Carpeting garden with ground cover plants
New Delhi: Ground cover plants are low-growing plants that spread to cover the ground, providing a variety of benefits such as erosion control, weed suppression, and aesthetic enhancement. Here are some popular ground cover plants. Selecting the right ground cover plant depends on the specific conditions of your garden, such as sunlight, soil type, and moisture levels. These plants not only add beauty to the landscape but also offer practical benefits in terms of maintenance and environmental health.
Plants that can be preferred as ground covers are:
Creeping thyme
Low-growing, fragrant, and produces small purple flowers.
Drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators and is suitable for sunny areas.
Sedum
Succulent comes in various shapes and colors and produces small star-shaped flowers.
Very drought-tolerant, ideal for rocky or dry areas.
Wedelia
A popular ground cover plant known for its bright green foliage and small, vibrant yellow flowers. It spreads rapidly through stolons (above-ground runners), forming a dense mat of foliage that can cover large areas quickly. Wedelia can grow in full sun to partial shade, though it flowers more profusely in sunnier spots.
Also Read: Gomphrena Species – A Flower Crop for Pride and Prosperity
Hemigraphis:
It adds a splash of color and texture to the garden.
In outdoor settings, it can be used as ground cover or as an accent plant in flower beds or containers
Geranium:
It produces pink or white flowers in summer and has large fragrant leaves.
At maturity, geranium can spread up to 1m providing excellent ground cover.
Partially shaded places are well suited for better growth.
Zephyranthes:
Specimen clumps are attractive, but with proper space plants can be also grown in groups or massed. Looks great as a ground cover massed under deciduous trees. It is also called as rain Lilly and grown as a perennial. It can either be deciduous or evergreen. Most of the plants bloom in spring and summer.
Rhoeo:
Rhoeo discolor, also known as Moses in the Cradle, is a succulent herb that can be used as an excellent ground cover in gardens. It has dark green leaves with purple undersides and can grow up to 40 cm tall and 30-40 cm wide. Rhoeo discolor is known by many names such as Moses in a basket, boat lily and oyster plant.
Vinca:
Vinca minor grows in partial sun, partial shade and full shade. It tolerates deep shade conditions but may burn in direct sunlight. For best results, plant them in partial shade. They are a good choice for ground cover for an area with dry shade.
Irish moss:
Irish moss is a popular landscaping solution, that offers visual interest and charm. It can tolerate light foot traffic and can be used anywhere carpet-like coverage is desired, such as a rock garden or even a lawn where it’s difficult to grow grass.
Tradescantia:
Tradescantia pallida species can be used as ground cover. Commonly found individually or in clumps in wooded areas and open fields.
Benefits of growing ground cover plants:
Many ground cover options are evergreen, ensuring the garden stays vibrant even during the grayest months. Their glossy or variegated leaves add texture and color.
Once established, ground cover plants need minimal care.
They form a living carpet, blocking out weeds.
Replacing the part of the Lawn with ground cover plants saves the time and effort spent on mowing.
They attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Carpeting garden with ground cover plants
By Ayesha Syed
By Dr. M. Raja Naik
By Dr. N. Vinod Kumar
By Smt. Asma Siddiqua
Department of Floriculture and Landscaping
Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, College of Horticulture, Ananthara jupeta,Annamayya Dist.A.P. 516105
