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. Ground covers that develop flowers and fruit often require more maintenance to keep them attractive. spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum L.) is a perennial flowering ornamental commonly grown as a landscape plant for an adequate ground cover.. 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. But in regions where spotted dead nettle is not invasive, it acts as an effective ground cover for deeply shaded areas. 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. 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. Botanical Name: Cotoneaster horizontalis This tall ground cover has a horizontal growing habit, give it plenty of water and afternoon shade until it is fully grown. Species can be annuals or perennials, with many valued for their ground cover abilities, pollinator-friendly flowers and preference of shady areas. Cost: Buy 200 seeds for around $7 or a large, potted plant for around $20. Rock cotoneaster is considered a full-shun shrub but benefits from some afternoon shade. Though many annual flowers can be used for ground coverings, it can be laborious to replant large swaths of coverings yearly. The only maintenance you'll need to do is remove tattered leaves damaged from a bad winter. Many plant species from the genus Sedum are native to North America. Aronia is a pretty low-growing native shrub that has tiny white flowers amid glossy green foliage. Native to Europe and western Asia, Lamium is frequently found naturalized along woodland trails and paths and colonized along the banks of streams. With society garlic, you can have your ground cover and eat it too! Our wide range of perennial groundcovers are ideal for those spots in the garden where grass isn't wantedon banks, under trees or across large areas of the border. We recommend our users to update the browser. It is perfect for rock gardens, edging of pathways or front of the flower border. When selecting a ground cover for shady areas, make sure to choose shade-tolerant plants that naturally thrive with minimal sunlight. There is no need to apply fertilizer, encouraging them to become too robust and invasive. Little Moonshine, for example, reaches about 10 inches high when in bloom; Greek yarrow has lower height and gray-green foliage. It got its name from the way its red stems spread like strawberry plants do, and how its rounded, dark green leaves with white veins and maroon undersides resemble a begonia. This one is a horticultural hybrid developed by crossing Nepata racemosawithN. nepetella. The leaves are fragrant, and deep pink flowers bloom from June through July. Not picky, spotted Dead Nettles do just fine in average, well-drained soil. Here's how: While they can self-seed themselves, spotted dead nettles do not do well if you try to grow them from seed. USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7 The lower the zone, the hardier the plant. RELATED: How to Grow Zinnias in Your Home Garden. As with yellow alyssum, Angelina sedum can be regarded as a "Goldilocks" ground cover. Replant them in a suitable location, and water. In its native environment, it spreads slowly to cover the forest floor, where deer and rabbits typically leave it alone. Lamium maculatum (white nettle, pink pewter, and spotted nettle) Lamium galeobdolon . Even in Zone 5, where one lives, they persist well into the winter. This is great if you need to cover a problem area with an attractive ground cover, but not so good if you are trying to grow them in a place where you need a well-behaved plant. April 4, 2015 by Homestead Lady 6 Comments. With moist shade and deep, acidic woodland soil of good tilth, it will form a tight ground cover. This plant thrives in wet soils, which is why planting it in dry soil and denying it water helps keep it in check. The kaleidoscope of red, blue and green all at once lights up the shade like ground level fireworks. Mow it down once in late winter and watch the fresh green growth fill right back in. There are more native species of sedge than any other plant in North America, and many make fine ground covers for shade. Lamium (Deadnettle) Wonderful as ground cover in a shady area, Spotted deadnettle ( Lamium maculatum) can cover large areas quickly, prevailing in the most unforgiving of conditions. . These plants spread out, and you can keep them under control by pruning, too. Miniature hostas will grow less than 9 inches tall, small hostas grow to a foot or more, and giant hostas can grow over 30 inches tall. True blue flowers are rare, especially late in the season. Propagate by division in autumn or early spring After flowering, plants can be cut back to encourage fresh foliage cover. With very attractive foliage and either white or pink flowers, Lamium maculatum makes an excellent ground cover plant for a shaded position. It tucks into shaded rock gardens and naturalized borders. On top of all that, with proper care the plant can last 5 to 6 years, during which time you can harvest your own fresh thyme. Its cheerful bright lilac pink flowers add whimsy to the garden from early summer through midsummer. Though Lenten rose is not a rose (it's part of the buttercup family), its little buds are early season bloomers when it flowers at ground level in the late winter. `Katie' ruellia has a taller cousin commonly called Mexican petunia. Physalis. 1. Turf lawn grasses are by far the most popular ground cover plant in residential landscapes, but some places aren't really suitable for grass growth (like arid desert yards) and some people simply prefer more diverse or unique "lawnscaping.". Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures Planters. But purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) takes advantage of the open expanses of soil and lack of competition. Place lamium where you won't be smashing it underfoot, though, because its stems are somewhat fragile. See more ideas about plants, shade plants, shade garden. It's also used for ground cover to stop erosion because its tough roots hold soil in place. Creeping thyme ground cover is not invasive, helps prevent weeds from growing, and is a natural deer repellent. Kathy Huber has worked for the Houston Chronicle since May 1981. The thick, dense foliage is excellent for trouble spots where other plants have a hard time becoming established. In agriculture, ground cover is the name given to plants that are low growing and are used to cover a large area, giving a carpeted effect. While many shrubs give you flowers, the prettiest thing aboutCotoneaster horizontalis is its colorful, red berries. Clover Unless you want it as your lawn or have a horse to feed, don't plant it. Spotted dead nettles should be pruned in the summer after the first blooming period. Within two to three years of planting, it forms a lush carpet of velvety, green, heart-shaped leaves that hug the ground. Want to lure hummingbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife to your garden? Ice plant is a fast and easy-growing ground covering, but pick the right species for your climate. Water it during dry spells and give it a haircut at the end of its blossoming period. Its ornamental value is twofold: it bears splendid blossoms in various colors (depending on the variety), and it displays eye-catching silver leaves, which provide color long after the flowers have faded. Lamium maculatum: Also called spotted deadnettle, forms a dense mat over. The petite white star-shaped flowers provide a nice contrast to the deciduous green foliage. The plant dies back to the ground in the winter and comes out in the spring, but giving it a good shearing before winter will help keep the plants healthy. 3. Low-growing mats of Creeping Thyme are covered in teeny purple or white flowers in late spring, which makes it a haven for pollinators. It prefers full shade, but can handle some morning sun. The reality is that this hardy opportunist, if left unchecked, can become unsightly and sometimes invasive. 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. Ground cover plants are all-around problem-solvers: They retain moisture, control erosion, and provide.css-1me6ynq{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;} habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Lamium is undemanding and easy to grow in partial to fully shaded locations. With full sun, this green herb will grow small flowers in summer, attracting plenty of pollinators. Perfect for plantings under perennials or shrubs and as a groundcover or edging plant. Imagine sky blue flowers popping up in and around your shade garden in the springtime, swaying in the slightest breeze, rising above a carpet of Canadian wild ginger or lamium (see below). This woodland sedge can tolerate drier soils than many species. Dead nettle, also known as Lamium, is a low-growing perennial with silver-splashed leaves and bursts of purple, pink, or white flowers that pop up in spring and early summer. Glossy leaves in shades of deep green, bronze, and chocolate-brown make this perennial a great low-growing lawn alternative for almost any climate. Keep weeds at bay with spreading plants in your garden. When planted in groups, heuchera works well as a ground cover or along garden edging. This plant can be invasive, depending on where you live. Glechoma hederacea is not the same as henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) or Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum L.), AKA red deadnettle, red henbit. Getting Started Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. One of the best fast-growing ground cover plants for full sun is flowering candytuft. Evergreen ground covers, such as creeping juniper, require little care. Manure tea is a good substitute when it is too difficult to work more compost into the soil. Ajuga or Bugleweed is a low-maintenance option that is also . 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Ground cover plants play an important role in the forest garden, protecting the soil, providing refuge for wildlife at ground layer, preventing unwanted plants from establishing and can provide some food such as berries or leaves. A variety of cultivars are available, including Juniperus horizontalis'Blue Rug.'. The midsummer shearing also encourages a second flowering period in September. Snip some for cooking, or keep it trimmed back to manage its height. .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. Another bonus is that it is common and considered one of the cheapest ground covering plants. 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. (Lamium maculatum) . Interrupted fern, like bunchberry and liverleaf, is a North American native that can serve as a low-maintenance ground cover for shade. Lamium maculatum stays relatively short, with the typical cultivar standing less than a foot tall. 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! Firecracker Sedum ( Sedum) Spotted dead nettle has a wide range, but does not do well in very warm, humid locations. Ground covers are used to provide edgings to pathways, control erosion, and add interest to landscape design. Commonly used as a ground cover in the shade garden, spotted dead nettle is short- 7. Hortster. Lamium needs shade and a fertile, moist but well-draining soil. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Use it to highlight other plants with darker foliage, such as boxwoods and conifers. It takes about 14 days until you see seedlings. The creeping juniper is a sprawling, creeping needled evergreen shrub that grows to a maximum height of about 18 inches and with a spread that can go as much as 8 feet. Hostas are definitely not deer-resistant but they are toxic to other animals. In summer, the leaves take on burgundy mottling on the way to becoming totally burgundy (hence the name liverleaf). English ivy is considered an evergreen perennial covering, period. In milder climates, it is semi-evergreen. Install the plants in an acidic, well-drained, loamy soil. Its brittle, fragile stems help keep it from becoming aggressively invasive and also allow bulbs and other perennials to penetrate its foliage. Try some honeysuckle! 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. The low-lying, flowering ground coverit grows no more than 4 inches tallcan endure being stepped and stomped on, making it a smart choice for planting between pavers or for replacing grass. If you arent sure if it will survive the winter outdoors where you live, pop it out of the ground and into a container to grow as a houseplant until the following spring. Under even the most unforgiving of conditions, lamium prevails. Pachysandra are aggressive and fast-spreading coverings that grow underground with runners. Lamium is a fast-growing, perennial ground cover that deer and rabbits avoid. It grows low to the ground, making it a good alternative to grass in just about any climate. Charismatic Planet 2022. 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. It flowers best in full sun. All Rights Reserved. Plant this deer- and rabbit-resistant herb in the spring and its fuzzy leaves will cover large areas by autumn. FYI: Full sun means an area gets 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day, part sun is anywhere from 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight, and full shade is up to 3 hours of sun. Although not a U.S. native and with the potential to choke out nearby wildflowers, lithodora is not listed as an invasive concern. 5. Keep it in a shady spot, especially under trees and shrubs. Because the common name is often given as spotted dead nettle. Spread: Slow to medium growth rate; spreads via stolons to a height of 10 inches. Some hybrids offer striking, flat flower clusters that bees and butterflies can use as a landing pad. What plant labels typically fail to mention is that, under the right growing conditions, 'Amethyst in Snow' makes a flowering ground cover that will spread nicely. Hostas are some of the happiest and hardiest perennial ground coverings you can grow. The leaves are fairly small, about one inch in diameter. Also known as lonicera, honeysuckle is an aromatic perennial that blooms with white, yellow, or red flowers in the spring and summer. Doesn't need much water. Angelina Sedum is easy to propagate by rooting, so you can quickly fill an area with its succulent foliage. It is native to New Zealand and invasive in some areas, though its spread has not been out of control. Album has white flowers and white marked leaves. The little silver leaves of lamium are like bits of glitter strewn about the garden floor, reflecting any dappled sunlight that finds them. To encourage new growth in the springtime cut spotted dead nettles back after the first frost or in the late autumn, depending on where you live. If you live in USDA Zones 3 through 9 and have a low spot where grass struggles because its too wet, try planting golden groundsel there instead. Select either a shady or half shady location when growing Lamium maculatum. Its starry white flowers appear late in the season at a time when many other perennials are finished blooming, making it an important food source for pollinators. No special soil is needed for it to flourish and reseed. Although taller than a typical ground cover, yarrow ranks among the most attractive ground cover flowering plants. Basket of Gold also goes by the name yellow alyssum, another reference to its adorable clusters of bright yellow flowers. 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. Its a relative of mint, so its guaranteed to spread, and its hardy in the cold of Zone 3 but can take heat up to Zone 8. LAY-mee-um mak-yoo-LAH-tum Description Fast growing; Spotted dead nettle is a good ground cover for moist, shady areas. Lamium is one of the best choices for a tough yet showy perennial groundcover. If you prefer a similar but less aggressive variety, consider C. montana 'Amethyst Dream'. It prefers shade, but . This sweetly-scented perennial spreads easily, so keep it in check by planting it in well-groomed areas like along walkways or close to the house's foundation. Spotted deadnettle. Are rabbits attracted to spotted dead nettle? Planted in groupings, which spread rapidly, they make an elegant groundcover for moist, shady areas. Whats more, it requires relatively little maintenance, and it resists deer and other critters. In fact, they are one of the best perennials for shade. Excellent evergreen ground cover for shadeThe North American native speciesPachysandra procumbensis harder to find but a more graceful and less spready choiceGrows 6 to 10 inches 15-25 cm tall. Many are perennials, some are annuals, and some make good ground covers, though they can be overly aggressive in favorable locations. 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. In fact it thrives on summer drought in dry shade. Creeping phlox is a short plant often seen covering the side of a hill or retaining wall with colorful spring flowers. Height is a foot or so. It quickly forms a thick mound and blooms all summer long, producing a sweet honey scent that attracts pollinators throughout the season. Creeping Raspberry is a part of the Rosaceae family. 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. Lamium is evergreen from Zone 6 south. Look for varieties like Ghost that are heavily silvered and really brighten up lightly to densely shaded spaces. This common weedy plant is a member of the mint family and forms early groundcover mats, with fuzzy . In fact, beware of this potentially invasive ground cover, especially if you live near a forest. Noteworthy Characteristics Lamium maculatum, commonly called spotted deadnettle, is native to Europe and North Africa to West Asia. The unusual common name of "dead nettles" alludes to the fact that, while it resembles stinging nettles, the stingers are dead on L. maculatum, rendering it harmless. If you prefer a small hosta, opt for 'Blue Mouse Ears' that grows 6 to 12 inches high with round, heart-shaped blue-green leaves. It is mainly grown for beautiful berries that succeed the blossoms over green leaves. Try to plant it in large groupings on a hillside or along the house's foundation to prevent erosion. This native ground cover is as useful as it is pretty, acting as the larval host of the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly and as a weed suppressing ground cover. In either case, cut back shabby foliage after the first frost to make way for new growth in the spring. Its dense mats are threatening native plants on forest floors. It also produces lovely purple, white, blue, or pink flowers in the summer. If those conditions describe your landscape, then you may want to check out this wonderful little relative of the dogwood trees. This tuberous perennial has long, thin, chive-like foliage you can enjoy in the kitchen; the greenery is topped by tiny purple flowers in the summer, and its also available in a variegated type. Society garlic can also tolerate dry conditions. It is a mat-forming perennial ground cover that typically grows 5-8" tall but spreads indefinitely over time by sprawling stems which root in the ground as they go. 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. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? Creeping lamium averages 10 inches tall, with small flower groups appearing in the summer. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! Low-growing, ground-hugging perennial plants are the best low-maintenance ground coverings. Here are four options that we've grown in various areas around the . But they are not grasses, and are instead herbaceous floweringperennial plantsin the asparagus family. Our native white wood aster (Aster divaricatus), which grows in USDA Zones 3 through 8, spreads underground and by seed to form dense colonies even in dry shade conditions. 4. Hardy in zones 7 through 10, these low maintenance ground cover plants love full sun and heat. Hardy and deer resistant in USDA Zones 4 through 8, this colonizing fern prefers humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils. The large, veined, heart-shaped leaves have a spread of 18 to 24 inches, and most varieties bloom in late spring with small pink flowers. Clusters of rose-pink flowers appear in spring, then continue off and on until fall, appearing more reliably through summer than other varieties. wide. They save their energy for the surprisingly large flowers, white on desert zinnia and yellow on prairie zinnia. The dainty lavender flowers and vining evergreen leaves make this purple ground cover incredibly popular as a low maintenance ground cover for shade. Its a native to wooded areas and stream banks of the Appalachian Mountains, and easy to control. This ground cover is a late riser, making it ideal for covering up the spent foliage of spring flowering bulbs. This is not the form of thyme used in cooking, but its fragrance will attract bees and other pollinators. The leaves, bulblets and bulbs of the nodding onion plant are edible with a strong onion flavor, but its more common to grow Allium cernuum for its easily identifiable flowers. Lamium is an excellent ground cover for shade. Once it settles in to its new home, this fern will speed up its spread and transplant easily if you find new shady places for it in your landscape. Take leaves off at least half of the bottom portion of the branch. Ice plant is a perennial succulent ground cover with fleshy leaves and colorful flowers. Eventually, they will form a mat. . Although not as attractive to cats as catnip (Nepeta cataria), catmint is a gardeners dream: an easy-to-grow, robust purple ground cover. Add compost if you have clayey soil to improve drainage. There are so many options to choose from, including old favorites like Pachysandra and Vinca, as well as small shrubs, perennials, and annuals. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. Note that Lenten rose is toxic to animals. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Astros GM Dana Brown has more praise team's top prospect, Principal fired for reading 'I Need a New Butt!' The only real maintenance required is trimming it back after it has finished flowering, or whenever it becomes too scraggly for your tastes. Dont worry if it doesnt reappear first thing in spring. It prefers moderate climates but is able to withstand full sun and drought-like conditions. When grown as a ground cover, it is an easy-care plant that requires little maintenance. Subscribe now and be up to date with our latest news and updates. Although it is most. English Ivy. It even takes on the terribly invasive Garlic Mustard.