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Gaining Ground TOUGH PLANTS FOR TOUGH PLACES
Grass is the classic ground cover used in landscaping, yet many ground cover perennials offer the low maintenance qualities and consistencies of a lawn. Perennials selected for ground covers are some of the most adaptable and easy to care for of all perennial plants. Great ground cover plants show characteristics of vigorous, spreading growth, low maintenance, and drought tolerance. In areas of your yard where foot traffic is impractical or infrequent, try creating an interesting tapestry of colorful ground cover perennials. Ground covers can also be used to solve many problems in your landscape. A lawn that is too steep to safely maintain, eroded slopes, or monotonous expanses of sod can easily be replaced with hardy ground covers. To create a tapestry or mosaic of color in your yard, use this collection of low-growing ground covers to carpet the space in between larger perennials. Throughout the gardening season, this garden collection is sure to form a spectacular mosaic of color and interest in your home or commercial landscape.
Plant in groups of three except where indicated.
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a. Arabis 'Variegata' (5)
Height 4-5", Spacing 12-15". |
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j. Phlox 'Rose Cushion'
Height 2-3", Spacing 12-15". |
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b. Artemisia 'Silver Cascade'
Height 6-12", Spacing 18-24". |
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k. Santolina chamaecyparissus var. nana (1)
Height 12", Spacing 18-24". |
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c. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Height 12", Spacing 12-18". |
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l. Saponaria ocymoides (2)
Height 6-8", Spacing 15-18". |
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d. Coreopsis 'Nana' (5)
Height 12", Spacing 12-15". |
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m. Sedum kamtschaticum (5)
Height 6-8", Spacing 12-15". |
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e. Delosperma nubigenum (5)
Height 2-3", Spacing 15-18". |
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n. Sedum sieboldii (5)
Height 6", Spacing 12-15". |
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f. Dianthus 'Sternkissen' (5)
Height 2-3", Spacing 15-18". |
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o. Sedum 'Tricolor'
Height 2-4", Spacing 12-18". |
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g. Festuca 'Select' (2)
Height 18-20", Spacing 10-15". |
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p. Sedum 'Fuldaglut' (5)
Height 2-4", Spacing 18-24". |
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h. Helianthemum 'Wisely Primrose' (2)
Height 12", Spacing 18-24". |
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q. Stachys byzantina
Height 12-18", Spacing 15-18". |
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i. Nepata 'Six Hills Giant' (2)
Height 36", Spacing 24-36". |
| This garden includes 73 plants of 17 cultivars. Substitutions of similar plants may be made if some varieties are not available. |
| Show Plant List |
helpful hints
- Add ground cover shrubs such as Dwarf Mountain Pine and Juniper or upright evergreens to provide winter interest.
- Plant Sedum, Thymus, and Delosperma on rock ledges or above retaining walls to create a cascading effect.
- Create a winding path of Creeping Thyme through your ground cover garden to provide a maintenance entry without sacrificing valuable planting space.
- If you live in a Zone 5 area, substitute the Zone 6 Santolina with Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound'.
Credits: Etera Perennial Guide, Vol. 1, 1999
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