If you’re looking for an attractive perennial groundcover to quickly fill in small or large patches in your garden, you can’t go wrong with ajuga (Ajuga reptans), also called as carpet bugleweed. This creeping evergreen plant spreads quickly and thickly. Plant it on moderate slopes for erosion control. A vigorous clump should smother out weeds […]
Archive for the ‘Ground cover’ Category
Growing Ajuga
Posted by Hugh on May 12th, 2025
Posted in Bees and other pollinators, Bugleweed (Ajuga), Evergreen, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, Light requirement, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, rabbit damage, Shade Gardening, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness 
No Comments »Hardy Begonias
Posted by Hugh on May 8th, 2025
Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Southern China, Japan, and Malaysia. It is a member of the Begonia (Begoniaceae) family (USDA hardiness zones 6-9). From summer into early fall, hardy begonia displays loose arching clusters of bright pink fragrant blooms. It is monoecious, e.g. both male and female flowers are […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting birds, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Begonia, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Hardy begonia (B. grandis), Hummingbird, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Powdery mildew, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection No Comments »Mayapples
Posted by Hugh on April 27th, 2025
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower that forms dense mats. It is an early spring riser in the shade garden (USDA hardiness zones 3-8). Mayapples are exceptionally hardy woodland plants found in most of eastern North America and as far south as the State of Texas. They’re typically found in colonies in open woodlands, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, Deciduous, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Mayapple (Podophyllum), mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on MayapplesEarth Stars (Cryptanthus)
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2025
Cryptanthus bromeliads are more commonly known as “Earth Stars” and “Starfish plant”, a name they received because of the shape of their foliage. These mostly tropical plants are found in humid forested areas. Over 1,200 different varieties are cataloged worldwide and make great terrarium plants. Many flaunt beautiful foliage ranging from dark green, bright reds, […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bromeliads, Container garden, Cryptanthus, Fertilizing plants, Ground cover, Humidity, Interior (house) Plants, Landscape ideas, Non-native, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Earth Stars (Cryptanthus)Other Wild Gingers For Your Landscape
Posted by Hugh on January 13th, 2025
Although wild gingers, Asarum and Hexastylis species, can be found the world over, most are indigenous to the shaded woodlands of Asia, Europe, and North America. Wild gingers are members of the Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort family). Several species of Hexastylis and Asarum grow exceptionally well in the Southern Appalachian region (Zones 5b-7b). New varieties continue the marketplace. Wild gingers are frequently planted as […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Container garden, Deciduous, Evergreen, Fragrant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Snails, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wild ginger, winter hardiness Comments Off on Other Wild Gingers For Your LandscapeWild Ginger
Posted by Hugh on January 6th, 2025
Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a U.S. native spring wildflower which grows in rich garden and woodland soils. Wild ginger is a stemless 4-8-inch-tall plant (8 -10 inches wide) which features distinctive downy, basal, dark green foliage. Leaves are heart-shaped to kidney-shaped, and delicately veined, and up to 6 inches wide. Cup-shaped, purplish brown, 3 […]
Posted in acidic soil, Bees and other pollinators, compost, Deciduous, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Slugs, Slugs, Snails, Soil drainage, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, Wild ginger, winter hardiness Comments Off on Wild GingerChristmas Rose
Posted by Hugh on December 22nd, 2024
Christmas roses (Helleborus niger), aka Christmas roses, are early winter flowering lenten roses. They bloom around Christmas time if winter temps are generally still mild. Based on the severity of winter temps, start of bloom date will vary considerably between H. niger and the more popular Helleborus x hybridus (H. x orientalis). (USDA hardiness zones […]
Posted in acidic soil, alkaline soil, Aphids, Autumn flowering, Bees and other pollinators, Christmas rose (H. niger), Cold tolerance, Container garden, Drought tolerant, Evergreen, Flower arrangments, Fruits poisonous, Ground cover, Honey bees, Landscape ideas, Leaf/needle spots, Lenten rose (Hellebore), Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, root injury, Shade Gardening, Slugs, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Wind protection, Winter flowering, winter hardiness Comments Off on Christmas RoseRussian arborvitae (Microbiota)
Posted by Hugh on December 1st, 2024
Russian arborvitae, aka Siberian cypress (Microbiota decussata), is a conifer ground cover that originates from frigid Siberia; it is exceptionally cold hardy to -40° F (USDA hardiness zones 2-7). Microbiota prospers in the cooler parts of the Mid-South (Kentucky, East Tennessee, Virginia, and Western North Carolina). Growth rate is slow to medium. This amazing groundcover shows […]
Posted in acidic soil, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Microbiota, Non-native, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Russian arborvitae (Microbiota)Native Sedum (Three-leaved Stonecrop)
Posted by Hugh on November 2nd, 2024
Three leaved Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), aka mountain stonecrop, whorled stonecrop), is a small, spreading, Eastern U.S. perennial (USDA hardiness zone 4 to 8). In its natural habitat, this native sedum is found in damp sites along stream banks, bluff bases and stony ledges. Stonecrops are in the Crassulaceae family. Mountain stonecrop grows 2-6 inches high […]
Posted in acidic soil, Attracting Butterflies, Bees and other pollinators, Botrytis disease, Container garden, Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ground cover, Landscape ideas, Native Plant, Native Plant, Perennials, Planting tips, Propagation (Cuttings), Propagation (dividing), Purchasing Plants, Sedum, Sedum (Groundcover types), Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Stonecrops (Sedum), winter hardiness Comments Off on Native Sedum (Three-leaved Stonecrop)Hosta Garden Companions
Posted by Hugh on August 7th, 2024
Consider planting a colorful array of low shrubs, perennials, annuals, ground covers and spring bulbs with hostas. Additions must prefer partial sun to shade and moderate moist soil. Choose varieties with brightly colored foliage, structure, size, texture and color for contrast. Avoid aggressive vegetative companions. Hosta companions can include anemone, assorted ferns, astilbe, lenten roses (Helleborus), […]
Posted in acidic soil, Aralia 'Sun King', Astilbe (false spirea), Autumn fern (Dryopteris), Barrenwort (Epimedium), Bees and other pollinators, Bergenia (pigsqueak), Brunnera 'Jack Frost', Bugleweed (Ajuga), Butterflies, Carex (Sedges), Cranesbill (Geranium), Dead nettle (Lamium), Deciduous, Disease resistant, Ferns, Ground cover, Hakone grass, Heuchera (coralbells), Hosta, Landscape ideas, mulching, Native Plant, Non-native, Perennials, Pulmonaria, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Solomon's seal, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Uvularia (bellwort), watering tips, winter hardiness, Woodland phlox Comments Off on Hosta Garden Companions
