GROUNDCOVERS
Ajuga \ Carpet Bugleweed
With tight, striking clumps of foliage, these low-growing perennial groundcovers are excellent for shady, difficult growing areas. Best in part shade with moist, well-drained soil. Zones 3-9
A. pyramidalis ‘Metallica Crispa’
The crisp leaves have a metallic brownish-green to purple luster and are joined by 6-8” blue flower spikes in the spring.
A. reptans ‘Bronze’
Fast growing perennial groundcover with deep bronze-purple foliage and blue flower spikes Don’t over water in winter. Grows 3-4” tall.
A. reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’
Variegated green, white and burgundy leaves with lilac flower spikes in early spring. Mature height is 3-4”.
A. reptans 'Catlin's Giant'
The outstanding feature of this ajuga is the extra large foliage forming a plant of bronze-green rosettes up to 4" tall. Early spring flowers of bluish-purple whorls, tower 8" over the beautiful foliage for a stunning groundcover. Rapid spreader to 2-3'. Zone 5.
A. x tenorii ‘Chocolate Chip’
Dwarf herbaceous groundcover with moderate growth of 2-3” tall and 2-3” wide. The chocolate-brown foliage is topped off with lacy-blue flower spikes in spring.
Calyptocarpus vialis \ Horseherb
(kah-lip-toh-KAR-pus vye-AL-iss)
µTexas Nativeµ Low spreading, 8x18” groundcover with scattered, yellow incidental flowers forming a dense mat. Blooms March to October, in shade or part shade. Requires little water, well-drained soil, and can be mowed. Zone 7.
Euonymus
E. alatus ‘Compactus’ \ Dwarf Burning Bush
A deciduous shrub, forming a dense, rounded mound. Has small, corky “wings” on the stems. Outstanding feature is the blinding red leaves in the autumn. Grows at least 4-6’ tall in average soil. Full sun. Zone 3.
E. americana \ Strawberry Bush
µTexas Nativeµ Flowers appear in late spring on this 6’ shrub. Red fruit develops in the fall, then splits open revealing seeds, thus giving the appearance of strawberries. Dark green leaves are persistent. Prefers rich, moist soil. Zone 6.
E. fortunei ‘Coloratus’ \ Purple Wintercreeper
Trailing evergreen groundcover. Foliage turns purple with cold weather. Low maintenance. Excellent for erosion control, will tolerate any well-drained soil. Full sun. Zone 5.
E. fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' \ Wintercreeper
Evergreen, with leathery, lustrous, oval leaves 1-2" long. Green and white variegated climber. Margins become pink-tinged in winter. Not particular as to soil. Full sun, part shade. Moderate watering. Zones 5-9.
E. fortunei ‘Kewensis’ \ Kew Wintercreeper
Evergreen trailing groundcover with tiny leaves. Forms a low growing mat and is a good choice for small areas. Reaches a height of 3-4”. Zones 5-8.
E. kiautschovicus ‘Manhattan’
Glossy, dark green leaves on this medium sized, upright growing evergreen. Height to 6’. Sun or part shade. Zone 5.
E. sachalinensis
Green leaves turn to a great red in fall at about the same time scarlet red fruit are produced on this deciduous shrub. Grows 8-12' tall and about 8' wide. Prefers well-drained soil, full sun, and part shade. Zone 5.
Fragaria ‘Lipstick’ \ Flowering Strawberry
Bright green foliage reaches 6-8" tall with a 15" spread. Rich, single, deep rose flowers bloom spring to fall. Edible fruit is tart and small. Average garden soil in full sun to part shade. Zone 3.
Glechoma hederacea \ Ground Ivy
Fast-growing, creeping groundcover that prefers moist soil. Round to kidney shaped leaves to 1Ľ” across. Small blue trumpet-shaped flowers in spring and summer, but not showy. Grows 3” tall. Zone 3
Hedera helix \ English Ivy
Evergreen, heavily veined, 2-3" dark green leaves. Mature height 12-15". Excellent for shady areas with well-drained soil. Cascades beautifully down slopes or walls. Zone 5.
Hedera helix ‘California’ \ California English Ivy
Evergreen groundcover with vine-like growing tendencies. The green, five-lobed leaves are similar to regular English Ivy. Best grown in well-drained soil and shade to partial shade. Zones 3-10.
Herniaria glabra \ Rupture-Wort
Tiny leaved, evergreen groundcover grows 2-3" tall. Beautiful bronze winter color. Zone 5.
Lindernia grandiflora \ Blue Moneywort
Blue Moneywort grows like regular moneywort with small heart-shaped leaves, creeping 1” tall along the ground. Tiny blue flowers occur from spring through summer. Sun to light shade. Zone 7.
Liriope \ Lily Turf
L. gigantea \ Giant Liriope
Grows to 3’, and spreads by runners. Forms large clumps. Blue flower spikes followed by metallic-blue fruit. Shade to part shade. Zone 6.
L. muscari ‘Big Blue’
Similar to L. muscari with a wider leaf and larger flowers. Mature height 12-15”. Large blue berries in the fall. Partial shade to full sun. Zone 6.
L. muscari ‘Monroe White’
Evergreen perennial groundcover, 12-18” in height, with tufted appearance and white flower spikes. Prefers shade to partial shade. Zone 6.
L. muscari ‘Royal Purple’
Deep green 3/8-1/4” wide leaf blade. Deep purple flower spikes. Best blooming liriope, lasts longer than other varieties. Mature height 12-15”. Zone 6.
L. muscari ‘Silvery Sunproof’
This evergreen 15-18” ground cover has yellow-fading-to-white striped dark green foliage with soft lavender flower spikes in the summer. Flowers are held above the clumping foliage. Prefers partial shade. Zone 6.
L. muscari ‘Webster’s Wideleaf’
Nice wide 3/8-3/4” leaf blade. Lavender flower spikes, growing to 15” tall. Full sun to part shade. Zone 7.
L. spicata
Narrow, grass-like groundcover with mauve to nearly white flowers. More distinctly tubular than muscari. Spreads by underground rhizomes. Mature height 12-15”. Zone 5.
L. spicata ‘Silver Dragon’
Narrow, silvery-white striped blade on this grass-like groundcover. A distinct variegated foliage. Lavender flower spikes. Mature height 12-15”. Zone 7.
Lonicera \ Honeysuckle
(lon-ISS-er-ah)
Grow in full sun or light shade. Most need average summer water once established. Vines are valued for their fragrant tubular flowers and are great hummingbird attractors.
L. japonica ‘Halliana’ \ Hall’s Honeysuckle
Semi-evergreen 1Ľ-3” leaves. Fast growing vine. Will attach itself to any surface. Fragrant white blooms turn yellow at maturity. Mature height 1-2’. Drought and salt tolerant. Adapts to a wide range of soil conditions. Prune back heavy in spring. Zone 4-9.
L. japonica ‘Purpurea’ \ Purple Honeysuckle
Fast growing evergreen vine. Underside of leaves and flowers are purple. Good for erosion control. Fragrant flowers. Zone 4.
Lysimachia nummularia \ Green Moneywort
Evergreen creeping plant with long runners that root at nodes. Pretty light green mat of roundish leaves. Summer blooms of small yellow flowers. Requires moisture and shade. Zone 5.
Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ \ Gold Moneywort
Similar to Green Moneywort but with a gold colored foliage.
Lysimachia procumbens \ Golden Globes
Low-growing, mat-forming perennial growing 4" tall with a 12" spread. Flowers are yellow, upturned and cup-shaped. Likes sun or partial shade, well-drained soil. Will withstand damp or moist soils, but not areas with standing water. Zones 6-9.
Ophiopogon \ Mondo Grass
O. intermedius 'Argenteomarginatus' \ Aztec Grass
Evergreen, narrow, grass-like leaves have silvery-white variegation on this 18-24" tall plant. White flower spikes in summer. Most any soil. Full to part sun. Zone 8.
O. japonicus \ Mondo Grass or Monkey Grass
Evergreen perennial 6-8” tall. Leaves are dark green, 1/8” wide. Short lilac flower spikes hidden by foliage. Spreads by underground stolons. Zone 6.
O. japonicus ‘Kijimafukiduma’ \ Variegated Mondo
Evergreen perennial to 12” tall. Green and white variegated foliage. Spreads by runners. Don’t over fertilize, will lose the variegation. Partial to full shade. Zone 7.
O. japonicus ‘Nana’ \ Dwarf Mondo
Similar to O. japonicus only shorter. Mature height 2-3”. Spreads slower.
O. planiscapus ‘Niger’ \ Black Mondo
Lavender-pink flowers in summer amid dark green, nearly black Ľ” wide leaf blades. Mature height is 6-8” on this slow spreading plant. Effect would be dramatic used as an edging. Does best in shade. Zone 7.
Pachysandra terminalis \ Japanese Spurge
Evergreen, veined, 1Ľ-4” oval leaves, lightly toothed at ends. Small white flowers appear in spring and early summer. Mature height 8-10”. Prefers well-drained, organically rich loam and shade. Zone 4.
Phyla nodiflora \ Frog Fruit
µTexas Nativeµ Low-growing groundcover. Tiny dwarf verbena-like flowers with heads up to ˝” across. Grows in any well-drained soil, or will tolerate seasonal poor drainage. Performs well in full sun, part sun or shade. Will bloom from spring to fall. Evergreen to dormant in winter. Will tolerate moderate amounts of foot traffic. Mowing not recommended. Zone 6.
Potentilla neumanniana \ Cinquefoil
Dainty bright green, five leaflets, tufted creeper 2-6” high. Butter yellow flowers Ľ” wide. Fast growing groundcover. Sun or shade. Average, medium wet, well-drained soils. Zone 5.
Prunella grandiflora 'Loveliness' \ Self-heal
Member of the mint family, with medium green foliage. Pale lavender flowers are on terminal spikes of whorled flowers bloomin spring and summer. Short upright plant growing to 1' tall and as wide. Prefers consistently moist soil, full sun to partial shade. Zones 5-8.
Rivina humilis \ Pigeon Berry
µTexas Nativeµ This native groundcover is becoming popular for its pink and white flowers that bloom from spring to fall. The plant also produces red berries that are loved by birds. Usually grows 1-2’ tall. Soil type is not critical, but does prefer calcareous, moist, well-drained soil. Needs full to part shade. Zone 7.
Stemodia tomentosa \ Woolly Stemodia
µTexas Nativeµ Native groundcover with silver, fuzzy foliage and small lavender-blue flowers that bloom all summer. Most any soil, good drainage a MUST! Grows 6” tall with a 3’ spread. Zone 8.
Trachelospermum
(tray kell loe SPUR mum)
The asiaticums are considered dwarf jasmines with a groundcover vining habit. Evergreen foliage. Non-flowering. Will grow in alkaline, clay, sand, acidic or loam soils in part shade/part sun. Does best with rich soil and ample moisture. Zone 7.
The jasminoides have same cultural traits as asiaticums, but have more of a climbing nature..Evergreen. Flowering. Zone 7.
T. asiaticum \ Asian Jasmine, Japanese Star Jasmine
Dark green 1-2” leaves. Mature height is 6-24”. Prune in spring to maintain best appearance.
T. asiaticum ‘Bronze Beauty’
Heavily veined in cream and white veins with bronze colored leaves. Possibly hardier than species.
T. asiaticum ‘Nana’
Leaves are only 1/4" wide. Mature height is 2".
T. asiaticum ‘Variegatum’
Green-yellowish-white, 1-2” leaves turning burgundy in fall.
T. jasminoides ‘Madison’ \ Confederate Jasmine
Hardier form of Confederate jasmine that blooms fragrant, showy-white, star-shaped flowers on a 10-15’ vine.
T. jasminoides ‘Mandianum’ \ Mandy Jasmine
Another hardy form of Confederate Jasmine that blooms fragrant, light creamy yellow, star-shaped flowers. Grows 10-15’ long.
Vinca major \ Periwinkle
Evergreen trailing vine. Lilac-blue flowers add soft color in early spring. Mature height is 8-18”. Spreads quickly after established. Prefers regular watering and well-drained fertile loamy soil. Shade. Zone 5.
Vinca major ‘Variegata’ \ Periwinkle
Dark green, white-margined leaves. Lilac-blue, ˝” blooms in early spring. Beautiful when planted in flower pots. Prefers shade. Zone 4.
Vinca minor ‘Bowles’ \ Periwinkle
Rapid spreader reaching 6” in height. Small leaves and deep blue blooms in spring. Needs partial sun and well-drained soil. Zone 4.
