by Denise Calaman

Created on: May 18, 2009

Groundcovers make beautiful additions to many different types of flower beds and play an important role in the health of flower beds. Not only do groundcovers cover bare spots but their deep tap roots help to sustain moisture and prevent erosion. Sun loving groundcovers tend to brighten up green beds with showy, colorful flowers. Many sun loving groundcovers will also grow in partial shade, however; they will not grow to their full potential or flower as vibrantly as when they are grown in a sunny garden bed. Just as with other types of plants sun loving groundcover plants will do best when grown in the USDA hardiness zone that offers the best type of growing conditions suited to each type of plant.

Zone 2-

Zone 2 plants have to be hardiest of all plants in order to adapt to their sometimes harsh growing conditions. USDA hardiness zone 2 is the rarest hardiness zone found in the United States reserved for interior sections of Alaska. Winter temperatures in zone 2 may reach well below -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Sun loving groundcovers that grow in zone 2 are adaptable to the changing amounts of sunlight received in this zone. They are also fast growers due to the short growing season of zone 2.

Fernleaf Yarrow (Achillea filipendula), is a perennial groundcover plant able to withstand the growing conditions found in zone 2. This unusual but beautiful plant grows at a moderate pace, blooming showy yellow flowers May through October. It may be planted in full sun or partial shade and requires little maintenance and little water. Each plant will spread 1-1/2 feet. This plant will tolerate infrequent foot traffic.

Zone 3-

Zone 3 plants still have to be quite hardy to survive their environment. Zone 3 winter temperatures may reach well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit and even in the hottest days of summer, nighttime temperatures can reach near freezing. USDA hardiness zone 3 is found in parts of Alaska and the extreme northern parts of the continental United States as found in parts of Montana, Michigan, North Dakota and Minnesota.

Hay Scented Fern (a delicate looking fern. It prefers full sun and is extremely cold hardy. It can be quite aggressive and takes over beds quickly. Just two plants will cover a one yard area in two seasons or less. Hay scented fern may look delicate but it is extremely tough and will withstand the heaviest foot traffic.

Zone 4-

USDA zone 4 covers the Rocky Mountains, northern Montana,

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