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Ground covers

Low, spreading plants for erosion control, lawn alternatives, and filling space.

632 plants

Ground covers in the database

Liverleaf (Hepatica Nobilis) — the pennywort captivates onlookers with its strikingly delicate flowers; ground cover / perennial for shade, image 122

Ground cover

Liverleaf

Hepatica Nobilis

ShadeUSDA 5–8
Lobelia (Lobelia Erinus) — The flowers come in an array of colors; annual / ground cover with blue and multi-colored blooms, image 86

Annual

Lobelia

Lobelia Erinus

FullUSDA 3–10
London Pride (Saxifraga X Urbium) — The foliage comprises spoon-shaped leaves

Ground cover

London Pride

Saxifraga X Urbium

HalfUSDA 6–8
Looking Glass Bugloss (Brunnera 'Looking Glass') — Its heart-shaped leaves create a shimmering underplanting

Ground cover

Looking Glass Bugloss

Brunnera 'Looking Glass'

Deep ShadeUSDA 2–10
Love Pat Hosta (Hosta 'Love Pat') — The Hosta 'Love Pat' is a striking perennial with deeply-cupped

Ground cover

Love Pat Hosta

Hosta 'Love Pat'

Deep ShadeUSDA 3–9
Lucky White Lantana (Lantana 'Lucky White') — It thrives in full sun, reaching up to 18 inches in height and spreading 24 inches wide

Ground cover

Lucky White Lantana

Lantana 'Lucky White'

FullUSDA 9–11
Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis Floribunda) — which are oval-shaped and measure about 2 to 5 inches in length; white flowers in the garden, image 56

Ground cover

Madagascar Jasmine

Stephanotis Floribunda

FullUSDA 10–10
Madagascar Senecio (Senecio Decaryi) — Notable for its drought tolerance and architectural form

Ground cover

Madagascar Senecio

Senecio Decaryi

FullUSDA 9–11
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Capillus-Veneris) — Inform clients of its modest growth rate and non-invasive nature; is a delicate yet enchanting species that

Fern

Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum Capillus-Veneris

Deep ShadeUSDA 5–9
Majorcan Germander (Teucrium Cossonii Majoricum) — Its silver-green foliage contrasts beautifully against spikes of vibrant purple flowers

Ground cover

Majorcan Germander

Teucrium Cossonii Majoricum

FullUSDA 7–10
Marguerite Sweet Potatoe Vine (Ipomoea batatas 'Marguerite') — is a fast-growing perennial with vibrant chartreuse to golden-yellow heart-shaped foliage

Ground cover

Marguerite Sweet Potatoe Vine

Ipomoea batatas 'Marguerite'

FullUSDA 10–11
Marie Luise Variegated English Ivy (Hedera Helix 'Marie Luise Variegata') — is a robust evergreen climber

Broadleaf Evergreen

Marie Luise Variegated English Ivy

Hedera Helix 'Marie Luise Variegata'

FullUSDA 4–9
Mauve Clusters Fan Flower (Scaevola 'Mauve Clusters') — Scaevola 'Mauve Clusters', a robust groundcover, flaunts fan-shaped flowers of a delicate mauve shade

Ground cover

Mauve Clusters Fan Flower

Scaevola 'Mauve Clusters'

FullUSDA 9–10
Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium Sanguineum 'Max Frei') — The blossoms are approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter and are set against finely divided

Ground cover

Max Frei Bloody Cranesbill

Geranium Sanguineum 'Max Frei'

FullUSDA 3–9
Max Frei Soapwort (Saponaria Lempergii 'Max Frei') — or Saponaria x lempergii 'Max Frei'

Ground cover

Max Frei Soapwort

Saponaria Lempergii 'Max Frei'

FullUSDA 4–8
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — and by May (hence its name), image 102

Ground cover

May Apple, Indian Apple

Podophyllum Peltatum

HalfUSDA 3–7
Mazus (Mazus Reptans) — This plant tolerates occasional foot traffic

Ground cover

Mazus

Mazus Reptans

HalfUSDA 5–8
Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera Speciosa) — this plant is also a favorite among pollinators

Ground cover

Mexican Evening Primrose

Oenothera Speciosa

FullUSDA 9–10
Ming Asparagus Fern (Asparagus Retrofractus) — make it suitable for drought-tolerant landscapes

Fern

Ming Asparagus Fern

Asparagus Retrofractus

FullUSDA 9–11
Missouri Primrose (Oenothera Missourensis) — Blooms from late spring to early fall, attracting pollinators; yellow flowers up to 5 inches wide, image 52

Ground cover

Missouri Primrose

Oenothera Missourensis

FullUSDA 4–10
Molongo Grevillea (Grevillea Juniperina 'Molonglo') — The Molongo Grevillea (Grevillea juniperina 'Molonglo') is an ornate shrub

Ground cover

Molongo Grevillea

Grevillea Juniperina 'Molonglo'

FullUSDA 9–11
Mondo Grass, Lily Grass (Ophiopogon Japonicus) — commonly known as Mondo Grass or Lily Grass

Grass

Mondo Grass, Lily Grass

Ophiopogon Japonicus

Deep ShadeUSDA 7–10
Montara Sagebrush (Artemisia 'Montara') — Thriving in USDA zones 5-9, it reaches 18-24 inches in height and spreads 24-30 inches

Ground cover

Montara Sagebrush

Artemisia 'Montara'

FullUSDA 11–11
Moonshine Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Moonshine') — presents a marvelous display of silver foliage beneath clusters of cobalt blue

Ground cover

Moonshine Lungwort

Pulmonaria 'Moonshine'

Deep ShadeUSDA 3–9

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.