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Ground covers
Phlox Candy Stripe Use ‘Candy Stripe’ in rock gardens, as a spread over curbs and short retaining walls, or in difficult edges of dry streambeds. The Phlox ‘Candy Stripe’, Phlox subulata, is an ideal ground cover with masses of tiny white flowers with a pink mid-stripe and a thick mat of semi-evergreen foliage. Blooming from April to May, it has a plant height of 6” and a spread of 12-18”. ‘Candy Stripe’ needs to be planted in a full sun area in well-drained soil. It is a definite addition to any perennial garden.
Bigleaf Periwinkle The Bigleaf Periwinkle, Vinca major, is also known as Greater (rosy) Periwinkle, Big Perwinkle and Large Periwinkle. The leaves are dark green and bigger than that of vinca minor. This ornamental plant is fast growing. The Greater Periwinkles are an evergreen, creeping plant with long trailing or arching stems. The flowers are carried in the short, ascending stems. It is usually sold as an annual in zones 3-5 otherwise perennial.
Dwarf Mondo Grass It is intolerant of full sun. This plant is widely used in rock gardens, seashore plantings, borders and groundcovers. This perennial evergreen grows in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. It spreads by underground stems or tubers. Mondo Grasses are symmetrical with a fine texture and has a dense crown.
Japanese Spurge Pachysandra can be used as a lawn substitute in shaded non-traffic areas and ground cover for shade areas. The Japanese Spurge plant, Pachysandra terminalis, and also known as Pachysandra, is a shrubby, evergreen ground cover which grows 8-12" high and spreads by rhizomes to form a dense carpet of rich, dark green foliage. Plant 6 inches apart. Flowers are not particularly showy, but on close inspection are quite attractive. Oval leaves (2-4" long) appear primarily in whorls at the stem ends.
Purple Wintercreeper Euonymus If allowed to climb a wall, tree or other structure, this plant assumes more vine-like characteristics and is more likely to produce flowers, though still sparse and inconspicuous. The flowers are at best sparse, but are usually not present. It is one of the most popular evergreen ground covers available in commerce today. Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' (commonly called purple wintercreeper euonymus, is primarily a trailing ground cover form which typically grows to 6-9" tall and spreads indefinitely by rooting stems as a sprawling, tangled, bushy mat. It is also used for container plantings, massing and erosion control.
Virginia Creeper Also known as Woodbine, it will send up sprouts and seed itself, and established plantings may smother shrubs and trees. Virginia creeper will thrive in most soils, in sun or partial shade, with or without a structure to climb on. The Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a fast-growing, high-climbing vine that attaches itself with tendrils which expand, disk-like, on their tips. Where there is nothing to climb, it attaches to the ground with adventitious roots, and makes an excellent cover for slopes or other places where grass is not practical or desired. The leaves turn fiery red in fall and are very showy.
Chameleon Plant Being similar in shape to English Ivy, it features boldly variegated leaves of red, pink, white, green, and yellow with a plant height of 15”. Houttuynia requires light shade and needs a consistently moist soil in a well-drained area. Use Houttuynia ‘Chameleons’ as a ground cover, in rock gardens, with water plants or in scented gardens.
Lambs Ears Big Ears With spikes of purplish pink small flowers, it has a wonderful effect on any garden. ‘Big Ears Lamb’s Ear’ is a little bit larger than the average Lamb’s Ear, with a plant height of 10” and a spread of 18-24” and blooms in mid-summer. It will add texture and color in rock gardens and looks wonderful with Veronica ‘Goodness Grows’, Tradescantia ‘Concord Grape’ or other purple blooming perennials.
Liriope Big Blue It is a very versatile ornamental grass that can be used as a groundcover or garden accent or even in a container. The Lirope 'Big Blue' is slow spreading.
Liriope Spicata Liriope gracefully fills those spots where nothing else will grow. Large, pale lavender flower spikes bloom in late summer, rising above arching, evergreen tufts of grassy foliage.
Liriope Variegated The grassy foliage is edged with creamy yellow.
Moneywort Golden The sun will help it maintain its golden color.
Moneywort Goldilocks The Moneywort 'Goldilocks', Lysimachia nummularia, also known as Creeping Jenny, displays trailing discs of greenish gold that turn-bright yellow in sun.
Oriental Limelight An aggressive grower with variegated lemon yellow and green foliage.
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