RELATED: How to Grow Zinnias in Your Home Garden. Well to make a long stroy short the Lamium is gone and in its place we planted a very small ground cover called Tiny Thyme. They are tough and their easy-going adaptability to a wide variety of rocky slopes, clay, and alkaline soils keep them comfortable in the west. In spring, tiny white flowers add to its ethereal beauty. It will happily soak up the excess moisture, especially if its a sunny spot. Creeping thyme (also known as mother of thyme or wild thyme) is a creeping, woody-stemmed perennial that is a favorite plant to use for a low-maintenance ground cover serving as a filler between garden stepping stones. Lamium spreads quickly, so be ready to cut it back if it begins to encroach on other shrubs and flowers. Ground covers are used to provide edgings to pathways, control erosion, and add interest to landscape design. Ferns come in an array of shapes, sizes, and colors. It takes about 14 days until you see seedlings. Creeping lamium averages 10 inches tall, with small flower groups appearing in the summer. Plant ivy in the spring and you won't need to maintain it at all. 1. Those fleshy, bluish-green leaves help retain what little water it receives. See more ideas about plants, shade plants, shade garden. In milder climates, it is semi-evergreen. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? This is a slow-growing and long-lasting ground cover that simply needs pruning every so often to prevent it from growing leggy. In addition to white flowers, you can find colors like moonshine yellow, paprika, or vintage violet. Lamium is one of the best choices for a tough yet showy perennial groundcover. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Its brittle, fragile stems help keep it from becoming aggressively invasive and also allow bulbs and other perennials to penetrate its foliage. Are rabbits attracted to spotted dead nettle? Much like the fictional character, it has golden hair (flowers) that spread enough to be effective in covering a certain amount of space, but the plant is not so vigorous a spreader to create a nuisance. Plus, each is interesting enough to enhance your surroundings more than an ordinary carpet of grass. Lamium is an excellent ground cover for shade. Its a native to wooded areas and stream banks of the Appalachian Mountains, and easy to control. Under even the most unforgiving of conditions, lamium prevails. It has excellent resistance to damage by deer and rabbits. Use it as an underplanting for tall trees, as a ground cover in places where the hose cant reach, and even as a no-mow lawn alternative where there isnt much foot traffic. Thanks to its bold blue hue and its ability to attract butterflies, Grace Ward lithodora will add bursts of color to your landscape from spring through the end of summer. Growing to a height of about 6 inches with a spread of 9 inches, it has waxy green leaves that should be removed as they turn brown. The ground has only recently thawed and most are waiting for just the right amount of consistent warmth and moisture before coming up. When grown as a ground cover, it is an easy-care plant that requires little maintenance. Native to Europe and western Asia, Lamium is frequently found naturalized along woodland trails and paths and colonized along the banks of streams. This deer-resistant succulent ground cover has needle-shaped leaves and small but bright daisy-like flowers that carpet the plants from late spring through early fall. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Blooms from mid-spring through summer. It can climb walls and grow across landscapes as unstoppable ground cover. It's also used for ground cover to stop erosion because its tough roots hold soil in place. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. Height is a foot or so. When not in bloom, the heart-shaped, dark green leaves with purplish undersides make an attractive deer and rabbit resistant ground cover. This plant forms a ground-hugging mat topped with wispy white flowers that flutter atop 15-inch-tall stems in late spring to early summer. Yellow archangel, also known as yellow Lamium, is very competitive and fast-growing in the forest habitats of western Washington and western British Columbia. Noteworthy Characteristics Attractive foliage makes a good groundcover. 30. It doesnt like wet feet, so make sure the soil is well-drained. In moist soil, however, brass buttons spread vigorously, forming 2-inch-tall mats of growth strong and thick enough to withstand even regular foot traffic. Plant Lenten rose ground cover in the early fall or late spring but away from the path of bitter winter winds. It spreads by seed, but not aggressively, making its way around the garden in light shade to full shade conditions in USDA Zones 3 through 8. Though many annual flowers can be used for ground coverings, it can be laborious to replant large swaths of coverings yearly. The leaves are fairly small, about one inch in diameter. It likes full sun, and requires regular trimmings to keep it from taking over the yard. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Several plants in this list happily grow in full or partial shade. This sun-lover grows to a maximum height of about 12 inches with a 24-inch spread, and it blooms with lavender to pink flowers in July. Lamium is an excellent ground cover for shade. Native to Africa, purple ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) became popular as a cold-hardy ground cover in the United States in the 1990s. Height is a foot or so. While it may be one of the toughest (er, tolerant) plants out there, Lily of the Valley looks as sweet as can be with darling white bells dangling from strappy green leaves. Take leaves off at least half of the bottom portion of the branch. While many shrubs give you flowers, the prettiest thing aboutCotoneaster horizontalis is its colorful, red berries. When several are planted together, they form a dense hedge that thrives in almost any type of soil and full sun. Dont worry if it doesnt reappear first thing in spring. Lamium will grow under tree canopies and fill in around taller perennials, tolerating some dryness from the roots of other plants, but it grows better with irrigation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! Don't site near small plants which may be overtaken. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. It matures to a maximum height of only 6 inches, so many gardeners choose to plant creeping phlox on a slope or along the top of a retaining wall to appreciate its beauty from several angles. With very attractive foliage and either white or pink flowers, Lamium maculatum makes an excellent ground cover plant for a shaded position. Planted along sloped pieces of land, it can neaten up the area while providing ground covering. Because the common name is often given as spotted dead nettle. Plants that are under 12 inches tall are good for tight spaces and as edging but can require some weeding to look their best. In ideal sunny conditions, Amethyst in Snow will spread quite quickly, but you can control it easily by pulling out stray shoots. All rights reserved. In the right climate, brass buttons remain an evergreen ground cover year round. It tucks into shaded rock gardens and naturalized borders. Mulching and weeding to prevent unwanted sprouts from stealing water from these low-maintenance succulents, and you can enjoy the cheery color of this low growing ground cover year-round, with a number of varieties to choose from. Install the plants in an acidic, well-drained, loamy soil. Lamium needs shade and a fertile, moist but well-draining soil. One of the best fast-growing ground cover plants for full sun is flowering candytuft. Each plant takes on a green fountain-like appearance: Long, lush shoots of chartreuse foliage sprout up from the soil, then softly twist and tangle for full coverage wherever planted. We recommend our users to update the browser. Also known as periwinkle and creeping myrtle, vinca minor will spread wherever its planted and will even scale trellises or fences if trained. Many plant species from the genus Sedum are native to North America. Spectacular as a ground cover in the shade garden, Lamium maculatum (Spotted Dead Nettle) is a perennial plant whose appearance is unlike other perennial ground covers. If the hill is big, remove the grass in stages so as not to take unnecessary chances with erosion. This species of plumbago is cold hardy to USDA Zone 5, but will survive winter better if you cover it with a light mulch, or if theres snow cover. Lamium maculatum (white nettle, pink pewter, and spotted nettle) Lamium galeobdolon . I think I'll try some . This lesser-known perennial has attractive little mounds of grassy foliage, and teeny ball-shaped blooms that pop up in late spring to early summer. It is mainly grown for beautiful berries that succeed the blossoms over green leaves. I've never tried that one. Shown: 'Spotted deadnettle' (Lamium maculatum) Tall-Growing Mow it down once in late winter and watch the fresh green growth fill right back in. Water it during dry spells and give it a haircut at the end of its blossoming period. Within two to three years of planting, it forms a lush carpet of velvety, green, heart-shaped leaves that hug the ground. This is a deer- and rabbit-resistant ground cover that is ideal for large swaths of landscape. Its variegated leaves and colorful spring flowers make Lamium a reliable choice for brightening shady garden spots where few other perennials will grow. It needs full sun to flourish. Low-growing, ground-hugging perennial plants are the best low-maintenance ground coverings. Many use the ground cover to define the borders of garden paths. They thrive in or out of sunlight, and they seem to multiply on their own thanks to their rhizomatous roots. The promise is that Lamiums are fast-growing perennial ground cover or container plants that brighten partly sunny spots and produce charming flowers. Curious reddish brown flowers bloom in spring at ground level under the foliage. Groundcover plants are helpful for weed suppression, while also adding texture and color to your garden with low maintenance needs. BUY IT ($18) Jill King/EyeEm/Getty Images. Subscribe now and be up to date with our latest news and updates. It matures to a height of about 3 feet, and it, too, can be used as a taller ground cover. However, slugs and snails may be occasional visitors. It grows in little clumps, likes moist soil, and prefers full to part sun. It spreads rapidly by above-ground runners and is hardy to Zone 4. It's also a beautiful ground cover to consider for moon gardens, but just beware the flowers are less than fragrant. It spreadsby reseeding, but it never will spread enough to become a problem. So long as the site affords full sun and good drainage, creeping phlox requires next to nothing in the way of care. Note: This plant is considered invasive across much of the northeast, some areas of the northern Midwest, and parts of the Pacific Northwest. Press Esc to cancel. It is, therefore, a sterile plant that will not come true from seeds. Kathy Huber has worked for the Houston Chronicle since May 1981. It spreads well, but is easy to manage. MLB legend makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Hiker takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo at Brazos Bend State Park, This is what Houston looks like from space, Oops! Mature plants that have gotten "leggy" should be cut down to just above the ground, which then will grow back into a bushy, compact plant. Aside from good exposure to sunlight, these leafy green clusters ask little of their gardener with no need to replant every season. It prefers shade, but will tolerate some sun. Spotted dead nettles will naturalize in some areas. Eventually, they will form a mat. This low-maintenance plant thrives year-round! A member of the mint family, Lamium spreads quickly, is self-seeding, and will rapidly create a ground cover wherever it is planted. This quickly spreading ground cover forms a tight, six- to 10-inch tall mass of shiny green foliage that blushes bright red and bronze beginning in early fall. Perfect for plantings under perennials or shrubs and as a groundcover or edging plant. It is evergreen, but some of the leaves may turn brown during winter. Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon 'Hermann's Pride', Zones 4-8) is one of the fastest-growing ground covers. Cutting the stems or pinching back to a joint will stimulate new growth for the plant. Virtually disease and pest free, Spotted Dead Nettle is also deer and rabbit resistant. Yellow archangel has colorful leaves and flowers. Pachysandra is one of the most widely used ground covers in the country thanks to its extreme durability while it grows under challenging conditions such as too much shade and drought. The reality is that this hardy opportunist, if left unchecked, can become unsightly and sometimes invasive. Q. Pruning it back can help keep rambunctious runners under control or set your mower to high and shear it back after it flowers in the summer. RELATED: The 15 Best Plants for Rookie Gardeners. In addition to making your garden look good, lithodora is a useful ally: The plant works as a natural deer repellent (the animals dislike the taste of the flowers) and helps control erosion. Try some honeysuckle! And while deer might not like itspink flowers, they do attract butterflies and honeybeesits even believed that it enhances the flavor of the honey. Compost should be sufficient, as the plants do not require rich soil. Look for varieties like Ghost that are heavily silvered and really brighten up lightly to densely shaded spaces. She's been a frequent speaker at various garden events. Some leaves may revert back to an all-green color (instead of being variegated); be sure to prune these out, so that the green color does not eventually take over the plant. This fact sheet primarily discusses non-native ground covers and rock garden plants for mountain areas above 7,500 feet as well as highlighting some native plants not covered in fact sheet 7.242, Native Herbaceous Perennials for Colorado Landscapes. New delosperma varieties boast yellow, orange, apricot, and bicolor flowers. This item: Perennial Farm Marketplace Lamium m. 'Beacon Silver' (Dead Nettle) Groundcover, Size-#1 Container, Metallic Leaves and Pink Flowers $1495 Mixed Heart-Shaped Hosta Bare Roots - Rich Green Foliage, Low Maintenance, Heart Shaped Leaves - 6 Roots $1699 ($2.83/Count) Total price: $31.94 Add both to Cart Grow Canadian wild ginger in humus-rich, moist soil in light shade to deep shade conditions in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. It's tough-as-nails once established, tolerating poor soil and drought conditions. Lamium covers up that soil and adds colorful flowers, foliage and texture. Few ground covers ever look as beautiful as creeping phlox in spring, when it produces an explosion of fragrant, star-shaped, pastel-colored flowers. .css-1byi7p4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#fff;-webkit-transition:background 0.3s ease-in-out,color 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:background 0.3s ease-in-out,color 0.3s ease-in-out;display:inline-block;background-color:#000000;border-radius:0.125rem;font-family:NeutraDisplay,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.79054rem;line-height:1;font-weight:bold;height:unset;letter-spacing:0.05rem;padding:0.6rem 1rem;text-transform:uppercase;width:auto;}.css-1byi7p4:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:#595959;background-color:#53c2be;}.css-1byi7p4:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}SHOP LILY OF THE VALLEY. The thick, dense foliage is excellent for trouble spots where other plants have a hard time becoming established.