There are a lot of plants can be considered groundcovers. Certainly, low-growing spreading plants are groundcovers but so are clumping, non-spreading plants that look nice when grown in large groups.
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Achimenes 'Harry Williams'
Item #: 6169
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter, Spring
Height: 12" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'
Item #: 369
Zones: 5a to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 12" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: China, Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Adiantum hispidulum 'Mt. Haleakala'
Item #: 5934
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 12" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Adiantum x mairisii
Item #: 4799
Zones: 6a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 12" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: United States Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Adiantum pedatum
Item #: 320
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Adiantum venustum
Next crop available: 11/01/2020
Item #: 3658
Zones: 4b to 8a
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Agave parryi ssp. truncata
Item #: 5247
Zones: 8a to 9b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: Mexico
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Ajuga pyramidalis 'Metallica Crispa Purpurea'
Item #: 39
Zones: 3a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 3" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Europe
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop' PP 15,815
Item #: 13515
Zones: 3a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 3" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Europe
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Ajuga reptans 'Pink Lightning' PP 22,255
Item #: 9260
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Europe
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Ajuga tenorei 'Blueberry Muffin' PP 22,092
Item #: 14897
Zones: 4a to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 3" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Italy
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Allium kiiense
Item #: 3352
Zones: 5a to 9b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Allium 'Millenium'
Item #: 5466
Zones: 5a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 12" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Allium 'Pink Planet'
Item #: 12727
Zones: 4a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Alpinia pumila
Next crop available: 10/02/2020
Item #: 8542
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Alstroemeria psittacina 'Variegata'
Item #: 3028
Zones: 6b to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 15" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Brazil
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Amsonia 'Blue Ice'
Item #: 4225
Zones: 4a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 15" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: United States Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Amsonia ciliata var. filifolia 'Georgia Pancake'
Next crop available: 10/09/2020
Item #: 5375
Zones: 5a to 9b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 5" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Amsonia hubrichtii
Item #: 759
Zones: 5a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Storm Cloud'
Item #: 12043
Zones: 5a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Arachniodes simplicior 'Variegata'
Next crop available: 10/30/2020
Item #: 1428
Zones: 7a to 9b, possibly colder
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Light Shade
Origin: India
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Arachniodes standishii
Next crop available: 10/16/2020
Item #: 6234
Zones: 4a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Light Shade
Origin: China, Japan, Korea
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Ardisia japonica 'Angyo Pixie'
Item #: 14974
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aristolochia fimbriata
Item #: 3031
Zones: 7a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Argentina, Brazil
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum arifolium 'Anise Arrow'
Next crop available: 10/30/2020
Item #: 14977
Zones: 5a to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum asperum 'Silver Streak'
Item #: 13294
Zones: 6a to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 3" tall
Culture: Light Shade
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum caudigerellum
Item #: 13452
Zones: 7b to 9b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 4" tall
Culture: Light Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum fauriei var. takaoi 'Ginba'
Item #: 5622
Zones: 4b to 8a
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 2" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum fauriei var. takaoi 'Roundabout'
Item #: 9820
Zones: 4b to 8b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 3" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum forbesii 'Mercury'
Item #: 6104
Zones: 5a to 8b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Light Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum forbesii 'Venus'
Item #: 13283
Zones: 5a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter, Fall
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Light Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum harperi 'Callaway'
Next crop available: 10/02/2020
Item #: 678
Zones: 5a to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 3" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum kurosawae 'Saddleback'
Item #: 13288
Zones: 7a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum macranthum 'Creeping Tortoise'
Next crop available: 10/30/2020
Item #: 14992
Zones: 7b to 9b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 3" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: Taiwan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum nobilissimum 'Deep Throat'
Item #: 3660
Zones: 7a to 9b, guessing
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 10" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum nobilissimum 'Iron Butterfly'
Item #: 13448
Zones: 7a to 9b, guessing
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 10" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum nobilissimum 'King Kong'
Item #: 9568
Zones: 7a to 9b, guessing
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 10" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum porphyronotum var. atrovirens 'Irish Spring'
Item #: 12966
Zones: 7b to 9b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum 'Setsu Getsu Ka'
Item #: 7614
Zones: 5b to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 3" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum speciosum 'Bloodshot Eyes'
Item #: 14993
Zones: 5a to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 10" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum splendens
Item #: 720
Zones: 5a to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 6" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Asarum 'Tama Rasya'
Item #: 7915
Zones: 5b to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 3" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra ebianensis 'Flowing Fountains'
Item #: 9916
Zones: 7b to 11
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra elatior 'Akebono'
Item #: 1813
Zones: 7b to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra elatior 'Asahi'
Item #: 2538
Zones: 7a to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra elatior 'Fuji-No-Mine'
Item #: 7064
Zones: 7b to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra elatior 'Lennon's Song'
Item #: 4349
Zones: 7b to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra elatior 'Okame'
Item #: 2314
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra elatior 'Snow Cap'
Next crop available: 10/23/2020
Item #: 8422
Zones: 7a to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra elatior 'Stars and Stripes'
Item #: 7522
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra grandiflora 'Big Spotty'
Item #: 9408
Zones: Tropical
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: Vietnam
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra guangxiensis 'Kunming Starlet'
Item #: 9406
Zones: 8a to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra guangxiensis 'Stretch Marks'
Item #: 7059
Zones: 8a to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra oblanceifolia 'Nagoya Stars'
Item #: 8431
Zones: 7b to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Rawhide'
Item #: 2172
Zones: 8b to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 20" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Spek-tacular'
Item #: 8593
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra subrotata 'Mr. Jiew'
Item #: 8430
Zones: 9a to 10b, guessing
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 20" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aspidistra vietnamensis 'Amanogawa'
Next crop available: 11/06/2020
Item #: 6587
Zones: 8b to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
Aster ageratoides 'Ezo Murasaki'
Next crop available: 10/09/2020
Item #: 9337
Zones: 4a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L) ?
More Information About Groundcovers
What is a groundcover plant?
There are a lot of plants can be considered perennial groundcovers. Certainly, low-growing spreading plants are groundcovers but so are clumping, non-spreading plants that look nice when grown in large groups. Flowering groundcovers cover large open areas of garden, help prevent erosion, suppress weeds, reduce soil water loss through evaporation, and with proper plant selection, they look great while doing it. Plus, groundcovers reduce your need for mulch, which is nice because who likes spreading mulch all over the place every year?
Garden design with groundcover plants
- Flowering groundcover plants are an interesting alternative to conventional lawns if you do not walk on them too often.
- In woodland areas, where turf will not grow, you should use groundcovers for shade.
- You can grow groundcovers in between patio pavers and along paths and over the tops of stone walls to soften the edges of the stones.
- Hill sides that are hard to access and tough to maintain should be planted with groundcover perennials to minimize erosion and still look manicured. Especially drought tolerant groundcovers.
- In open spaces try growing taller flowering perennials that push up through your groundcovers for a two-layered effect.
What are the best groundcover perennials?
If all you can find at your local garden center are the ubiquitous vincas and ivies, check out our rare and unique perennials that make good tough groundcover plants. Below are some groundcovers that we especially like.
Best groundcovers for shade:
- Carex - evergreen groundcover for shade with grassy texture. several variegated forms to choose from.
- Hardy garden ferns - shade groundcover with great texture for the shade garden.
- Woodland phlox - beautiful blue flowers in spring. Spreads around by seed into a groundcover for shade.
- Ophiopogon (mondo grasses) - dwarf varieties are great in-between pavers.
- Hosta - always a classic groundcover for shade!
Best sun loving groundcovers
- Dianthus - blue foliage (some varieties) and clove scented flowers.
- Sedum - Drought tolerant succulent looks great draping over walls
- Liriope - tough as nails. easy to maintain.
- Verbena - attracts butterflies
- Delosperma - colorful flowering succulent
- Muhlenbergia -fine textured grass that looks great growing in mass
- Laurentia - teeny tiny leaves topped with teeny tiny blue flowers...cute as a button
Check out our many blog posts about groundcovers and our short articles about groundcovers and using liriope or black mondo as a shade groundcover.