Ground covers are low-growing, compact plants that are excellent for filling in bare areas of our gardens and prevent soil erosion. Vinca, sedum, and ivy are the more common of ground cover, but there are alternatives if you'd like something a little practical or unique.
Herbs:
A wide variety of herbs can also be used as ground cover. Thyme is an excellent choice for full sun and light or sandy soil. It comes in a number of varieties, including woolly thyme that is extremely short and has a rather fuzzy or "woolly" appearance. Lemon thyme has tiny variegated leaves and has a distinctive lemony scent. Thyme grows best in full sun and is hardy in zones 5-9 and grows to 6" to 12" tall. It likes to have its roots cool and its leaves in full sun, so it's perfect for rock gardens or planting under the bottom step of your deck or porch. It is also excellent for flavoring and adding nutrients to soups, stews and dressings. You can start seeds indoors six-weeks before planting season or plant small plants directly about 12" apart.
Oregano is a perennial herb (except in extremely cold climates) and makes a lovely ground cover. There are creeping varieties, but some will reach two' tall, so check the tags before purchasing oregano. It is a traditional seasoning for Italian dishes such as pasta sauces, poultry and stews. Start seeds indoors six weeks before the last projected frost or purchase plants and plant eight" to ten" apart in full sun. Oregano is cold hardy in zones 5-10.
Sweet Woodruff is an excellent choice for more natural woodland gardens or pathways. It is mostly known for its use in May wine and Rhine wine. It adds a soft fresh-mown hay fragrance to your garden. It has attractive leafy foliage and creates a carpet of white flowers in May. It is hardy in zones 4-9 and grows to 12" tall. Sweet Woodruff is the main ingredient for May wine, so you may want to try making your own.
Roman Chamomile loves full sun and quickly fills in bare spots in any garden. A light loamy soil suits it best. The flowers are used to make a soothing tea that is said to help alleviate insomnia. It has a sweet fragrance and deep evergreen foliage. It is hardy in zones 4-8 and grows to a height of 12".
EVERGREEN GROUND COVER
Juniper, Blue Rug is an excellent choice for ground cover in a more formal garden. It is low-growing evergreen and has blue-green feathery foliage that turns a soft purple in fall. It forms a dense mat four to five feet wide and only 4" to 6" high. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. It prefers well-drained soil and is very drought resistant. It is hardy in zones 3-9. Blue Rug Juniper is an excellent low-growing foundation planting with taller shrubs growing behind it.
Aurinia, Mountain Gold is an evergreen ground cover that works well along walkways or tumbling over rocks. Fragrant yellow flowers cover it in spring and feathery gray-green foliage fills in the rest of the year. It is very easy to grow and is hardy in zones 4-9. It prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. This is a tall version of ground cover and can grow to four' to six' tall.
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
Ribbon Grass is excellent for boggy or wet areas but also does well in dryer conditions. Its variegated green and white leaves (or blades) brighten up dull areas of your garden. It is very invasive, so keep that in mind when planting it. My Grandmother grew it in the space between side of the house and the walkway and it thrived in the poor soil and limited sun. It can reach up to three' tall and one plant will quickly fill in a four' wide space. It is hardy in zones 4-9 and prefers full to partial shade.
Sedge Grass is an attractive alternative ground cover that comes in a variety of colors. The botanical name is CAREX Comans and the "Bronze" variety adds a lovely reddish-orange color to your garden. It also comes in a white/green color, yellow and even orange. This ground cover forms fountain-like clumps, and prefers partial sun and moist soil. It is hardy in zones 6-9.
PENNISETUM a. 'Little Bunny' is a miniature fountain grass that is very attractive when planted in front of larger grasses or border plantings. Little pussy willow-type blossoms add extra interest. It prefers dry soil and full sun. It is hardy in zones 5-9.
Group plantings are an attractive way to add these little mounds to your garden.
FERNS
Ferns come in low-growing varieties that are excellent for deep shade where few plants will grow. Athyrium Pictum or Japanese Painted Fern has gray-green foliage with red stems. They are rather expensive, so plant them near the front of your home or along a walkway.
Cinnamon Stick or Ostrich ferns are tall, but will fill in a shady area quickly. These are excellent in a woodland setting or at the back of a shade garden.
Deer will not eat ferns, so they are an excellent choice if you have a problem with deer dining on your perennials.
So, when considering ground cover, there are many choices for a wide variety of soil types, climates, and light exposures. More and more gardeners are choosing ground covers over grass lawns to create a 'greener' eco-friendly landscape. Ground covers require little maintenance, no mowing or chemicals to keep them healthy and attractive. Try a few and have fun discovering ground covers!