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Perennial Groundcover

BOTANICAL

COMMON

HEIGHT

SUN OR

USE

SPACING

EVERGREEN

FLOWERS

CULTURE

NAME

NAME

approx.

SHADE

 

 

 

 

 

Achillea millefolium

Yarrow

18"

SUN

Meadow effect, butterflies.

18-24"

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained soil. Flowers are red,pink,white,yellow.

Aegopodium podagraria `Variegatum'

Bishop's Weed

4-6"

PARTIAL

Woodland groundcover.

12"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil, white flower, variegated foliage.

Ajuga reptans (many varieties)

Bugleweed

3-6"

SUN TO SHADE

Slow spreading cover.

6-12"

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained soil. Flowers are blue, pink, or white.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Bearberry, Kinikinick, native

4"

SUN TO PART

Low spreading shrub.

4-6"

EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Pink flower in spring. Red berries in fall.

Asperula odorata (Galium)

Sweet Woodruff

8-12"

SHADE TO PART

Woodland groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Moist fertile soil. Sweet scented white flowers.

Astilbe chinensis `Pumila'

Dwarf Spreading Astilbe

8-12"

PARTIAL

Woodland groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Moist fertile soil. Pink flower born in late summer.

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides

Plumbago, Leadwort

6-12"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Moist fertile well-drained soil. Blue flower, ruby red fall color.

Chrysogonum virgianum

Goldenstar, Green and Gold, native

8"

SHADE TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Moist, well-drained fertile soil. Yellow flowers in spring.

Convallaria majalis

Lily-of-the-Valley

6-8"

SHADE

Flowering groundcover.

12"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Fragrant white flower, berries in fall.

Cotoneaster adpressus `Praecox'

Creeping Cotoneaster

12"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover shrub.

2-3'

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. White flowers, fall color, red berries.

Cotoneaster apiculatus

Cranberry Cotoneaster

3'

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover shrub.

2-3'

NOT EVERGREEN

Late spring 

Well-drained fertile soil. White flowers, fall color, red berries.

Cotoneaster apiculatus `Little Gem'

Little Gem Cranberry Cotoneaster

24"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover shrub.

2-3'

NOT EVERGREEN

Late spring 

Well-drained fertile soil. White flowers,ruby red fall color.

Cotoneaster cashmiriensis (microphyllus)

Thyme Leaf Cotoneaster

2'

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover shrub.

2-3'

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. White flowers, fall color, red berries.

Cotoneaster dammeri `Strieb's Findling'

Strieb's Findling Cotoneaster

12"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover shrub.

2-3'

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. White flowers, fall color, red berries.

Cotoneaster salicifolius `Repandens'

Willowleaf Cotoneaster

24"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover shrub.

2-3'

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Late spring 

Well-drained fertile soil. White flowers, red berries.

Cytisus decumbens

Creeping Broom

4-12"

SUN

Flowering groundcover shrub.

24"

EVERGREEN

Early Summer

Well-drained fertile soil.Yellow flowers.

Dennstaedia punctiloba

Hay-scented Fern

24"

SUN TO SHADE

Delicate foliage groundcover.

24"

NOT EVERGREEN

None

Moist well-drained fertile soil. Good for naturalizing.

Dianthus deltoides

Fairy Pinks

6-8"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

EVERGREEN

Late spring 

Well-drained fertile soil. Flower are white,pink,or red.

Epimedium sp.

Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat

8-24"

SHADE TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil.White,pink,or red flowers. Not all var.evergreen.

Euonymous fortunei `Harlequin'

Harlequin Creeping Euonymous

12-24"

SUN TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

12-18"

EVERGREEN

Not noticed

Well-drained fertile soil. White and green variegated foliage.

Euonymous fortunei `Gracilis'

Variegated Creeping Euonymous

18"

SUN TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

12-18"

EVERGREEN

Not noticed

Well-drained fertile soil. White and green variegated foliage.

Euonymous fortunei `Kewensis'

Kew Gardens Euonymous

6"

SUN TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

12-18"

EVERGREEN

Not noticed

Well-drained fertile soil. Very dark green foliage with silver veins.

Euonymous fortunei `Longwoodi'

Longwood Gardens Creeping Euonymous

8"

SUN TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

12-18"

EVERGREEN

Not noticed

Well-drained fertile soil. Very dark green foliage with silver veins.

Euonymous fortunei var. coloratus

Winter Creeper Euonymous

12"

SUN TO SHADE

Foliage groundcover.

12-24"

EVERGREEN

Not noticed

Well-drained fertile soil. Foliage turns plum purple in fall.

Fragaria frel `Pink Panda'

Pink Strawberry

4-6"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

18-24"

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Spring-summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Will produce edible fruits.

Gaultheria procumbens

Wintergreen, native

3-5"

SHADE TO PART

Woodland groundcover.

12-18"

EVERGREEN

Spring

Moist, fertile well-drained soil. Glossy foliage, white flowers, red berries.

Genista lydia

Lydia Woodwaxen

24"

SUN

Flowering groundcover shrub.

36"

EVERGREEN

Early Summer

Well-drained fertile soil.Yellow flowers.

Geranium sangineum

Bloody Cranesbill

6-15"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Late spring 

Moist, well-drained fertile soil. Flowers pink,purple, white. Ruby fall color.

Gypsophila repens

Creeping Baby's Breath

4-6"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. White or pink flowers.

Hedera helix (many varieties)

English Ivy, Ivies

3-5"

SHADE TO PART

Woodland groundcover.

12"

EVERGREEN

None

Well-drained fertile soil. Many variegated varieties.

Helleborus orientalis

Lenten Rose

15-18"

SHADE TO PART

Woodland groundcover.

18-24"

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Late winter

Moist, fertile well-drained soil. Flowering pink, white, or green.

Houttuynia cordata

Chameleon Plant

10-12"

SUN TO SHADE

Foliage groundcover.

24"

NOT EVERGREEN

Late spring 

Average garden soil, White flower, variegated foliage. Aggressive.

Iberis sempervirens

Candytuft

8-10"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

18-24"

EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil.Sub-shrub with white flowers, dark green foliage.

Iris cristata 

Crested Iris

6-9"

PARTIAL

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Blue flowers.

Lamiastrum galeobdolon

Yellow Archangel

8-12"

PARTIAL

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Yellow flowers. Attractive silver spotted foliage.

Lamium maculatum

Spotted Nettle

6-12"

SHADE TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil.Pink, white, lav. Flowers, silver spotted foliage.

Liriope sp.

Lilyturf, Monkey Grass

8-15"

SUN TO SHADE

Foliage groundcover.

12"

EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Lavender, white flower. Black fruit.

Lysimachia nummularia `Aurea'

Golden Moneywort, Creeping Jenny

2-3"

SHADE TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

12"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Yellow flower.

Mahonia repens

Creeping Mahonia

12"

SHADE TO PART

Flowering groundcover shrub.

24"

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Spring

Moist, well-drained fertile soil. Fragrant yellow flowers.

Mazus reptans

Mazus

1-2"

PARTIAL

Flowering groundcover.

12"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. White or lavender flowers.

Mentha sp.

Mints

12-24"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

18-24"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Pink or white flowers, scented foliage.

Minuartia verna 

Irish moss

1"

SUN TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

12"

NOT EVERGREEN

Early Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Tiny white flowers.

Mitchella repens

Partridge Berry

2"

SHADE TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

6-12"

EVERGREEN

Spring

Moist, well-drained fertile acid soil.Fragrant white flowers, red berries.

Myosotis palustris 

Forget-Me-Not

8"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12"

NOT EVERGREEN

Early Summer

Moist fertile soil. Blue flowers.

Oenothera speciosa

Showy Evening Primrose

15"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. White or pink flowers.

Ophiopogon japonicus

Mondo Grass

3-12"

SHADE TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

6-12"

EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Lavender flowers.

Origanum sp.

Oregano

6-24"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

18-24"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Pink or white flowers, scented foliage.

Pachysandra terminalis

Japanese Spurge

6-8"

SHADE TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

12"

EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Green-white flowers.

Phlox pilosa `Eco Happy Traveler'

Prairie Phlox

12-15"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Rich pink flowers.

Phlox stolonifera 

Creeping Phlox

8"

SHADE TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12"

EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Blue, pink, white flowers.

Phlox subulata

Moss Phlox, Mountain Pinks

4-6"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

EVERGREEN

Early spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Blue, pink, white flowers.

Potentilla neumanniana `Nana'

Cinquefoil

2"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12"

SEMI-EVERGREEN

Early spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Bright yellow flowers

Potentilla tridentata' Minima'

Cinquefoil

3"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil.  White flowers

Pratia pedunculata

Pratie

2-3"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Tiny blue flowers

Prunella grandiflora

Self-heal

8-12"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Pink or lavender flowers.

Pulmomaria angustifolia

Lungwort

10"

SHADE TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Blue flowers, attractive foliage.

Rubus calycinoides

Creeping Currant

6-12"

SUN TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

18-24"

EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. White flowers, good fall color.

Saponaria ocymoides

Soapwort

8"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Late spring 

Well-drained fertile soil.Pink or white flowers.

Sarcococca hookeriana var.humulis

Creeping Sweetbox, Himalayan Sweetbox

18"

SHADE TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

12-18"

EVERGREEN

Spring

Moist, well-drained fertile soil. Fragrant creamy flowers.

Sedum spurium

Stonecrop

5-6"

SUN

Foliage groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. White or pink flowers.

Stachys byzantina

Woolly Lamb's Ears

12"

SUN TO PART

Foliage groundcover.

18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Pink flowers. Nice silver foliage.

Symphytum grandiflorum

Comfrey

12"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Moist, well-drained fertile soil. Good for naturalizing. Cream color flowers.

Tanacetum vulgare

Tansy

24-36"

SUN

Foliage groundcover.

24"

NOT EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Yellow flowers, scented foliage.

Teucrium canadensis

Creeping Germander

6"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12"

EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Lavender flowers.

Thymus serphyllum

Creeping Thyme

2"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12"

EVERGREEN

Summer

Well-drained fertile soil. Lavender flowers.

Tiarella cordifolia

Foamflower

8"

SHADE TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Long blooming white flowers.

Veronica prostrata 

Speedwell

4"

SUN

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Blue flowers.

Vinca minor

Periwinkle

4-6"

SUN TO PART

Flowering groundcover.

12"

EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil. Blue flowers.

Waldsteinia ternata

Barren Strawberry

6"

SUN TO SHADE

Flowering groundcover.

12-18"

NOT EVERGREEN

Spring

Well-drained fertile soil.Yellow flowers.