Ground Covers
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Ajuga repens (Carpet Bugle):
There are many different cultivars of the common Ajuga, but all do best in
partial shade, or strong filtered light and a rich, moist soil mixture. Ajuga is most noted for its interesting foliage
coloration, but does produce attractive flower spikes in shades of pink or blue throughout the warmer months. Ajuga is a
low growing ground cover, never getting much more than six inches in height. Baiting for snails is recommended.
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Aptenia cordifolia (Red Apple):
This succulent ground cover is happiest in full sun and will even thrive in
hotter, inland areas. Dark, fleshy foliage is accented by tiny, bright red/fuchsia flowers throughout most of the year.
Aptenia is a low grower, from six to eight inches, but can spread as far as four feet. Although virtually carefree,
yellowing foliage can be treated with Roger's Soil Activator if necessary.
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Campanula muralis (Bellflower):
Low growing perennial best suited for part shade or coastal sun.
Small, lavender/blue flowers are abundant from spring through fall. Great massed as a ground cover or spilling out
of containers and hanging baskets.
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Cerastium tomentosum (Snow-in-Summer):
Silvery/grey foliage is accented by masses of 1/2 inch snow
white flowers in summer. Plants will reach six to eight inches in height and spread to over two feet. Cerastium can
tolerate full sun, but appreciates some afternoon protection in hotter, inland areas.
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Chamaemelum nobile (German Chamomile):
Fine-textured perennial noted for it's aromatic foliage and
tiny yellow "button' flowers. Chamomile rarely exceeds four to six inches in height and will spread to over one foot wide.
Full sun to part shade
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Erodium reichardii (Cranesbill):
Three to six inches high with up to a one foot spread. Erodium produces
an abundance of 1/2 inch wide pink or white flowers from spring through early fall. Great in rock gardens or as a
small scale ground cover. Sun to part shade.
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Festuca ovina 'Glauca" (Blue Fescue):
Mounding, ornamental grass noted for its blue/grey foliage and
dense growth habit. This grass will tolerate full sun to part shade and does best with regular watering. Although not a
true ground cover, Blue Fescue will reach about eight to ten inches in height and equally as wide.
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Fragaria chiloensis (Ornamental Strawberry):
Vigorous, spreading perennial ground cover. Plants will
grow from six to twelve inches in height with a considerably wider spread. Attractive white flowers are present in
spring and early summer, yet plants will rarely set fruit in most gardens. Once established, Fragaria can survive in
drier conditions, but will tolerate regular watering quite well. Part shade or coastal sun.
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Gazania hybrids (Freeway Daisy):
Extremely drought tolerant and heat resistant perennial. Great for
difficult planting areas where dependable color and coverage are required. Flowers range between yellow to burgundy
and are apparent throughout the warmer months of the year. Infrequent water necessary once established. Fertilize
once in spring with Roger's Soil Activator.
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Hedera species (Ivy):
Ivy is a very vigorous ground cover useful for both ornamental applications and
erosion control. Most ivy can tolerate both sun or shade and are not too fussy in regards to watering requirements. It
is recommended that your ivy e sheared back once a year in spring to prevent thick,. woody growth. Roger's
Soil Activator should be applied once in spring, and again in late summer. Ivy plants will differ in foliage shape
and coloration depending on species and cultivar.
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Lantana montevidensis (Trailing Lantana):
Shrubby, perennial ground cover noted for its low
watering requirements and clusters of purple flowers throughout most of the year. Plants can mound up to three feet and
spread to easily twice that. Prune plants back in spring to prevent woody undergrowth. Full sun.
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Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny, Moneywort):
Fast-spreading, low-growing perennial noted for
its attractive foliage and yellow summer flowers. Great both as a ground cover or as a hanging basket accent plant .
Variety 'Goldilocks' has yellow/gold foliage with similar growth habit. Grows best in part shade or filtered light
with regular watering.
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Mentha requienii (Corsican Mint):
Fast spreading perennial very similar to Baby Tears, but with fragrant,
minty foliage. Extremely low growing (only 1/2 inch high). Does well with partial shade and regular water.
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Ophiopogon japonicus (Mondo Grass):
Twelve inch clumps of dark green,. bladed leaves eventually spread
via underground stems. Flowers are somewhat insignificant. Partial shade or coastal sun and regular watering in a
fast draining soil are the idea conditions for Mondo Grass. Variety 'Nana' grows half a stall and has a denser foliage habit.
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Osteospermum fruticosum (African Daisy):
Evergreen perennial useful in sunny, neglected areas of the garden.
Plants grow up to one foot in height with an unlimited spread once established. Flowers are born primarily in
spring and summer, and are available in a variety of different colors. It is recommended that plants are cut back
periodically to encourage a lush, full growth habit.
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Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge):
Underground spreader noted for its glossy foliage and
fragrant, white flowers in summer. Japanese Spurge grows best in acidic soil in a shady location. Prune periodically to
prevent woodiness. Fertilize in spring with Roger's Soil Activator.
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Potentilla tabernaemontanii (Spring Cinquefoil):
Fast growing, dainty ground cover growing from two to
six inches in height. Plants will root along stems as they spread outward. Small, butter-yellow flowers are
present throughout spring and summer. Part shade or coastal sun with moderate watering.
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Pratia pedunculata (Blue Star Creeper, Isotoma, Laurentia):
Low growing perennial, very similar to
Baby Tears only more tolerant of sunny conditions. Blue Star Creeper does best in strong, filtered light or partial sun
and a moist soil condition. Tiny, green foliage is accented by small, pale-blue flowers throughout the warmer months.
Fertilize monthly, spring through fall with Roger's Soil Activator.
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Rosmarinus officinalis (Trailing Rosemary):
A prostrate variety of the common rosemary, Trailing
Rosemary is an excellent ground cover for sunny banks or retaining walls. Plant cuttings about two feet apart for
faster coverage. Rosemary will produce clusters of light blue flowers primarily in spring, with occasional
blooming throughout the remainder of the year. Drought tolerant.
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Sagina sublata (Irish moss):
Moss-like perennial growing from two to three inches in height with unlimited spread.
For best fill, plugs should be planted from six to eight inches apart in well drained soil. Grows in sun to part
shade, and appreciates occasional feeding with Roger's Soil Activator. Tiny white flowers during spring and summer.
Regular watering.
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Sagina sublata 'Aurea' (Scotch Moss):
Same as Irish moss, only lighter green in foliage coloration.
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Soleirolia soleirolii (Baby Tears):
Tender, low growing ground cover with tiny foliage and an aggressive
growth habit. An excellent selection for that difficult, shady spot in the garden. Baby Tears prefer shade or filtered
light along with a moist soil condition. Unlimited in its spreading possibilities, Baby Tears never get much more
than a few inches in height.
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Zoysia tenuifolia (Korean Grass):
Perennial, ornamental grass noted for its dense, carefree growth habit.
This fine bladed grass has a bumpy appearance when completely full and has a tendency to go dormant during
colder winter months. Korean Grass is an excellent ground cover for areas where it is impossible to mow, as it has
an extremely low growth habit. Full sun to part shade and moderate watering.
Of course there are many other plants that can be effective ground covers for most planting situations. The
preceding information is only a sampling of some of the more popular ground cover options available. Please feel free to
ask one of our nursery professionals for other ground cover suggestions that might be suitable for your
particular landscaping needs.
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