Dallas Morning News – June 10, 2021
Flowering Groundcovers
Groundcover plantings do not have to be green only. There are several excellent choices of flowering ground covers to use in the sun and some for shade where the grass will not grow.
Ajuga Ajuga reptens. 3 – 6″ evergreen groundcover for sun to part shade. Spreads slowly by runners. Bronzy-purple leaves and purple flowers on short stalks. Needs well-prepared beds with good drainage. Fairly high water and fertilizer requirements. Good for small areas.
 Giant ajuga is a larger growing and tougher form of this flowering ground cover |
Creeping Thyme Thymus spp. Perennial evergreen culinary herb groundcover for full sun. Grows 3″ – 12″ and spreads easily. Tiny star-like flowers bloom throughout the spring and summer in shades from crimson to pink or white. Small 1/8″ – 1/4″ long, pointed highly aromatic leaves ranging from glossy dark green to wooly silver or variegated green and gold. Great for use along walk edges or around stepping stones.
 Creeping thyme is an excellent culinary herb and a fragrant and colorful ground cover |
Frogfruit Phyla nodiflora. Perennial semi-evergreen, 3-6″ height. Green leaves with reddish or purplish tinge in cold winters. White flowers May- Oct. Dormant during hard winters. Spreads vigorously and is a good nectar plant for butterflies. Can tolerate drought and flooding.
 Frogfruit is a great native ground cover that should be used more |
Houttuynia (Hootenanny Plant) Houttuynia cordata ‘Variegata’. Perennial groundcover for sun or shade. Height 1′ -2′ Spreads aggressively and has yellow, rosy and red foliage color in full sun. Bruised foliage smells like citrus. Dies completely away in harsh winters. Can take any soil condition but does best in wet or boggy soil. Needs to be contained. Is very invasive!
 Houttuynia is pretty but mighty invasive ground cover |
Horseherb Calyptocarpus vialis. Height 8 – 10” Deciduous to semi-evergreen groundcover for sun or shade. Ever blooming tiny yellow flowers. Easy to grow in any soil. Freezes to the ground in cold winters but returns each spring. Drought tolerant and pest free. Looks terrific when planted with wild violets. Also called straggler daisy and considered a weed by some.
 Horseherb is an easy to grow and durable flowering ground cover |
Sedum Sedum spp. Many growing heights, colors and textures. Easily damaged by foot traffic or pets when the succulent leaves and stems are crushed. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is a tall growing perennial with dramatic white flowers as they start developing in the summer and end up red in the fall. S. ‘Ruby Glow’ is lower growing and blooms all summer. Easy to grow in any soil but prefers well-prepared and drained beds. Best exposure is partial shade. Good choice for Japanese gardens, rock gardens, stone walls and small accent areas.
Vinca Vinca major (minor). Evergreen groundcover for shade or part shade. Grows 6″ – 18“ but often looks pretty ratty in late summer from insects and disease. Like most plants it does far better under an organic program. Coarse groundcover for large areas in shade. Spreads quickly and has blue or violet-purple flowers in late spring. Relatively drought tolerant once established. Good plant for a naturally wooded area. V. minor has smaller, shinier leaves, is more refined in appearance, and can tolerate more sun.
 Vinca major has some issues that can be controlled with the organic program |