Hostas are some of the happiest and hardiest perennial ground coverings you can grow. Slugs and snails are attracted to the liquid, fall in and drown. It is a woodland plant that requires good drainage and shade. Lamium needs shade and a fertile, moist but well-draining soil. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. It has a stripe down the middle that can be white, yellow, red, or silver. Because the common name is often given as spotted dead nettle. The only issue to watch for is rotting leaves. Lamium is evergreen from Zone 6 south. Groundcover plants are helpful for weed suppression, while also adding texture and color to your garden with low maintenance needs. Any solid green leaves should be snipped out, otherwise, the plant will eventually lose the variegated leaves and become all green. Name: Ceratostigma plumbaginoides. It is an excellent choice as a perennial ground cover since it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, although it grows most quickly in slightly moist, humus-rich soils. Lamium spreads quickly, so be ready to cut it back if it begins to encroach on other shrubs and flowers. Although it is most. RELATED: The 15 Best Plants for Rookie Gardeners. In milder climates, it is semi-evergreen. Are rabbits attracted to spotted dead nettle? Thus you need to be careful in choosing the right spot to grow this plant. English Ivy. All that being said, ground covers are a terrific option for your situation. Nepeta x faassenii is one such species that makes for a good ground cover, since it is one of the best ground coverings to stop weeds. It forms a dense, 8- to 12 . And beware that it is considered invasive in some areas of the Northeast and Northwest. Soft, aromatic creeping thyme seems to check off all the boxes for a gardener, plus more. Many use the ground cover to define the borders of garden paths. Lamium is a fast-growing perennial ground cover that deer and rabbits avoid. Ground covers that develop flowers and fruit often require more maintenance to keep them attractive. There are also several cultivars (all cold-hardy to at least zone 4, most 3 to 12 inches tall, and all wanting the sun/soil conditions of the species plant) of L.maculatum, including: While dead nettle plants areflowering perennials,stinging nettles, by contrast,arenoxious weeds(but edible when properly prepared). Although it is most attractive, I have found it less vigorous in our garden, but perhaps you will have better luck. Select either a shady or half shady location when growing Lamium maculatum. 16 inches apart for coverage in two seasons. To propagate from the stem, cut the 10cm long portion of the stem and leave it to scab for some time. Kathy Huber has worked for the Houston Chronicle since May 1981. Low-growing, ground-hugging perennial plants are the best low-maintenance ground coverings. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Doesn't need much water. Not picky, spotted Dead Nettles do just fine in average, well-drained soil. Some leaves may revert back to an all-green color (instead of being variegated); be sure to prune these out, so that the green color does not eventually take over the plant. Root-hardy, it will return after a freeze, but in mild winters such as this year's, little damage is done to the foliage. Lamium is a fast-growing, perennial ground cover that deer and rabbits avoid. plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Providing extra spacing between plants can lessen leaf-spotting, but this somewhat defeats the purpose of growing spotted dead nettles, as one of their best features is that they spread and fill in an area, thereby crowding out weeds. And lasting from late spring to midsummer, and can be reddish-purple, pink, or white depending on the variety. Another bonus is that it is common and considered one of the cheapest ground covering plants. If you do not want to open a nursery, and it is crowding other plants, shear in midsummer to promote more compact growth. In addition to making your garden look good, lithodora is a useful ally: The plant works as a natural deer repellent (the animals dislike the taste of the flowers) and helps control erosion. This one is a horticultural hybrid developed by crossing Nepata racemosawithN. nepetella. If you've seen the lavender fields in Provence, you know this sweetly-scented perennial with purple or blue flowers looks amazing planted en masse. White Nancy jparkers USDA Zones:3-9 Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In either case, cut back shabby foliage after the first frost to make way for new growth in the spring. It matures to a maximum height of only 6 inches, so many gardeners choose to plant creeping phlox on a slope or along the top of a retaining wall to appreciate its beauty from several angles. . Few ground covers ever look as beautiful as creeping phlox in spring, when it produces an explosion of fragrant, star-shaped, pastel-colored flowers. They save their energy for the surprisingly large flowers, white on desert zinnia and yellow on prairie zinnia. The foliage is evergreen and the 3-inch-high plant trails or spreads, favoring gravel and other sunny, dry conditions in zones 5 through 9. The promise is that Lamiums are fast-growing perennial ground cover or container plants that brighten partly sunny spots and produce charming flowers. This species of plumbago is cold hardy to USDA Zone 5, but will survive winter better if you cover it with a light mulch, or if theres snow cover. If you are looking for a low-maintenance ground cover, sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a good pick, but only under certain conditions. Check with your local county extension for any warnings that they may issue for your own region. The spotted dead nettle plant is listed as invasive in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States and is located mainly in the upper eastern states. In the right climate, brass buttons remain an evergreen ground cover year round. In summer months, little spikes of blue, purple, pink or white flowers will appear. Lamium is one of the choices for ground-cover especially if you are looking for ground-cover that is tough yet showy. Creeping thyme. And, of course, you can snip off the leaves for cooking. While it prefers full sun, it needs regular moisture, especially during hot months. Lamium plants are a perfect deer resistant groundcover to brighten a partly sunny to semi-shady spot. Elsewhere (and depending on growing conditions), they are more likely to besemi-evergreen, herbaceous plants. The 25 low-maintenance ground cover plants in this list are vigorous (some more than others) but manageable, so they will fill in empty spaces without growing out-of-control. Although strawberry begonia is winter hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 9, some people in Zone 6b have reportedly had luck with it overwintering, too. Lamium Anne Greenway Need a good ground cover in the shade or morning sun. Planted in groupings, which spread rapidly, they make an elegant groundcover for moist, shady areas. This plant is fast growing, and one plant can spread up to two feet or more within a year. Being creepers and having a tendency to spread, these classic cottage-garden plants are popular flowering ground covers. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming. Note that Lenten rose is toxic to animals. This plant is deciduous in areas where there is colder weather but stays semi-evergreen in other regions. Those fleshy, bluish-green leaves help retain what little water it receives. It is, therefore, a sterile plant that will not come true from seeds. Basket of Gold also goes by the name yellow alyssum, another reference to its adorable clusters of bright yellow flowers. Lawns also are considered ground covers, but may require more moisture, sunlight, fertilizer and maintenance than other ground cover choices. Dead nettle, also known as Lamium, is a low-growing perennial with silver-splashed leaves and bursts of purple, pink, or white flowers that pop up in spring and early summer. Choose plants that are hardy to USDA zones 2 to 4. Yellow archangel has colorful leaves and flowers. 15. Try it in part shade to full shade, with moist, well-drained soil. FYI: Full sun means an area gets 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day, part sun is anywhere from 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight, and full shade is up to 3 hours of sun. Its native habitat is wooded areas, so it is perfect for a shady woodland garden. Catmint can handle several types of soil as well as both humidity and drought, and its also deer and rabbit resistant. There are more than 40 species of lamium, but the best are those that are flowering perennials like the Pink Chablis. While some have small flowers, the main focal point is the colorful foliage, which ranges from chartreuse to bronze. I put the Lamium along a side of the housewhere the soil is very thin and a lot of plants do not like to grow. This easy-care mat-forming ground cover provides pops of purple blooms from mid-spring to early summer. It can climb walls and grow across landscapes as unstoppable ground cover. . book to class, Report: Houston ranked No. The only maintenance you'll need to do is remove tattered leaves damaged from a bad winter. Advertisement Lamium maculatum 'Beacon Silver' is a shade-loving perennial, highly valued for its drought tolerance and ability to form a bright carpet of silver foliage, with rich pink blooms . 1 most stressful city for U.S. workers, Texas tornados destroy homes, leave 300,000 without power, Willie Nelson's new album is a lovely tribute to a fellow country legend, Turner: TEA is giving Houston ISD two optionsclose school or be taken over, Two ocelots were photographed crossing a road in rare South Texas sighting. I've never tried that one. There are more native species of sedge than any other plant in North America, and many make fine ground covers for shade. The horizontally-spreading branches of creeping junipers make a dense mat that weeds cant penetrate. Aronia is a pretty low-growing native shrub that has tiny white flowers amid glossy green foliage. Pollinating bees and butterflies delight in its bright golden yellow, daisy-like flowers that appear from late spring into early summer. Yarrow can grow in full sun in nearly any soil and can tolerate drought once established. They areespecially valued for use in shady spots, which is a condition that many plants dislike. It prefers moist ground, drought-tolerant once established, and needs full shade. Planted in groupings, it makes a lovely ground cover. Once established, its drought tolerant. Mature plants that have gotten "leggy" should be cut down to just above the ground, which then will grow back into a bushy, compact plant. Both their flowers and their foliage make an impact on the landscape. Ground cover plants are the perfect solution for a variety of landscaping issues. It should be pinched back frequently to keep the plants bushy and "shrubby.". At least one like petunias. Plant them with an assortment of other flowering plants in a container garden to have sitting on your porch and lanai, or they trail beautifully from a hanging basket. Its dense mats are threatening native plants on forest floors. When several are planted together, they form a dense hedge that thrives in almost any type of soil and full sun. If you want this to be a fast-growing ground cover plant, make sure it receives 4-6 hours of sun each day. Sometimes called Pinks because the petals look like they've been trimmed with pinking shears, this pretty ground cover comes in a range of heights, anywhere from low-growing to 2 feet tall. Physalis. :) Thanks much guys. Because the leaves are scented when crushed, deer and rabbits may take one bite and then move on to something more palatable. It is far too unattractive a little for this low-growing carpet of leaves. Farther north, it can take increasing sunlight. This tuberous perennial has long, thin, chive-like foliage you can enjoy in the kitchen; the greenery is topped by tiny purple flowers in the summer, and its also available in a variegated type. Water it during dry spells and give it a haircut at the end of its blossoming period. This vining plant, also known as dead nettles, can tolerate cold, heat, and drought, and its deer resistant. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. This sweetly-scented perennial spreads easily, so keep it in check by planting it in well-groomed areas like along walkways or close to the house's foundation. Water the seedlings and apply a mulch layer on top of the soil. Though this is considered a flowering ground cover, it's tiny white flowers are quite insignificant. Hardy and deer resistant in USDA Zones 4 through 8, this colonizing fern prefers humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils. MLB legend makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Hiker takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo at Brazos Bend State Park, This is what Houston looks like from space, Oops! 6. One difference, though, is that it is more aggressive. Lamium is an excellent ground cover for shade. And remember that although these ground cover plants are extremely tolerant, they still need to be watered during dry spells for the first year or two until their root systems are well-established. Being creepersand having a tendency to spread, these classic cottage-garden plants are popular flowering ground covers. On the other hand, keeping it in check requires occasionally cutting back the stems, which can actually self-root if they fall off naturally. Care Grow the quick-growing groundcovers in moist, but well-drained soil in partial or full shade. Vinca has few pests, so it can be considered invasive, which is good news if your goal is to keep weeds at bay. It flowers best in full sun. RELATED: Bad Neighbors: 11 Plant Pairs Never to Grow Side by Side. They may be plain green, but they are usually spotted or banded in silver-gray. Wherever its branches make contact with the soil, it will put down roots, creating new plants. Divide this plant in the spring for additional and long-living ground cover that can last for a couple of decades.
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