaves have a glossy, polished, or shiny appearance. The leaves are typically oval-shaped with smooth edges, a thick texture, and prominent veins. Some species are variegated. The plants can be erect or trailing. Leaves occur in pairs along the height of the stem, making the plant look lush and thick. The plant is graced with trailing stems and adorned with clusters of small blooms in white or in a pale, pastel purple-blue color that many people associate with serenity. What Are the Attributes of Vinca Minor This plant is active year-round. Delicate little flowers appear early in spring, and they continue to bloom throughout the spring and summer. Against a strikingly verdant backdrop provided by the rich green leaves, the clusters of blossoms are displayed to the best advantage. Creeping myrtles may look delicate. Nevertheless, they are hardy plants that tolerate harsh conditions gracefully. As perennial evergreen plants, they remain bright green throughout the winter. The Ground Cover Characteristics Of Vinca Minor This plant reaches only six inches when upright. However, the roots continue to grow underground every year. Eventually, the roots can become quite long. Although this plant has a medium growth rate, the roots can form a trailing mat, prostrate mat, or a mounding mat. The stems like to get tangled up with each other, so to speak, and as they do, they produce a thick mat of greenery that thrives all year. How Else Can Vinca Minor Be Used These plants also work well as trailers in large hanging baskets and in tall pots. They provide superior coverage for hilly areas and can even be used in landscaping designs where you want subtle pops of color added to your existing ground-cover greenery. They have other uses as well. They have long been used in folk medicine to treat conditions involving the heart, nervous system, and GI tract. The herb is thought to improve cognition and brain health.

Fan Clubmoss

A low-growing, evergreen plant with densely packed, needle-like leaves that form a distinctive, fan-like appearance and often cover forest floors. It is a unique and versatile plant with various landscaping benefits. Its distinctive appearance and adaptability make it a popular choice for enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of outdoor spaces. Unlike its name may suggest, it is not a true moss but a primitive vascular plant belonging to the Lycopodiaceae family. Fan clubmoss, which may also be referred to as running cedar or ground pine, has the appearance of a low-growth coniferous plant. However, it is actually a clubmoss, which is related to ferns. This non-flowering perennial plant was once commonly found across the eastern portion of North America. However, deforestation has dramatically reduced its presence in the wild. Because of its many notable attributes, this plant is an ideal choice to consider adding to your yard. The Aesthetics Of Fan Clubmoss This fascinating plant typically grows up to 10 inches tall and a foot wide in ideal conditions. Its pine-looking branches fan out, creating a stunning design up close. From farther away, the ground appears to be blanketed in green. Often, the plant has a dark green base that fades to a yellowish-green hue toward the tips of its leaves, creating a lovely effect. Some people trim the plants into a topiary design to add an ornamental touch to their yard. Weed Control With Fan Clubmoss This plant is commonly used for ground cover as it grows rapidly and stays close to the ground. Because the plants can grow densely together, they can block out sunlight from reaching any vegetation attempting to grow underneath it for optimized weed control. This is a highly adaptable plant, so it can be incorporated in numerous environments. Generally, it will dry out in drought conditions, but it will return again with moisture. Home Decor With Fan Clubmoss At one time, when the plant thrived in its native habitat, this plant was harvested in the wild and used for winter holiday decorations. With the plant growing in your yard, you can easily snip off a few sprigs to dress up your space with a natural touch. The evergreen leaves can also be added to your home decor throughout the rest of the year, such as in a floral vase for a boost of greenery. Minimize Erosion With Fan Clubmoss This plant can absorb a considerable amount of water, which is beneficial during heavy rainstorms. In fact, it can hold ten times its weight in moisture. In areas that are prone to erosion, this plant can offer natural protection.

Partridgeberry Plant

Partridgeberry is a low-growing, trailing evergreen plant with glossy leaves and small, white to pinkish tubular flowers, followed by bright red berries commonly found in woodland settings. It is a charming and low-growing ground cover that offers several benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. Add Year-Round Beauty with This Uncommonly Lovely Partridgeberry Plant If you're looking for a perennial that will add delicate beauty to your garden all year long, look no further than the Partridgeberry. What Is a Partridgeberry Plant If you've ever walked through a forest in the eastern U.S., you have probably come across this delicate woodland creeper. This is a flowering vine with beautiful red berries, bright green leaves, and star-shaped, white flowers. It blossoms in the late spring. As a creeper with long tendrils, it's notable because it doesn't use its tendrils to climb; instead, it creeps along the forest floor. It is native to many forests in eastern North America and has been seen as far north as Canada and as far south as Florida. What Makes the Partridge Berry Special This evergreen features small, compact stems under its flowers. Its dark green leaves don't change color or fall on the ground like those of other plants, so there's no messy cleanup, ever. If you want to attract bees, birds, and other friendly visitors to your garden, you can do it with this attractive, easy-to-grow vine. Why Partridgeberry Plant Belongs in Your Garden Despite its delicate appearance, this flowering vine is hardy enough to create groundcover that stays attractive in any season. In the fall, its glossy green leaves stand out against the falling brown leaves. In spring and summer, enjoy the beauty and fragrance of its bright white flowers. In winter, the bright red berries will remind you of holly berries and other winter delights. Get Lasting Enjoyment Out Of Partridgeberry Plant It's also versatile. Although it grows thick on the ground, it is not a tall shrub. Use it in borders, walkways, paths, or anywhere you want attractive, hardy cover. It's ideal in rock gardens or other hardscape settings. Once set up in the soil, it spreads out thickly, rooting itself deeply into the soil and creating a thick layer of leaves. In short, this common vine will bring uncommon beauty and enjoyment to any garden.

European Ginger

European Ginger is a low-growing ground cover plant that has glossy, heart-shaped leaves and produces small, inconspicuous brownish-purple flowers nestled among its dense, carpet-like foliage. It is a charming and versatile plant with several landscaping benefits. This evergreen perennial herb is native to Europe and is valued for its exotic appearance, low-maintenance nature, and various practical applications in garden design. The European Ginger creates a pleasant aesthetic while also helping to keep away insects and other pests. This plant grows low to the ground and is typically used to provide cover for barren areas or as protection for gardens or other areas that you want to keep free of bugs or animals. What Does This European Ginger Plant Look Like It can grow to be over a foot tall when grown in favorable conditions. The green leaves have a leathery texture that can add some diversity to your yard or garden. In fact, the plant can be used as a garden border to add some natural charm to your property. The green leaves may retain their color depending on the climate in your area. The European Ginger Grows Easily While this plant tends to spread relatively slowly, it does grow in a steady manner, given enough space. In fact, you can get it to grow even faster by separating the roots into separate areas of your yard or garden to get them to propagate quickly. As a general rule, as long as it is planted in the right spot, you won't have to worry about it growing properly after putting roots into the ground. You're Buying a Hardy Plant European Ginger One of the key benefits of this plant is that it won't succumb to disease. Furthermore, aside from slugs or snails, it isn't eaten by other insects or animals, and in numerous instances, it can attract butterflies and other attractive creatures to your property. It is worth noting that harm can be done to the plant if you prune it in the late fall or winter, as the remaining leaves can be vulnerable to burn. Ideally, you will prune it during the summer or early fall to give the plant an opportunity to bounce back before colder weather sets in.

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial plant with heart-shaped leaves and unique, reddish-brown, tubular flowers that are often hidden beneath the foliage, typically found in shaded woodlands. It is a beautiful, versatile groundcover perennial that can be a valuable addition to landscaping. Here are some of its attributes and benefits when used in landscaping. Wild ginger is a plant that many may not be aware of. An ideal addition to a lawn that needs some variety in terms of the types and sizes of plants, there are plenty of reasons to start growing this plant where you live. Let's take a look at what it has to offer and how it might benefit your space. Wild Ginger Acts As a Larger Groundcover This plant is the perfect groundcover for those who want something that's a bit larger and can serve to blend in seamlessly with their much smaller plants and their much larger ones. Its heart-shaped leaves can extend up to eight inches tall, helping it seamlessly blend in throughout areas where smaller flowers feel disjointed in contrast with their much taller counterparts. If you have an area where you're having trouble growing grass, or you want something a bit different, this plant will do! Wild Ginger Attracts Unique Pollinators This plant's flowers do not bloom toward the top. Rather, the jug-like flowers grow near the bottom of the plant. As a result, this attracts pollinators like ants and flies that you wouldn't normally think of as benefitting your garden. If you have other forms of ground cover or smaller plants that may need some extra support, this plant could be an excellent addition to attract the pollinators your other plants aren't bringing in. Wild Ginger Can Suppress Weeds Groundcover is a great way to reduce the number of weeds in your garden or yard. Because ground cover takes up the bulk of the space it's planted in, it's much harder for weeds to take root and begin spreading. Should some weeds manage to start growing, they're much easier to pluck out. This plant is perfect if you're looking to reduce weeds and have something intentionally growing in your space. Wild Ginger Reduces Soil Erosion Groundcover root systems spread across the space and keep soil in place, reducing soil erosion and ensuring that your soil retains its beneficial qualities. It also protects the roots of nearby plants, which is essential if you're looking to create a robust, beautiful garden.

15 Ground Cover Favorites

Ground Cover Favorites To Adorn Hillsides, Get for Soil Erosion and Weed Control  The Nursery proudly offers you the chance to purchase a ground cover grab bag that contains ten healthy plants. This option allows each customer to have a horticulture specialist determine which ground cover plants will perform best in their U.S.D.A. growing zone.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE A COLLECTION OF PLANTS, NOT SPECIFIC PLANT TYPES. WE CHOOSE TYPES THAT WORK BEST FOR YOUR ZONE ACCORDING TO YOUR ZIP CODE Our horticulturists assess your zone and then hand-select your order. You will receive a surprise that includes a variety of 10 beautiful plants. T.N. Nursery specializes in growing species that are easy to care for and suitable for gardeners of every skill level. Ground Cover Grab Bag: Benefits Do you have vacant spots in your yard calling out for some color? Sure, those areas need more interest. Besides adding some curb appeal, adding ground cover plants also provides a few environmental benefits, like these:  Prevent soil erosion: Bare spots tend to compact, causing fast water runoff and wind erosion. Ground cover can help you fill in those areas and maintain your soil. Create a healthy ecosystem: Small mammals, lizards, and ground birds will gravitate toward your ground cover plants. They can escape the hot summer sun and hide their young from predators. Natural weed control: Most gardeners accept weeding as a necessary chore--but it need not be! Plant thick, dense, and fast-spreading groundcover plants. They will steal the nutrients from the weeds. Eventually, you will not need to weed manually or spray damaging chemicals.  Ground Cover Grab Bag May Include:  The ground cover grab bag can include a variety of species--we grow hundreds of different plants at T.N. Nursery, and we know just the right thing for your needs. Your order will be custom-selected to suit the growing needs of your climate.  If you are ready to be delighted and surprised, order your ten-plant groundcover grab bag today--we are eager to select your plants with love and care.