Great Groundcovers

Ajuga and creeping Jenny provide a tapestry of textural foliage in a pathway.

By Jenny Peterson

Groundcovers are agreeable, useful little plants, yet they often get passed over for their larger, showier plant. If you have some problem areas in your garden, I suggest you take a look at groundcovers to address them. Do you have shady areas where grass doesn't grow? Groundcover. Got a pathway that needs some softening? Groundcover. Looking for some low-growing textural interest in your garden? Yep, you guessed it—groundcover!

Here's a rundown of some of the more popular groundcovers, along with suggestions on how to use them.

Ajuga

Ajuga reptans thrives in partial sun to dappled shade and has average watering needs. It will grow up to about 4 inches tall and offers attractive bronzy burgundy foliage. Small, medium blue flowers bloom in early spring through early summer. Ajuga is a great option for a filler between steppingstones on a pathway, as well as for textural interest in the forefront of the garden.

Mondo Grass

Ophiopogon japonicus is an excellent choice for those who can't seem to grow grass in the shade of their towering oak trees. This tiny groundcover grows from 4 to 12 inches tall depending on variety, and offers fine, dark green, strappy foliage. Many gardeners opt to use dwarf mondo grass as a lawn, as it takes foot traffic and can actually be mowed. Give it partial to full shade and average water.

Creeping Jenny

Lysimachia nummularia is a groundcover that's hard to beat if you're looking for a brilliant shock of color. The long runners feature rounded chartreuse leaves that pop in sun to partial shade. I've found this to be a perfect groundcover for planting between steppingstones in a pathway and for adding to hanging plantings to provide long trailers. It does require consistently moist soil, so don't let it dry out.

Sedum

Sedum satisfies the need for a texturally interesting groundcover for hot and dry areas. It will grow in sun to dappled shade and has tiny succulent foliage and equally tiny flowers in white or yellow. This groundcover has many varieties, so simply choose the one that has the foliage and color you like. Just don't give it too much water—this one likes to be on the dry side, so water once every 10 days or so.

Click here to read Great Groundcovers - Part 2!