It was n’t until I started landscaping our new yard from mark that I realized background masking can go far beyond the crank plants , lawns , and manifestly old barque mulch I ’m used to insure .
There is simply a basis cover for every situation : hot and gay xeriscape gardens , harsh wintertime climates , poor and rocky soils , and evenground covers that thrive in shade . You ’ll bump dateless options depending on what you want your reason cover to do ( besides covering the priming , that is ) .
Do you want a pretty flowering carpeting that attracts bees and other pollinator ? Or something portly and inflexible for erosion control ? Do you require a live ground book binding you’re able to walk on , or a more ornamental shrub to grace a front yard ?
Maybe you ’re looking for a works that can fill in a landscape and give year - round of golf beauty and color — in which case , an evergreen ground cover is just what you want .
Do evergreen ground covers actually stay green in winter?
While my list below iscategorized by USDA hardiness zones , whether or not a ground cover actually stay on evergreen plant will extremely look on the winter temperatures and snow cover in your chiliad . Sometimes , very frigid temps meld with a lack of C cover ( which insulates the flora ) will cause the terra firma cover to plough brownish or even become flat back to the ground .
This usually is n’t a job if the plant is hardy to your zone ; once spring come , fresh gullible emergence should emerge .
Disclosure : If you shop from my clause or make a purchase through one of my links , I may have commission on some of the products I advocate .
Where to buy
Evergreen ground covers
What about invasive ground covers?
Certain solid ground covers may be deal invasive in component part of the land ( and I do make note of this for specific plants on my list ) .
But when you call back about it , footing covers — by their very nature — like to pass around . Sometimes aggressively . They would n’t be very just solid ground covers if they did n’t cover more primer coat , right ?
Though they surpass at blanketing the soil , suppress weeds , and providing home ground for beneficial worm , some earth binding also have a disposition to get away a short too freely beyond their original planting region . You might need this in a walkway or a gaga lawn , but if your end is to neatly fill in the quad between other landscaping works , you ’ll demand to take measures to keep your ground cover contained .
When choosing footing cover , I often recommend travel for plants that are one zone colder than your own . This make it more potential they ’ll in reality stay evergreen ! With that said , let ’s set out with my favorite option for colder zone …
Zones 3 and above
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Originally from Europe and part of the cabbage kin Brassicaceae , candytuft ( Iberis sempervirens ) is pop worldwide as a groundcover plant thanks to its pretty white flowers and forgiving nature . It ’s a woody shrub that grows around 16 column inch tall and wide .
Because it of course grow in steppe - case landscapes , candytuft prefers well - drain soil and not too much humidness . It prefers regular lachrymation , but wo n’t quetch the bucket if you forget about it for a few weeks .
you could engraft your candytuft shrubs in full sun to half shade . If you ’re not a devotee of white-hot flowers , go for cultivars like ‘ Pink Ice ’ or ‘ Mermaid Lavender ’ . There are plenty to prefer from !
Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Looking for a seriously tough groundcover plant that can develop where many other species ca n’t ? Creeping juniper is by nature found in rather harsh habitat in the northern USA and Canada , and has evolve to be very hardy . It ’s commonly used for erosion control on sloped airfoil .
Drought , rocky soil , red-hot weather , and abrasive sun do n’t vex creeping raetam , and theplant is pretty resistant to deerand other herbivore . As a incentive , its disconsolate - greenish foliage is attractive and releases a pleasant odour when disturb ( like when you take the air over it , which you’re able to do semi - regularly without egress ) .
pertain : Morewalkable ground coversto believe for your grand
Creeping Retama raetam grows to a maximum altitude of around 3 feet and can spread 15 feet or more , get it a effective alternative if you demand to shroud a large region . There are several cultivar usable , including the extra - modest ‘ Pancake ’ and the vary ‘ Andorra Variegata ’ .
Creeping speedwell (Veronica repens)
Despite its treat aspect , this super low - growing carpet of diminutive , scallop - shaped leaves is actually pretty springy and can take a little foot traffic . It assist that the plant grows to only 2 column inch high , but spreads ( via underground stolon ) about 12 inches encompassing .
This is the kind of ground - hugger you want for fulfill in the spaces between flagstone , along borders , and in rock gardens , or growing as a living mulch in perennial bottom , as it can help suppress early spring weed when tulip and Narcissus pseudonarcissus are coming up .
In recent outflow , the dark-green foliation is studded with singular flush ranging from bloodless to lavender to blue . cervid and rabbits leave behind it alone , so you may plant creeping speedwell in tricksy spot where other ground cover tend to get snacked . It ’s prosperous to propagate : simply dig up a small department , part it and replant elsewhere in fallor outpouring .
Bird’s nest spruce (Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’)
Another coniferous tree , the bird ’s nest spruce is a low - growing , shrubby cultivar of Picea abies : the omnipresent Norway spruce , which normally grows very tall . Known as Picea abies ‘ Nidiformis ’ ( which means nest - shaped ) , it reaches no more than around 4 feet in height and has a round growth pattern that does make it reckon clearly “ nesty ” .
Bird ’s nest spruce is a good choice if you do n’t bear in mind a slimly taller groundcover and are appear for something that ’s promiscuous to keep awake . It like more or less acidic , gritty soil but is n’t too bothered about its mature medium . It can do well in both full Lord’s Day and mottled shade , and cervid do n’t care the taste .
Keep in mind that this is a slow agriculturalist , especially if you grow it in a more shaded spot . It ’s not a huge rooter of heat and drought , preferring cool clime similar to its natural habitat of northerly Europe .
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
If you love flower , maybe bugleweed ( Ajuga reptans ) is the proper ground cover for you . An comestible member of the mint family and by nature found in the British Isles , it blooms in lovely shades of purple and juicy . bee , butterflies , hummingbird , and other pollinators love this plant !
say next : Thebest flowers to grow to pull in hummingbird
bugle may be right for you if you ’re looking for a quick grower that can strangle out teasing weeds . However , it ’s important to keep in mind that this is an trespassing plant in much of North America , and it can run over your garden if you do n’t control it .
On the top side , it ’s not a fussy plant . It likes well - draining soil with good deal of nutrient and regular watering , and will do well in full sun or partial nicety . In very cold mood , it ’ll fail back significantly in wintertime , but it ’ll grow justly back number springtime .
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
necessitate something that can withstand serious frigid ? Look no further : bearberry is naturally regain in theArctic!so your garden should be no problem . This plant ’s name was derived from the fact that bears know its bright violent berries , but the nerveless thing is that they ’re actually edible to human too ( great for jams ! ) .
Bearberry , also hump as kinnikinnik , makes a just groundcover alternative for pathetic and stony soil type where few other industrial plant would thrive . It ’s salt - resistant , making it suitable for coastal backyards , and can hold out occasional foot traffic .
you could put your bearberry plants in a spot that gets full sunshine to dappled shade . Although the species can be slow to institute itself , it can reach a height of around 12 inches and a width of up to 6 feet . Mature plant life are fairly drouth - tolerant .
Siberian cypress (Microbiota decussata)
As the name suggests , this is another cold - hardy groundcover choice . Siberian cypress tree is of course determine in the Sikhote - Alin flock in eastern Russia , not exactly a hospitable rude habitat . That comes in handy for us , because it has evolved to postulate very little care .
Siberian cypress tree acquire to a maximal height of around 12 inches tall and can grow up to 15 metrical foot wide . It ’s favored among gardeners for its delicate , feathery growing pattern and change people of colour from green to bronze between the summer and winter seasons .
The flora ’s principal demand is well - debilitate soil . It really does n’t like swampy condition ! Rocky and poor land types , however , are just fine . you’re able to keep it in partial shade , though it ’ll also tolerate full sun in cooler mood .
Zones 4 and above
Dwarf yarrow (Achillea tomentosa)
Dwarf Achillea millefolium ( also known as muddled yarrow ) is the low - grow version of vernacular yarrow ( which is also a nifty selection for an evergreen plant dry land cover ) . But the dwarf variety grow only 6 to 8 inch marvelous with a spreading of 8 to 12 inch across , making it more suitable for areas you might need to walk on .
The diffuse , lacy foliage feel secure under fundament and can do by restrained traffic , so it ’s a dainty lawn alternative if you ’re looking for a drought - liberal option that ’s also attractive to pollinator . In early summer , clusters of canary-yellow chicken heyday top the dense matting of greenish leaves .
As a “ unwarranted ” lawn , nanus milfoil grow in bunch that spread easily for a more cohesive face . you could even “ train ” it to be more lawn - ilk by pout it down to about 4 inches , where it ’ll generally stay on without much upkeep . Mowing your yarrow also keeps it from blooming , which is ideal if you need to take the air on it ( the dried - up flower stalks are not well-disposed to barren feet ! ) .
Creeping lilyturf (Liriope spicata)
A highly democratic groundcover choice for folks who like the grassy look , creeping lilyturf is technically not a grass — it forms part of the asparagus family Asparagaceae — but it certainly does look like one . It only spring up to around 15 inches grandiloquent , but thanks to its rhizomatous roots , it can circulate very wide of the mark , especially if you help it along by replanting new clumps
Creeping lilyturf is native to Vietnam and China , where it can be institute in the mountain understory . In your backyard , it prefers a slightly shaded maculation and being planted in rich soil ( or receive regular dose of fertilizer during the uprise season ) .
This ground covering fire is very sluttish to keep alive , but also highly vigorous , so be sure to only found it where you ’re sure you actually want it . When your creep lilyturf go dormant in winter , let the quondam leaves mulch the soil and then cut them back in spring to make room for novel growth .
European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum)
European wild ginger is many thing : a great ground cover , attractive plant , and tolerant of low - igniter conditions , among others . What it isnot , however , is peppiness . It ’s not even link to dead on target ginger , but get its name thanks to the faintly gingery fragrance of its origin .
Naturally found throughout much of Europe , Asarum europaeum mostly produce as a ground cover in forested regions . It ’s used to suspicious conditions , which makes it perfect for those blot in your garden where other ground masking plants may fight to grow properly .
European risky ginger can mature to up to 6 inches improbable and forms obtuse mats of pretty , patterned leaves . It fly high in a “ foresty ” soil character : plenteous with humus , lightly moist but well - draining , and slightly acidic to impersonal in pH. A happy plant will produce dark cherry and rather hairy petty blooms .
Dwarf Japanese garden juniper (Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’)
Most of us primarily fuck juniper as a shrubby , retinal cone - shaped plant staring for creating hedge , but we ’ve already seen there ’s also a creeping form . Here ’s another : Juniperus procumbens , the Nipponese garden juniper , is always a rather low - growing flora , but the ‘ Nana ’ cultivar takes this to the extreme .
grow to a maximal height of around 12 inch , overshadow Nipponese garden juniper can quickly overlay extensive areas , with each bush reaching up to 6 infantry in width . It ’s not fussy about soil eccentric as long as drainage is excellent , and it ’s passably tolerant of ironic spells . The metal money does require plentifulness of sun to thrive though .
Being a sturdy bush , your garden juniper bush wo n’t bear in mind the occasional foot traffic . cervid and other herbivores tend to leave it alone . This really is a great footing natural covering choice , specially because it keeps its beautiful green colouring material year - rotund !
Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
Also get it on as Japanese Pachysandra , a cite to its scientific name , Japanese spurge is a creeping perennial that can imprint unbelievably tight mats . Perfect if you do n’t want to be able to see even an inch of soil space and wish to strangle out any and all signs of weeds !
Japanese spurge is a degraded agriculturist and quite vigorous , a characteristic that has led it to be classify as an trespassing species in some US State . It ’s a right idea to think carefully about where you plant it . If you manage to contain it the right way , it makes for a nice and unfussy land covering fire option .
raise up to 4 inch tall and of course find out as a forest understory plant , this shrubby evergreen grow best in shaded location . It wish rich soils that persist gently moist , although proper drain is still important to prevent rot . The species can produce small snowy flower .
Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
Prefer aboriginal plants ? The Christmas fern is naturally found in much of the easterly USA , where it ’s plebeian in woodlands and along shaded stream . It ’s a great choice if you do n’t take care a taller priming coat cover plant ( up to 2 feet ) and have a gracious and moist , suspect fleck to extend .
This lovely fern sports rich green , feathery fronds that do n’t brown in winter , cheering up your garden even during the cold calendar month . Yours will like full-bodied dirt that stays lightly moist , although it does tolerate ironical spells better than a flock of other fern species .
Christmas fern are unpalatable to cervid and rabbits . The species is commonly used to prevent soil erosion and to keep a healthy wood storey . apply some time , your ferns put out spores and by nature spread to form obtuse , showy patches wherever there ’s shade . They look particularly decorative when grown under larger Tree .
Zones 5 and above
Wall germander (Teucrium chamadrys)
If you care pretty flowers , members of the mint family Lamiaceae always make a good choice . genus Teucrium chamadrys , substantially live as wall germander , is no elision . Native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East , this groundcover plant produce lovely small regal salad days that bees know during the summer calendar month .
Wall germander grows to a maximum summit of around 1 foot and is a ready agriculturalist . It wish flock of Dominicus , making it a good earth screening choice for more exposed domain . Plant it in well - drain soil and piss regularly , specially during summer .
Although this herbaceous plant has decrease out of fashion as a wellness supplement because it was bump to be hepatotoxic ( do liver damage ) , its leaves and stems smack really nice . you’re able to save clippings to practice for sweet sachets or potpourris !
Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera)
If the purple peak of the aforementioned rampart germander are n’t quite enough for you , maybe this one ’s more to your liking ! Creeping phlox produce dumb mats of pretty and pleasant - smelling pinkish ( cultivar ‘ Pink Ridge ’ ) , over-embellished ( cultivar ‘ Fran ’s Purple ’ ) , or white ( cultivar ‘ Bruce ’s White ’ ) flowers during the spring and summertime month .
mouse phlox grows to a maximum height of around 12 inch and take a crap for an attractive ground cover option for areas that do n’t get any human foot traffic . It thrives in copious but well - drain soil and prefer a sunny spot in your garden .
I particularly like that creep phlox is a aboriginal plant , naturally found in woodland across much of the easterly USA . It ’s also a huge favorite amongpollinators like butterflies . It may die back a mo during wintertime , but no worries — it’ll fall back pretty than ever next spring .
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
Also have sex as Fortune ’s mandrel , wintercreeper is a creeping flora naturally found in East Asia . It ’s popular in the US as a ground back or climb works , especially the motley varieties with decorative gold - and - immature leaf . If you let it climb , it can contact huge acme , but when used as a ground cover it only grows a few inches improbable .
Wintercreeper is vigorous and not hard to care for . It can quickly cover a large area , whether sunny or shaded , and is n’t too finicky about soil type and moisture levels . It even flowers , although the little white efflorescence are n’t considered all too spectacular .
Before you plant it in your garden , it ’s significant to consider that wintercreeper is considered an invasive species in North America . Be sure to keep yours contained so it does n’t spread into your neighbour ’ gardens and beyond !
‘Angelina’ stonecrop (Petrosedum rupestre ‘Angelina’)
If you ’re intimate with stonecrop , you ’ll be intimate that these stalwart succulents are pretty much foolproof . Unlike many other succulent , which opt ardent mood , stonecrops are mostly aboriginal to the Northern Hemisphere . This means they ’re tough and relatively resistant to cold .
Petrosedum rupestre ‘ Angelina ’ , a cultivar develop specifically for economic consumption as a land covering fire , unremarkably stays around 4 inches in acme . It ’s a quick grower , however , and yours will constitute wide , dense Master of Arts in Teaching within a year or two with the right guardianship .
Plant ‘ Angelina ’ in well - draining territory ; it is still a succulent , after all . Rocky and relatively poor grime types are fine . The plants should get plenty of sun . weewee on a regular basis , especially in summertime , but avoid overwatering since stonecrop are tender to rout rot .
Dwarf periwinkle (Vinca minor)
If you ’ve ever visited a timber in Europe during springtime , you ’ll be familiar with dwarf periwinkle . commonly an retiring background cover works , it bursts into bloom when temperature rise , forming thick mats of gorgeous little blue - purple blooms .
fortunately for us , dwarf periwinkle also thrives in our North American gardens . Although you need to check that you desire this mintage in your garden in the longsighted run before you plant it ( it ’s unmanageable to polish off once established and take invasive in some position ) , it make for a endearing groundcover plant that only attain around 6 in in height .
This is a versatile plant that can support a panoptic chain of mountains of clear conditions . It likes well - run out soil and even tearing . Keep an oculus out for cultivar like the variegate ‘ Argenteovariegata ’ , the white - flower ‘ Gertrude Jekyll ’ , and the doubly - petaled ‘ Azurea Flore Pleno ’ .
Creeping Oregon grape (Mahonia repens)
The only affair better than a nice ground cover plant is a niceedible ground cover plant life ! Although the Charles Edward Berry bring out by the sneak Oregon grape are very morose ( and taste nothing like grape ) when eaten raw , they ’re absolutely suitable for use in jellies and jam . My kids regard them a fun “ urban pasture ” when we ’re out walking in our local locality !
This straggle evergreen raise to a maximum height of 4 feet and is sleep together not just for its berries , but also its decorative yellow blossom . in the first place from the westerly USA and parts of western Canada , it ’s considered unfussy . Sun or ghost , rain or drought — Mahonia repens does n’t handle . The only thing that bothers it is unreasonable passion .
you may plant your cringe Oregon grapeshot in normal to well - draining soil , preferably gently acidulous to neutral . As an added fillip , the berries are loved by various bird species , so this is a honest plant to use if you ’d wish to pull in more wildlife to your backyard .
Zones 6 and above
Creeping raspberry (Rubus rolfei)
Here ’s another earth cover plant with comestible berries ! Although the creeping raspberry ’s yellow - orange tree yield are n’t very abundant or flavorful , you’re able to technically feed them as they are or expend them to make press and preserves .
Originally from Taiwan , where it grows in subtropical region at gamey elevation , grovel raspberry also does well in our backyards in USDA Zones 6 and up . It ’s low - maturate , unremarkably gain no more than 1 understructure in summit , and can also creep up walls and rock . It produces small white flowers in outflow and summer .
One thing I specially like about this ground back plant is that it can manage occasional invertebrate foot dealings . It ’s also easy to wish for ; just give it a sunny to half - shaded billet with ample but well - draining loamy soil and water regularly until it ’s establish ( or if you survive in a dry clime ) .
Common lilyturf (Liriope muscari)
At 1 1/2 feet , it ’s a good bit tall than its antecedently mentioned cousin-german , crawl lily turf , but common lilyturf ( Liriope muscari ) is still a pop ground cover choice for gardens and park due to its cosmetic grassy evergreen foliage and pretty purple autumn blooms .
While this plant forms part of the wood understory in its natural habitat , it does n’t necessarily prefer shade — it does fine in full sun too . It looks particularly squeamish when planted around trees or paseo . The species thrives in rich but well - draining and slimly damp soil .
There are various common Liriope muscari cultivars to choose from , including a variegate version with striped leave of absence ( called ‘ Variegata ’ ) . you may also go for pink flower ( ‘ Pink Pearl ’ ) , extra - long leaf ( ‘ Big Blue ’ ) , or a pretty variety call ‘ Silvery Sunproof ’ ( whose name reflects its principal feature well ! ) .
Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nanus’)
If you care grassy plants , here ’s another attractive ground cover option : Ophiopogon japonicus ‘ Nanus ’ , well known as nanus mondo grass . An evergreen with plushy , dark unripened leaf , it stays much smaller than normal mondo grass , reaching only around 6 column inch in height .
This modest clumping plant grows in small tuft of around 6 inches wide that can finally carpet orotund areas . It does n’t mind regular pes traffic and can be grown in normal , well - debilitate soil . Salt does n’t tend to be an issue , making this a good choice for the coastal garden .
Mondo forage is n’t grouchy about promiscuous levels , growing well in full sunlight to fond nicety . While this cultivar is relatively drouth - tolerant , you should ideally keep the soil thinly moist .
Black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’)
Okay , one more grass option ! There are a few dissimilar species of mondo grass , and one of the more decorative is Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘ Nigriscens ’ . well known as black mondo Gunter Grass , this one ’s easy to recognize by its dramatic greenish - black leafage ( which looks outstanding against an otherwise all - greenish landscape painting ) .
Although it ’s just as durable and gentle to like for as its aforementioned cousin-german , keep in mind that black mondo gage is not a dwarf diversity and therefore acquire a number larger — up to 8 column inch high and 12 inch wide . This works spreads slowly , but can finally organise a dense mat . you’re able to speed things up by separate the clumps .
Quick Tip
Do n’t put off mondo grass of the genus Ophiopogon with Liriope , which is also mentioned on this listing . Both belong to the family Asparagaceae and are sometimes telephone lilyturf , but they ’re not the same .
Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox)
One of my rank personal favorites on this tilt , cower thyme is a land cover that simply has it all . Not only is it low - develop ( just 1 to 2 inches marvelous ) and very densely carpet , but as a fellow member of the mint house , it ’s also a beautiful boner that can cover your garden in a ocean of pinko that bees just adore .
scan more : Plant thesebee - favorable flowersin your garden
That ’s not all . Creeping thyme is also very tolerant to foot up dealings ! It ’s sometimes tell that it grows back better if you step on it regularly , and while I do n’t know if that ’s true , I do have it away that it emits an amazing perfume when mash .
I in person ca n’t help but mix my hand through the farewell every time I ’m near it , and it ’s a staple in myperennial herbaceous plant garden . ( Mine easily quell green in my Zone 5 microclimate since I cover my layer with Robert Lee Frost cloth in winter . )
course found in Europe , creeping thyme is pretty fearless . It like loads of sun and does n’t need much body of water . Poor , rocky land is fine too ; the species is n’t used to grow in a nutrient - plenteous sensitive . Do keep in mind that it ’s considered invasive in percentage of the USA .
Rock rose (Helianthemum nummularium)
Let ’s close out the listing with some more pretty flowers ! furious rock rose produces yellow blossom , but there are a number of unlike cultivars that bloom in various shades of orange , white , pink , ruddy , and more .
Another European indigene , this species is n’t an actual rosiness of the family Rosaceae . It belong to its own little family , the Cistaceae or sway rosiness , which deal vernacular characteristics like a predilection for plenty of Lord’s Day , a tolerance to drouth , and the power to mature in poor soils .
Helianthemum nummularium is the most unremarkably grown rock uprise . A low - growing torpedo - shrub , it work well as a priming coat screen thanks to its maximum height of around 12 inches . It ’s evergreen plant and tolerant of saline soil .
