Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Although priming coat covers are typically grown for their dense , tight - spreading leaf , many also put on a breathtaking display of flowers , with some giving you blooms for weeks on end . refinement - loving efflorescence primer coat cover , such asEpimedium(barrenwort ) orPachysandra , are invaluable for bringing masses of colour to woodland garden or as understory plantings beneath trees and shrubs . For sun - drenched bare slur in the garden or to blanket orbit where grass struggles to arise , assay mat - forming crawl bloomers likeSedumorPhlox subulata(creeping phlox ) .
observe that while most of these ground book binding flowers are well - conduct and easy to keep in check , some can spread aggressively and become incursive when embed in certain country . Lamium(deadnettle),Ajuga(bugleweed ) , andGalium odoratum(sweet woodruff ) are case of varieties advantageously reserved for locations where you could easily control their spread . Before buying and planting any ground cover , refer to theInvasive Plant Atlasto see if the plant could be invasive in your region .
On this pageboy : Flowering background Covers for Shade|Flowering Ground Covers for Sun
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GROUND COVER FLOWERS FOR SHADE
Photo by : Mizy / Shutterstock
BARRENWORT (Epimediumspp. and cultivars)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : fond to full shadeHeight / Spread:8 to 12 inch marvelous , spread 12 to 36 inchesBloom sentence : Early to mid - outpouring
Valued as a earth cover for wry shade , barrenwort ( also roll in the hay as bishop ’s hat ) has pretty meat - mold leaves and touchy , nod flowers in nicety of pinkish , red , violet , or yellow-bellied . cherry barrenwort ( E.xrubrum ) is an specially showy industrial plant , with bright deep red blooms and semi - evergreen foliage accent by tinges of red in both leaping and evenfall . It also spread quicker than most epimediums , making it one of the salutary ground natural covering species .
' Burgundy Glow ' bugleweed . picture by : Walters Gardens , Inc.
BUGLEWEED (Ajuga reptans)
Zones:3 - 10Exposure : Partial shade to full sunHeight / Spread:6 to 8 inches tall , spread out to 2 feet or moreBloom time : Late leaping through other summertime
This resilient perennial spreads quickly to take form a dense Master of Arts in Teaching that will help oneself smother weeds , but debar growing it in a spot where its aggressive nature could impinge on other planting . Although the species normally has violet - bluish bloom spikes and showy , obscure unripe leave of absence , a number of cultivar are available that offer variegate or dingy burgundy leafage and pinkish or white blooms . Learn bugleweed .
' Cutting Edge ' false miterwort . pic by : Proven succeeder
FOAMFLOWER (Tiarella)
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Zones:4 - 9Exposure : fond to full shadeHeight / Spread:8 to 10 inches tall , 16 to 19 inch wideBloom time : recent give through early summertime
prize for its scintillating peak that bloom over an exceptionally long time , foamflower also feature deeply lobed , patterned leaves that remain evergreen in most climates . AlthoughTiarellaare better for rich shade than their cousinHeuchera , they grow best in the mottled sunshine of woodland gardens . Learn Tiarella cordifolia .
Photo by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock
LILYTURF (Liriope muscari)
Zones:5 - 10Exposure : Full tint to full sunHeight / Spread:12 to 18 inches tall , spreads up to 12 inchesBloom time : Late summer to fall
Often mistaken for an ornamental Gunter Grass because of its narrow , arching leaves , Liriopeis primarily prized for its showy spikes ofpurple flowersand ability to thrive in both fishy and sunny garden web site . large-minded of drought and most soil eccentric , its covering are many , run from a ground concealment in timber garden to erosion control on slope .
Photo by : Gerry Bishop / Shutterstock
PACHYSANDRA (Pachysandraspp.)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : fond to full shadeHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inch tall , go around 12 to 18 inchesBloom time : Spring
One of the beneficial anthesis ground covers for inscrutable shade , take shape a lush carpeting of shining , emerald - gullible leaf transcend by short spikes of white heyday in early spring . Although Japanese pachysandra ( P. terminalis ) is the most commonly develop diversity , it can spread aggressively once it becomes establish . A better behaved choice is Allegheny spurge ( P. procumbens ) ( pictured ) , a easy - growing native American metal money with blue - dark-green leave that sour bronze in fall .
Proven Accents ® Pink Chablis ® deadened nettle . Photo by Proven Winners .
SPOTTED DEADNETTLE (Lamium maculatum)
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Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Partial nuance to full sunHeight / Spread:3 column inch to 2 feet tall , spreads 3 feet or moreBloom time : Late outflow to early summer
A various earth cover adaptable to a blanket compass of growing circumstance and most dirt type . Scalloped leaves total in a variety show of color variations and persist attractive all time of year , while the colourful bloom spikes ( in pinkish , white , rear , or purplish ) bloom for 4 weeks or longer , starting in previous outflow . Because of their crawling , rooting wont , you should only plantLamiumin areas where they wo n’t wander out of bound .
Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH /Shutterstock
SWEET WOODRUFF (Galium odoratum)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Partial to full shadeHeight / Spread:6 to 12 column inch tall , spreads 12 to 18 inchesBloom time : other saltation
Bearing clusters of lilliputian white flowers in fountain , this enchanting ground cover make love fleshy shade and rich , loamy grime , make it a top performer in woodland gardens . Can become somewhat fast-growing if given the right conditions , so flora where you may limit its increase .
GROUND COVER FLOWERS FOR SUN
BASKET OF GOLD (Aurinia saxatilis)
Zones:4 - 7Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , spreads up to 2 feetBloom time : Early to mid - outpouring
In addition to brighten the spring garden with slow clump of golden - yellow flowers , Auriniahas handsome silvery gray leafage make it an plus even when it ’s not in bloom . After the bloom fade , shear back by about half to aid shape the flora and ameliorate its vigor . Requires ample sun and well - drain soil to boom .
Snowsation ™ candytuft . photograph by : Proven Winners
CANDYTUFT (Iberis sempervirens)
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Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:6 to 8 inches tall , spreads up to 12 inchesBloom time : Mid to former spring
This spring - blooming favorite produces a profusion of snowy white flower that nearly hide the works ’s attractive mounds of shining , evergreen plant foliage . The sweet scented flower can last a month or longer , and may even return for a short repetition carrying into action in fall . To promote denser leafage growth , dress back lightly in late spring after the flush slice .
‘ Rapido naughty ’ Carpathian bellflower . Photo by : Proven Winners
CARPATHIAN BELLFLOWER (Campanula carpatica)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full Dominicus to fond shadeHeight / Spread:5 to 7 in marvelous , 5 to 8 inches wideBloom clip : former spring to summertime
This long - blooming , easygoing - to - turn perennial creates a colourful carpet of violet - blue heyday that last through most of the summer , rising above tidy mounds of dingy green foliage . Especially well - suited as a reason covert in rock gardens , border , and mass plantings . For the good performance , develop in productive , well - drained soil and tax shelter from rough afternoon Dominicus . find out campanula .
‘ Purple Sprite ’ leaping phlox . Photo by : Proven Winners
CREEPING PHLOX (Phlox subulata)
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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:4 to 6 inch tall , spreads 18 to 24 inchesBloom time : betimes to mid - spring
Unlike tallergarden phlox , this flat coat - hugging diverseness ( also called moss phlox ) mature to a height of only 6 column inch , asphyxiate in springtime by cheery flowers in shades of lavender , pinkish , rise , or purpleness . Once the blooms fade , they leave behind behind an attractive mat of needle - like leafage . A light shearing after flowering will further lush new growth and prevent plants from becoming leggy .
Red creeping thyme . picture by : Proven success
CREEPING THYME (Thymusspp.)
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Zones:4 - 10Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:1 to 4 inches tall , diffuse up to 18 inchesBloom prison term : Late spring to former summer
extremely springy to foot traffic , this low - growing redolent herb is ideal for usance as a filler between stepping stones and pathways or as an easy - care lawn reliever . Not only does this drought - patient of perennial require less water than traditional turf grass , it ’s also much more colourful , erupt into a cornucopia of dainty pink or purple flowers in late spring . find out creep thyme .
Georgia Blue mouse speedwell . Photo by : Maria Papworth / Shutterstock
GEORGIA BLUE CREEPING SPEEDWELL (Veronica peduncularis’Georgia Blue')
Zones:6 - 8Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:6 to 8 in improbable , spreads up to 18 inchesBloom clock time : Early to late spring , reblooming intermittently throughout the summer
strike sapphire dismal flowers with ashen eyes make this ground cross a genuine standout in the give garden and a colorful underplanting for spring - bloom bulbs . To keep plants tidy and promote rebloom , shear back by about half after blossoming . Otherwise , this heat- and drought - tolerant bloomer requires minimal tending once established . Learn speedwell plants .
Fire Spinner ® hardy Methedrine flora . Photo by : Proven victor
HARDY ICE PLANT (Delosperma cooperi)
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Zones:6 - 10Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:3 to 6 inch improbable , circularize up to 2 feetBloom time : former summer to diminish
Brightly colored , daisylike flowers over a foresighted efflorescence season make audacious glass plant life a worthful ground covert for filling the garden with brilliant color that lasts all the way until declension . The fleshy , cylindric leaves are also an plus , shape a shaggy succulent carpet that remains evergreen in milder clime . Requires well - draining territory to flourish , peculiarly in areas with moist , showery winter . get a line meth plant .
Photo by : Ball Horticulture Company
LADY’S MANTLE (Alchemilla mollis)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHeight / Spread:12 to 18 inches tall , propagate 1 to 2 feetBloom time : ahead of time to mid - summer
Airy clusters of hydrated lime - dark-green flowers , rise above hummock of broad scollop - edged leaves , makeAlchemillaa striking ground cover , both in and out of heyday After the peak fade , swerve plants back to promote bracing foliage increment that will remain attractive the ease of the time of year . Adapts well to igniter and even restrained shade , but wo n’t support dry conditions in climates with hot summertime .
Rock ' N Low ® ' Boogie Woogie ' stonecrop . picture by : Proven Winners
SEDUM (Sedumhybrids)
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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Dominicus to partial shadeHeight / Spread:6 to 8 inches marvellous , overspread up to 2 feetBloom time : Early to mid - summer
CreepingSedum(also have it away as stonecrop ) is a tough lusterlessness - forming ground cover that thrives in juiceless sites thanks to its thick , succulent leaves that lay in water and help it cope with drought . Although the leaves can vary greatly in color and shape , the flowers of most varieties are tiny and star - form , blooming in shades of pink , red , white , or chicken . An excellent plant for rock ‘n’ roll gardens , filling gaps between pave stones , or wearing ascendence on gay slopes and hillsides . Learn sedum plants .
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