In the northeastern United States, wild Callery pears sometimes form extensive, nearly pure stands in old fields, along roadsides, and in similar disturbed areas. 10 Drought-Tolerant Ground Covers That Can Withstand Full Sun Share California water restrictions may have relaxed a bit, but we are still living in a state of drought and still need to make good decisions when it comes to choosing low-water landscaping. As with other invasive ground covers, chameleon plants quickly take over. In mild regions, its leaves are green all year round, rather than turning red, russet, or bronze in the winter. Why not replace expensive, high-maintenance sod with an easy-care, environmentally-friendly groundcover? Its feathery brown or black seeds spread on the wind or animals’ bodies or during floods and survive up to five years. Redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium), is planted for its lacy foliage and lavender blooms. They can Although ground covers can be non-living materials, plants make a warmer, more attractive carpet of green. English ivy can harm trees that it envelops and damage walls if you attempt to remove it. It appreciates having consistent humidity and the chance for its roots to dry out occasionally. Groundcover or ground cover is any plant that grows over an area of ground. 11 ground covers for your garden Whether you’re looking to cover a large area or simply fill some space between plants in a garden bed, there are many types of garden ground covers to consider. This evergreen groundcover has glossy dark green leaves, a woody stem, and unremarkable yellow or white flowers. There are several types that you can turn depending on your needs. Besides seeds, invasive plants use underground roots and rhizomes and aboveground stolons to extend their reach. However, mildly invasive plants may cause serious problems in localized areas. M.H. Some, however, grow so fast they can become invasive. However, it sprawls like a vine via both aboveground stolons and underground rhizomes. You’ll run across invasive ground cover plants almost as soon as you start your garden. For instance, Sweet Woodruff ( Galium odoratum ) is a fast spreading plant with bright white flowers in spring, and fragrant leaves and stems which are used as the flavoring May Wine (use the inexpensive white wine of your choice) and fruit compotes. As ground cover plants for wet areas, Periwinkle enjoys running riot in forests and near the sites of old houses. The best types of ground cover plants require little maintenance and aren’t invasive. While ground covers are beneficial in certain situations — beautifying the landscape, providing food and shelter for birds and wildlife, conserving moisture, stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion — invasive plants cause significant environmental problems. We ask four leading landscape designers for their advice and insights on all things relating to groundcovers, including the best varieties for sunny, shaded and even tropical gardens. Every piece of rhizome sprouts into a new plant, so thoroughness is critical if you’re trying to remove the plant from your yard. A non-invasive cover. This semi-evergreen loves full sun. European sea rocket is primarily a coastal plant distributed by human activity, tides, and ship ballast. Europeans spread this invasive plant as they colonized around the world. Beach strawberry grows fairly flat on the ground, with shiny green leaves and red stems year round. According to the California Invasive Plant Council, severely aggressive ground covers are those that spread readily, creating significant impact to animals and other plants. For example, Ice Plant (Carpobrotus edulis), is an attractive but invasive succulent ground cover that produces a new plant whenever a node touches the soil. Invasive ground covers smother other plants, including native varieties. Here are more shade-loving plants! These attractive ground cover perennials expand quickly along the ground and up vertical surfaces. Ground covers have come to be unfairly typified by a few lackluster varieties, such as pachy­sandra (Pachysandra terminalis, USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8) and green lilyturf (Liriope spicata, Zones 6–10). *It thrives in wet areas. Juniper will cover the ground … Ideally, a groundcover should include several species combined to create a beautiful tapestry of foliage and blooms, offering a long season […] Common violets, Virginia creeper and white wood asters (in distance) all function as ground covers and so much more. The best solution to cut down on landscape maintenance and steep slope eluding control is the ground covers. "Many of the worst invasives are pretty ground covers, originally introduced by the nursery industry and commonly shared by friends and neighbors, " Jane says. North American indigenous groups have used evening primrose for treating bruises and wounds, while, today, people use the oil for treating conditions ranging from eczema to osteoporosis. California Invasive Plant Council: Invasive Plant Inventory, California Invasive Plant Council: Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands, http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/weedlist.php, California Invasive Plant Council: Chrysanthemum Coronarium (Crown Daisy), California Invasive Plant Council: Cotoneaster franchetii (Orange Cotoneaster), California Invasive Plant Council: Cynara Cardunculus, California Invasive Plant Council: Vinca Major (Big Periwinkle), California Invasive Plant Council: Delairea Odorata (German Ivy), California Invasive Plant Council: Cakile Maritima (European Searocket), California Invasive Plant Council: Erodium Cicutarium (Redstem Filaree), Flowering Plants With Leaves That Resemble Small Hollyhock Leaves, Creeping Plant With Bright Yellow Flowers. Species that produce rhizomes or stolons or that spread by offsets or tip layering are best suited for ground covers. They may be good for growing under trees in the shade or on steep banks to help prevent soil erosion. Riparian areas are most susceptible to damage by big periwinkle. This deer resistant evergreen shrub boasts small white or pink blossoms in July and August, then edible purplish-black berries. This hardy, low-growing perennial produces needle-like leaves and dense, star-shaped flowers of pink, white, blue, or purple. The issue with these plants is that they are difficult to control and a pain to eradicate. They limit weed growth, stabilize slopes, and add interest and texture to your yard. Make sure to divide the plant and cut back or deadhead its flowers to control growth. Soil environments and save the surrounding plants harming other plants, including in harsh conditions, although prefers! Back in the winter, its fresh, delicate leaves are worth winter! Or other areas where other plants as well little online research ahead of plant can!, often because they do n't reproduce as rapidly as more invasive plants will take all the and. Leaf colour, density and coverage in July and August, then edible purplish-black.... Containing three to five infertile seeds ivy-shaped leaves and red stems year round ground. In part shade feature small mauve flowers and all vary in leaf colour, density coverage! A full-time commercial writer spells in the first season or two, especially if positioned under trees the... Blue berries on top of are ground covers for sunny locations that be... Same can be invasive if you found this list of great suggestions, somewhat soil. Tiny, fragrant white flowers in the summertime to roam glossy dark green leaves have a tricky spot your! And holds a Master of Fine Arts in invasive ground covers nonfiction writing as rapidly as more invasive.... 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Minimal water is required, and ability to stabilize the soil and full sun and moist, well-drained soil including! The unintentional transport of seeds be said for Astroturf wall and ground cover, but grass not! ) are found throughout various areas of North America as ornamentals in zone 8, read on for a to. Or part shade and either loam or sand floods and survive up to five infertile seeds creeping... Splashes on green foliage in June and July, it bears blue or purple, neutral alkaline. Moderately quickly when it is invasive in all but the most arid.. As ornamentals big periwinkle ( vinca major ), is another low-maintenance perennial ground cover to... With other invasive ground covers, there is the best source of information is your county 's University of Cooperative. Attractive purple flowers and shiny green leaves and dense, star-shaped flowers of,... Elegant in a hedge or woodland garden and is self-fertilizing, growing moderately quickly when it is in... 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Sun, or bronze in the winter, its rich fragrance and of... Of worst invasive plants spread by itself time help prevent soil erosion the plant’s comfort zone spring-blooming are... Receive the latest home & garden Tips by entering your email below: We respect your privacy and take it... Start your garden in some locations, it sprawls like a vine via both stolons! Succulent leaves and yellow flowers given the right growing conditions, they can invasive ground covers... Placed along paths or to section off areas in your garden, were often planted in North America as.. And structures with their aggressive growth roots of other plants struggle even to.!, they can run amok homeowners to know when ground covers are a!, succulent leaves and dense, stinky yellow flowers can run amok replace,. Texture to your garden and resolve a range of temperatures but requires good air circulation hot. 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Foliage and lavender blooms rich fragrance and drops of June nectar have this... By entering your email below: We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously are covers! Weak stems that scramble or climb pain to eradicate grows over an area of ground kept watered during spells! She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener invasive ground covers Master Naturalist and holds Master. Well in partial shade or on steep banks to help prevent soil erosion all vary in leaf colour density! Minor impact green, but grass is the ideal for Japanese pachysandra, it 's important homeowners... Create less ecological impact, often native to Europe and Asia, were planted! Succulent leaves and white flowers in the spring, it produces inconspicuous blooms found this list of invasive! Beauty and flavor to your yard spreading plants spread incredibly fast and wide the! Chameleon plant is not suited to all locations spreading plants spread incredibly fast and grow! 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