Mention the words \u201cground cover planting\u201d in some circles and a flicker book of dull, static planting vignettes starts to roll out, shaped by demands for a robust, amenity response. This may apply when imagination and resources are low, but really there is no justification for it. What distinguishes ground cover from other forms of planting is the need for dual purpose: beauty and function.<\/a><\/p>\n

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$\""Fermob\"$ <\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Ground cover plants need balance<\/strong><\/p>\n
All successful planting is about balance \u2013 a balance between horizontal and vertical planes; small and large leaves, between solids and spaces. With the right balance, planting compositions can be atmospheric and beautiful. Consider your response to a massed bluebell<\/a> wood, or a lush grassy meadow<\/a>. Effectively your visual sense is panning back from minute detail to appreciate the bigger picture. It is here that ground cover can play a part in heightened enjoyment of your garden, taking you in and out of focus as seasonal highlights reach flowering perfection and then fade. The addition of grasses to a ground cover palette adds movement and grace, with light breezes gently bending seedheads<\/a> or rustling foliage.<\/p>\n
Pick the right ground cover plants for your soil<\/strong><\/p>\n
Ground cover plants should suit both your soil and aspect. I also rank ground cover plants along a scale of vigour, from \u2018rudely robust\u2019 to \u2018essentially decorative\u2019. Truly aggressive plants, for example, Trachystemon orientalis<\/em> appear very much at the rude end of the scale. As such, they are invaluable to colonise poor ground and best used on their own. Petasites japonicus<\/em>, Darmera peltata<\/em> and Symphytum grandiflorum<\/em> are similarly strong candidates for monoculture.<\/p>\n
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Somewhat less aggressive, but as effective in colonisation of ground to the exclusion of others, are some of the stoloniferous Epimediums<\/em>. Epimediums<\/em>\u00a0grandiflorum<\/em>, Epimediums<\/em>\u00a0perralderianum<\/em>, Epimediums<\/em>\u00a0x perralchicum<\/em> and Epimediums<\/em>\u00a0x versicolor<\/em> types offer a \u2018slow burn\u2019 coverage, but once established, their congested mat of growth effectively excludes any interlopers. Such qualities make them an ideal underplanting to woodland shrubs<\/a>, or woodland edge.<\/p>\n
Nearer the middle of the scale, plants of similar vigour can be used in partnership to give oscillating peaks to the season; when one is in full display, the other is resting. Hosta<\/em> \u2018Devon Green\u2019,\u00a0 which works well with Digitalis lutea<\/em><\/a>, or Teucrium scorodonia<\/em> \u2018Crispum\u2019 with Geranium pyrenaicum<\/em> \u2018Bill Wallis\u2019 and Viola riviniana<\/em> Purpurea Group.<\/p>\n
Gentle plants with slow, expansive growth that migrate across a space to colonise new ground can be used in painterly compositions without fear any one will obliterate the others.<\/p>\n
Below are a selection of ground cover plants that I\u2019d recommend.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t miss Chris Marchant\u2019s ground cover planting combinations for shade, sun and undeneath roses<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
The best ground cover plants<\/h2>\n
Ground cover for sunny spots<\/h3>\n
Aster pyrenaeus<\/em> \u2018Lutetia\u2019<\/h4>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Cuveland\/ullstein bild via Getty Images<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nMildew-resistant, persistent and vigorous, even in lean soils. Bears lilac-pink flowers from August to October. Good ground cover to plant with silver aromatics, such as lavender<\/a>. 65cm x 75cm. RHS H6, USDA 5a-8b.<\/p>\n
Liriope muscari<\/em><\/h3>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 DeAgostini\/Getty Images<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nUseful evergreen plant that slowly expands to form a dense thatch of strappy, dark-green foliage, perfect for ground cover. Late-season, purple flowers are more abundant in a sunny aspect, although will tolerate dappled shade<\/a>. Equally at home in formal or informal schemes. 50cm x 30cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 6a-10b.<\/p>\n
Buy Liriope muscari<\/em> from Crocus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>Betonica officinalis<\/em> \u2018Hummelo\u2019<\/h4>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Paroli Galperti\/REDA&CO\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Formerly known as Stachys officinalis<\/em> \u2018Hummelo\u2019. Neat mounds of serrated green foliage frame abundant spikes of rosy-purple flowers from June. If spent flowers are trimmed back, a second ground cover flush takes up the display during September. 55cm x 55cm. RHS H5.<\/p>\n
Buy Betonica officinalis<\/em> \u2018Hummelo\u2019 from Crocus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>Persicaria affinis<\/em> \u2018Darjeeling Red\u2019<\/h4>\nTolerant of dry conditions in both sun and light shade, this plant with fine, glossy foliage colonises new ground through adventitious roots on running stems to form a dense mat of ground cover. 25cm x 40cm. AGM. RHS H5, USDA 5a-8b. A. Read our profile on Persicaria<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n
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Artemisia stelleriana<\/em> \u2018Boughton Silver\u2019<\/h4>\nSilver-felted, oak-like leaves on lax prostrate stems form a dense, low-maintenance carpet of ground cover. Stud with Allium<\/a> cernuum<\/em> to add another layer of colour once the yellow flowers die down. 20cm x 40cm. RHS H4, USDA 3a-8b.<\/p>\n
Sedum telephium<\/em> subsp. ruprechtii<\/em><\/h4>\n
Slumped stems bear grey-green foliage, contrasting with flat heads of creamy-buff flowers. In autumn, ground cover foliage turns burgundy and flower heads achieve a gold colouring. 40cm x 50cm. RHS H4, USDA 3a-9a.<\/p>\n
Buy Sedum telephium<\/em> subsp. ruprechtii<\/em> from Beth Chatto<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>Calamintha nepeta<\/em> \u2018Blue Cloud\u2019<\/h4>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Buy Calamintha nepeta<\/em> \u2018Blue Cloud\u2019 from Claire Austin<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>Erigeron karvinskianus<\/em><\/h4>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Claire Takacs<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Known as the wall daisy, for its capacity to cling to a vertical surface, it will survive in the leanest, driest soil. A prolific, self-seeding habit ensures regeneration, even after cold winters. Ideal ground cover. 30cm x 35cm. AGM. RHS H7, USDA 6a-9b.<\/p>\n
Buy Erigeron karvinskianus<\/em> from Crocus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Hemerocallis<\/em> \u2018Little Grapette\u2019<\/h4>\n
This shorter, multi-headed form has a long season of purple flowers and neat, strappy foliage that matures to bright autumnal yellow. Works well in massed effect.\n45cm x 50cm. RHS H3, USDA 4a-10b.<\/p>\n
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Phlomis russeliana<\/em><\/h4>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Buy Phlomis russeliana<\/em> from Crocus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
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The best ground cover plants for shade<\/h3>\n
Epimedium <\/em>x versicolor<\/em> \u2018Sulphureum\u2019<\/h4>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9\u00a0FlowerPhotos\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Valuable semi-evergreen form where attractive burgundy veining is prominent on new young leaves. Pale-yellow flowers are held proud of the foliage in April but are secondary to the foliage, which attains an attractive bronzed autumnal colouring for robust ground cover. 35cm x 35cm. AGM. RHS H6-7, USDA 5a-9a.<\/p>\n
Buy Epimedium <\/em>x versicolor<\/em> \u2018Sulphureum\u2019 from Claire Austin<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>Hosta<\/em> \u2018Devon Green\u2019<\/h4>\n
Glossy, elongated leaves of vibrant green emerge in April and expand to form flat circular rosettes. Foliage waxes to glowing yellow in autumn. Tolerant of average soil. 45cm x 50cm. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 3a-8b.<\/p>\n
Buy Hosta \u2018Devon Green\u2019 from Crocus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Teucrium scorodonia<\/em> \u2018Crispum\u2019<\/h4>\n
Sage-like green leaves have attractive tightly crimped margins, giving valuable textural variety for this ground cover option. Durable and distinctive with simple, lime-green flower spikes that stand for many weeks. 40cm x 45cm. RHS H6, USDA 7a-11.<\/p>\n
Dryopteris erythrosora<\/em><\/h4>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 DeAgostini\/Getty Images<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nElegant, unfurling fronds of coppery pink contrast well the many blues and yellows of early spring. Prefers dappled shade and humus-rich soil, though copes with leaner conditions. Good ground cover partner to Geum<\/em> \u2018Lemon Drops\u2019 and Briza media<\/em>. 45cm x 35cm. AGM. RHS H4, USDA 5a-9a. Here\u2019s our plant profile on the best ferns for your garden.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
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Buy Dryopteris erythrosora<\/em> from Crocus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/li>\n<\/ul>Pulmonaria<\/em> \u2018Lewis Palmer\u2019<\/h4>\nWith electric-blue flowers and handsome, silver-spotted foliage it\u2019s happy in reasonably moisture-retentive soil. Trim off all the foliage after flowering to stimulate new leaf growth. 40cm x 45cm. AGM. RHS H7, USDA 5a-8b. Don\u2019t miss our pulmonaria plant profile<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Buy Pulmonaria<\/em> \u2018Lewis Palmer\u2019 through the RHS<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Clematis <\/em>x jouiniana<\/em> \u2018Praecox\u2019<\/h4>\n
Ascending woody stems terminate in clusters of scented, powder-blue flowers from late summer. Can be kept low to at as ground cover in shady swathes at a woodland edge. 1.5-7m x 1.2- 6m. AGM. RHS H6, USDA 4a-9b.<\/p>\n
Mukdenia rossii<\/em> \u2018Karasuba\u2019<\/h4>\n
Simple sprays of white flowers in spring give way to vibrant autumnal red and bronze foliage. This ground cover plant grows best in moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil in dappled shade. 25cm x 30cm. RHS H6, USDA 4a-9b.<\/p>\n
Buy Mukdenia rossii<\/em> \u2018Karasuba\u2019 from Crocus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>Geranium phaeum<\/em> \u2018Samobor\u2019<\/h4>\nPretty, nodding, claret-red flowers in spring, sit above attractively marked foliage that lasts late into autumn. An occasional Helleborus<\/a> foetidus<\/em> will add a bright, evergreen note to the ground cover. 65cm x 40cm. RHS H6-7, USDA 5a-7b.<\/p>\n
Buy Geranium phaeum<\/em> \u2018Samobor\u2019 from Crocus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>Trachystemon orientalis<\/em><\/h4>\n $\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
\u00a9 Maayke de Ridder<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Will grow anywhere that large-scale ground cover is required, but keep out of direct, prevailing winds. Borage-like, blue flowers appear in advance of the immense hairy, heart-shaped leaves. 45cm x 65cm. RHS H5, USDA 8b.<\/p>\n
Buy Trachystemon orientalis<\/em> from Beth Chatto<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
How to grow ground cover plants<\/h2>\n
Sunny outlook<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Open, dry and sunny conditions support a broader range of ground cover plants if soil is open and aerated to keep microbial activity alive. Where sun is a constant, evaporation of precious moisture from the surface is reduced by the application of surface gravel or stone mulch. This also helps prevent a surface crust forming. Chance seedlings in these spaces are easily removed until the expanse of low, creeping foliage swells to precludes unwelcome interlopers.<\/p>\n
Woodland\/shade<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Thorough manual cultivation of the soil with incorporation of organic material to open the texture and increase moisture retention significantly adds to success. Occasional feeding of the soil improves performance for ground cover. A 5cm mulch of well-rotted manure and leaf mould (20\/80 ratio) in spring will be taken down to the lower soil profile by worms, improving aeration and fertility.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t miss Chris Marchant\u2019s ground cover planting combinations for shade, sun and underneath roses<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n
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By Daisy Bowie-Sell Published: Tuesday, 05 July 2022 at 12:00 am Mention the words \u201cground cover planting\u201d in some circles and a flicker book of dull, static planting vignettes starts to roll out, shaped by demands for a robust, amenity response. This may apply when imagination and resources are low, but really there is no […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":12621,"template":"","categories":[1,51],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"9"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/07\/ground-cover-the-best-plants-for-ground-cover.jpg",1707,2560,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/07\/ground-cover-the-best-plants-for-ground-cover-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/07\/ground-cover-the-best-plants-for-ground-cover-200x300.jpg",200,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/07\/ground-cover-the-best-plants-for-ground-cover-768x1152.jpg",768,1152,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/07\/ground-cover-the-best-plants-for-ground-cover-683x1024.jpg",683,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/07\/ground-cover-the-best-plants-for-ground-cover-1024x1536.jpg",1024,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/07\/ground-cover-the-best-plants-for-ground-cover-1366x2048.jpg",1366,2048,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Daisy Bowie-Sell Published: Tuesday, 05 July 2022 at 12:00 am Mention the words \u201cground cover planting\u201d in some circles and a flicker book of dull, static planting vignettes starts to roll out, shaped by demands for a robust, amenity response. This may apply when imagination and resources are low, but really there is no…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/12620"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12620"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12620"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}