Groundcovers for Sun and Shade Gardens - Plants to Carpet the Ground
Groundcovers are perennial garden plants that offer wonderful alternatives to lawns. In woodland gardens, where turf fears to tread, many shade garden plants work well as groundcovers for shade. In open spaces try growing flowering perennials up through your groundcovers for a two-layer effect. Two plants can inhabit the same place at the same time...aka horticultural multi-tasking! If all you can find at your local garden center are the ubiquitous vincas and ivies, check out some of the more rare and unique perennial groundcovers that our wide selection of mail order plants offer. Anyone who plants perennials, should consider groundcovers as an important part of their garden. So what is the best ground cover for shade and sun? That all depends on your planting zone, climate, and soil conditions. We're partial to Carex, hardy garden ferns, woodland phlox, and ophiopogon mondo grasses for groundcovers for shade. Good sun groundcovers include Dianthus, Sedum, Liriope, Verbena, and Delosperma. These are but a few of the great groundcover mail order plants you’ll find listed below.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
This marvelous native of Cuba ("Coober" to us Southerners) has long been prized for containers and hanging baskets, but no one ever tried it for winter hardiness. Imagine our surprise when in the mid '80s it survived 0 degrees F. Since then, Acalypha pendula has been one of our favorite summer flowering perennials. The 8" tall x 2' wide clumps of small, fuzzy green leaves are adorned all summer with 5-7" long, trailing, fuzzy red cattails. If you can't afford to buy a red cattail plant, stir a can of red paint with your cat's tail for the same effect, but watch the claws. If you're in the North, Acalypha pendula is still great for hanging baskets and summer containers...simply delightful! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Despite the long, tongue-twisting name, the dwarf golden sweet flag is one of the most striking and certainly the cutest of the acorus. The tufts of tiny, golden, ornamental grass-like, evergold foliage make a slowly spreading patch to 2' wide in 5 years. If you get out the magnifying glass, you'll notice the tiny aroid-like tan spadices (flowers) in early summer. Acorus 'Minimus Aureus' is a bright, deer-resistant, dwarf evergreen perennial groundcover in moist shady areas where it makes either a feature specimen or a killer filler between dark stepping stones...a real highlight in the woodland garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka A1FL-113) This selection of the worldwide native Adiantum capillus-veneris comes from Washington Co., Florida, about an hour west of Tallahassee. Adiantum capillus-veneris 'Falling Waters' has made a splendid patch in our garden with frond pinnae (fern leaflets) that are slightly smaller and narrower than what we typically see in other regional southern maidenhair fern forms. Our five-year-old clumps have spread to 2' wide and so far have survived single digit temperatures with no problems. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Adiantum capillus-veneris A3T-022) We discovered this wonderfully cut leaf form of the southeastern native Adiantum capillus-veneris along Wasp Creek in Kendall County, Texas. Unlike most forms of southern maidenhair fern, the pinnae are shaped like narrow Japanese hand fans. For us, Adiantum 'Fan Dance' forms a tight 6" tall patch that expands to 2' wide in 5 years. We are pleased to finally be able to share this special form of southern maidenhair fern. Moist soils are best. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Adiantum c-v A1CR-090) In 2010, we discovered a small patch of Adiantum capillus-veneris growing in a wet seep at 1680' elevation on the south slope of Crete's Mt. Ida...very near an amazing population of white-flowered Dracunculus vulgaris. Our spore collections germinated well enough that we are able to share. The parent clump was more compact than most of the US native forms, maturing around 6" tall. We expect a 2' wide patch in 5 years...we'll find out together. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(coll. #A2T-034) This form of the wonderful southern maidenhair fern, Adiantum capillus-veneris, comes from spores that we collected in 2000 in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas near the town of Rock Springs. Not that you are interested, but we were stopped three times by border patrol agents who searched our backpacks for illegal aliens...glad I carried a small backpack. Plantsman Scott Ogden showed us this population of southern maidenhair fern growing along a small creek in a very alkaline soil. Our 5-year-old clump is 1' tall x 2' wide and, as you can imagine, quite heat tolerant. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This particularly vigorous form of the little-known walking maidenhair fern was shared by plantsman Roy Works after we admired it in his Tampa, Florida garden. Although Adiantum caudatum emerges late after a hard winter, it is evergreen in milder climates. Our plants have survived 7 degrees F, to form a 5' wide patch in 5 years. The 1.5" wide x 2' long arching fronds, which emerge pink in spring, root into the ground at their tips, forming new plants. Moist soils result in faster growth, but our plants are quite happy in a fairly dry, sandy soil. Adiantum caudatum is a most unusual plant, sure to get your gardening friends talking. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
My first experience with the sterile Adiantum x mairisii was in 1993, thanks to a gift from the late fern collector, Nancy Swell of Virginia. Not to be confused with the Chinese Adiantum mariesii, this reported hybrid of Adiantum capillus-veneris and an unknown baby daddy was discovered around 1885 at the UK's Mairis & Co. Nursery and subsequently named by Chelsea Physic Garden curator and fern collector, Thomas Moore. Adiantum x mairisii performs like a vigorous clone of southern maidenhair fern, but with very good winter hardiness. For us, expect a 3' wide deer-resistant patch of 1' tall, lacy maidenhair foliage in 5 years. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This splendid form of the vigorous North American native Agave lophantha came to us from plantsman, Ted Stephens, of Nurseries Caroliniana and forms the smallest rosettes of any of the wide-leaf forms of Agave lophantha we grow. Each 11" tall x 18" wide variegated rosette is composed of fat 7" long x 2" wide succulent leaves. The dark green, heavily armed leaves are highlighted by a wide central yellow stripe that is even wider on the leaf back. Agave lophantha is a suckering species with offsets held close to the parent rosette. When your Agave 'Splendida' is old enough, it will be topped with a 12' tall, 1" diameter flower spike holding manfreda-like spidery fragrant flowers...hummingbirds not included. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Agave 'Blue Ribbon' is a beautiful selection of Agave macroacantha, which hails from the Mexican state of Puebla, where it makes tight, suckering 1' tall x 18" wide rosettes of blue finger-like leaves, each tipped with a wicked terminal black spine. This wonderful form adds another layer of beauty with a creamy edge around each leaf...simply splendid! In areas where it isn't winter hardy, Agave macroacantha 'Blue Ribbon' makes a superb container specimen. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Native to oak woodlands from Arizona to northern Mexico from 5,000' to 7,000', Agave parryi ssp. huachucensis is the largest member of the hardy Agave parryi group. The very wide, steely blue-grey foliage makes a striking rosette (in more ways than one) to 2' wide. In about 15 years, the clumps are topped with giant Jack and the Beanstalk-like flower spikes to 12' tall! The leaves of Agave parryi ssp. huachucensis are flatter and wider, but not as thick as A. parryi ssp. parryi. As with all agaves, winter drainage is absolutely critical for survival in cold climates. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: 'Kitsuyoteh Hakafu', 'Mediopicta Alba') Agave parryi ssp. huachucensis 'Excelsior' started its life as a seedling from California's Excelsior Gardens around 1967 and was first commercialized in the 1980s by Nature's Curiosity Shop. For us, the 6" tall x 1' wide tight rosette is highlighted by a 1.25" wide chartreuse central stripe. We are unsure of the ultimate size of Agave parryi 'Excelsior', but expect it may double the listed size. Agave 'Excelsior' grows extremely slow when young, but faster as it ages and begins to offset. We are uncertain of its cold hardiness, but it could be much hardier than our tentative Zone 7 rating if kept very dry in winter...a splendid addition to our line of winter hardy agaves. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Okay, I'd probably grow Ajuga 'Planet Zork' just for the name, but imagine my excitement when this cool bugleweed turned out to be a cool garden plant as well. Most ajugas don't fare well in our heat and humidity, but to my surprise, Ajuga 'Planet Zork' has performed wonderfully in our garden trials. This compact bugleweed selection comes from Japan where its slow clumping growth habit and upwardly cupped, crinkled, grey-green, deer-resistant leaves with a pink overlay are highly prized. Superficially, Ajuga 'Planet Zork' looks like Ajuga 'Burgundy Glow' that was sprayed with weedkiller...a likely leftover from the "better gardening through chemicals" program. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Thanks to ginger guru Tom Wood for telling us about Alpinia pumila, which has become one of our new favorite hardy gingers. Alpinia pumila hails from the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, and Yunnan where it can be found in mountain valleys at 1,600'-3,600'. Alpinia pumila makes a diminutive, slowly stoloniferous, tropical-looking groundcover with 6" long x 3" wide green leaves, highlighted by broad silver streaks. The cardamon-scented leaves (evergreen in mild climates) are held at a low, nearly horizontal angle to the ground. As if you need more, watch for the 1" tall basal flower spikes of bright red in April-May...simply charming for deep shady areas...both the alpinia and Tom. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This Japanese selection improves on the native Brazilian species with dramatic, white-edged leaves. This winter-grower makes a spreading mass of attractive foliage to 15" tall x 3' wide in 6 years (much slower than the species). In June, the flowering stems erupt to nearly 3', each topped with narrow tubular flowers speckled maroon and green...a hummingbird magnet. After flowering, the clump goes semi-dormant for the summer, re-emerging in September. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
From Mark Bridgen at Cornell University comes this extraordinarily hardy and fragrant princess lily. The winter rosettes of green foliage give rise from June through September to 30" tall stems of golden flowers, highlighted with orange tips and cinnamon specks. The sweet fragrance of the abundant floral display makes this a must for the summer border...and is a hummingbird magnet. In our climate, many princess lilies die of heat stroke when they experience our summers, but not Alstroemeria 'Sweet Laura'. Once established, this Alstroemeria caryophyllaea hybrid spreads very slowly, unlike many of the more aggressive species. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Although it sounds more like a cheap breakfast drink from the 1960s, Alstroemeria 'Tangerine Tango' is actually the latest from the breeding work of Cornell's Mark Bridgen, making it the orange-flowered counterpart to Alstroemeria 'Sweet Laura'. This vigorous grower makes a 3' wide patch, topped with 30" tall spikes that end in clusters of narrow-petaled bright orange flowers, highlighted by a yellow blotch and cinnamon flecks. For us, flowering begins in mid-June and continues all summer...a constant treat for hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Alstroemeria 'The Third Harmonic' is an amazing hybrid from California breeder George Hare that is little known outside of the West Coast. After several years in our trials, it has ranked as one of our top performers. This sterile cross of Alstroemeria 'Peach Harmony' and Alstroemeria aurantiaca is a vigorous grower topped virtually all summer with 4' tall flower stalks with clusters of large, medium orange flowers, each with a purple-flecked lip...a hummingbird favorite. The back of the petals also have a lovely contrasting burnt-maroon flush. Whether you enjoy it in the garden or indoors as a cut flower, this is a real winner! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available 5-30-2013 (aka: Amsonia WFF form) Amsonia 'Blue Ice' is an amazing selection of blue star that was discovered in a seedling block of A. tabernaemontana at Connecticut's Sunny Border Nursery by Michael Dodge, then of White Flower Farm. (We suspect it is actually a hybrid with Amsonia montana or Amsonia orientalis but a paternity test is still pending.) Regardless of its origin, the 2' wide mound of narrow, dark green, deer-resistant foliage is topped in early spring with large clusters of very dark lavender-blue flowers...much more vivid than other blue stars. For us Amsonia 'Blue Ice' has been an amazingly vigorous plant, lending credence to a hybrid origin...a superb introduction for the spring garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Finally! After walking through acres of Arachniodes standishii on Korea's Uulong Island, I understand why it is probably the most sought-after fern by gardeners worldwide. The lacy, cutleaf 18" fronds rise from a thick, slowly creeping rhizome. Our 18-year-old clumps are only 3-4' wide. Unfortunately, it is one of the least-available ferns in commerce due to reproductive issues. After 16 years of intensive sex therapy, our plant finally set a few viable spores. We're not sure how long it will stay in the mood, so get 'em while they last. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
.jpg "Adiantum x mairisii (Mairis's Hardy Maidenhair Fern)")
