Transformed Lawn to House Essential Ground Covers - Minimal Maintenance and Radiantly Beautiful than Grass
In the quest for a beautiful and eco-friendly garden, low-maintenance ground cover plants are a popular choice for many homeowners. These plants not only add aesthetic appeal but also provide numerous benefits for wildlife and offer design flexibility.
For those living in the eastern U.S., Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata) is a native ground cover option that blooms vividly in spring. A close relative, Creeping Phlox (Potentilla canadensis), also known as Dwarf Cinquefoil, is easy to grow and rewards gardeners with pretty yellow flowers in spring and summer. Both plants are loved by pollinators and birds who eat their seeds, making them excellent choices for a wildlife-friendly garden.
If you're looking for a non-native ground cover, Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum) might be the perfect fit. This mat-forming plant grows no more than 12 inches tall and is known for its profusion of white flowers in spring and early summer. It thrives in dry climates and is suitable in zones 3 through 8.
Hostas, shade-loving perennials with broad leaves, are another great option. They attract pollinators and provide good ground cover under trees or shaded garden areas. Astilbe, thriving in partial to full shade and moist soils, produces fluffy plumes of colorful flowers that attract pollinators. Both Hostas and Astilbe require minimal care aside from dividing clumps every few years to maintain vigour.
Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) is an evergreen grass-like perennial that tolerates full shade to partial sun and is drought tolerant. It works well around stepping stones and for erosion control. Lily Turf (Liriope muscari) is suited for full shade to full sun, tolerates poor soils, drought, and humidity, featuring grass-like foliage and purple summer flowers. However, it can spread aggressively in some regions.
Pachysandra (Japanese spurge) is perfect for dense shade, this evergreen mat-forming plant suppresses weeds effectively and is fairly low maintenance. But it can be invasive, so containment is advised. Baby Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) is a fine-textured shade lover often used for moisture-retentive shade planting, also friendly to wildlife such as insects. Bigroot Geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum) is shade tolerant, forms a dense mat, and attracts pollinators with its flowers.
When choosing ground covers, consider local climate, soil moisture, and potential invasiveness. Ground covers don't require mowing and offer design options such as evergreen or deciduous, native or non-native, with flowers or without. Some other plants mentioned for shade and low maintenance but potentially less ground-cover focused include Bleeding Heart and Astilbe varieties in colorful blooms.
In conclusion, these plants offer good options for creating a low-effort yet attractive and ecologically beneficial shade ground cover. Whether you opt for native or non-native plants, remember to consider your local conditions to ensure the success of your ground cover choices.
For homeowners seeking a lifestyle that includes a home-and-garden with aesthetic appeal, low maintenance, and wildlife benefits, Moss Phlox and Creeping Phlox are native ground covers that bloom vibrantly in spring and offer design flexibility. Also, Snow-in-Summer is a non-native ground cover option that thrives in dry climates and provides a profusion of white flowers in spring and early summer.
