All You need to know. All you need to grow! Ground Covers
Aegopodium (Bishop's Weed, Snow on the Mountain)
podagraria 'Variegatum'
Prefers partial sun, but will tolerate full sun. Height 8-12". Fast growing ground cover producing attractive green leaves with silver margins. Great for difficult areas. Zone 3.
AJUGA reptans (Bugleweed)
Spreads rapidly. Large shiny leaves in various colors. Flower spikes in spring.
Genevenis
'Pink Beauty'
Full sun to full shade. Height 8". Light pink spikes in June/July. Zone 4.
Reptans
Bronze (var. rubrifolia)
Full sun to full shade. Height 8". Flowers are blue spikes in April/May. Zone 3.
'Burgundy Glow'
Full sun to Part shade. Height 6". Burgundy and white colored leaves. Blue flowers. Zone 3.
'Green'
Full sun to full shade. Height 8". Green leaves. Blue flower spikes. Zone 3.
Alchemilla (Lady's Mantle)
Erythropoda
Sun to full shade. Height 6". Flowers are small, yellowish green star shapes. Blooms May/June.
Zone 3-7.
x Splendor
Full sun to part shade. Height 8-10". Flowers are apple green in color. Blooms May/June. Zone 3.
Anacyclus (Mt. Atlas Daisy)
Depressus
Full sun. Height 4". Beautiful clumps of ferny foliage with unique white daisy flowers. Blooms May/June. Great for rock gardens. Zone 4.
'Garden Gnome'
Full sun. Height 4". Cushions of small white daisies blooming all summer. Zone 4.
Antennaria (Pussy Toes)
Dioca
Full sun. Height 2". Flower is yellow. Very good accent in the garden with its silvery foliage. Blooms April/May. Zone 3.
Arabis (Rock Cress)
A great ground cover having an abundance of blooms in the spring. Excellent in th rock garden of as an edging. Shear after blooming for best appearance.
Alpina
'Snowcap'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6". Flowers are white. Good ground cover. Blooms in May. Zone 5.
Caucasica
'Compinkie'
Full to part sun. Height 8". A profusion of fragrant deep rosy-pinkflowers. Attractive gray-green foliage that grows from center more than other types. Blooms May/June. Zone 3.
'Variegata'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6". Fragrant white flowers. Cream edged leaves. Blooms April-June. Zone 3.
Ferdinandi-coburgi 'Variegata'
Full sun to part sun. Height 4". Wither flowers which bloom in April-June. The green leaves have an outer rim of white. Zone 3.
Armeria (Sea Pinks or Common Thrift)
Clusters of small ball like flowers are complimented by the grassy looking foliage. This combination makes for a showy display. Great for rock gardens and used as a border perennial.
Maritima
Full sun. Height 6". Blooms round balls of rose in May/June. Zone 4.
'Alba'
Full sun. Height 6". Blooms white balls in May/June. Zone 4.
'Bloodstone'
Full sun. Height 8-10". Blooms rose-red balls in May/June. Zone 4.
Arum
Italicum
Shade to part shade. Height 12". Blooms creamy-white flowers in May. This unique plant has arrow shaped leaves, then orange berries in the summer. Usually goes dormant in the summer.
Asarum (Wild Ginger)
Well known for its beautiful green mats. Likes rich, moist soil. Slow growing. Has herbal uses.
Canadense (Canadian Ginger)
Shade. Height 6-12". Green, heart shaped foliage. Flower is purple-brown, which is found under the leaves. Blooms in July. Zone 4.
Europeaum (European Ginger)
Shade. Height 6". Flower is dark red, which is found under the leaves. Heart shaped glossy green leaves. Blooms in July. Zone 4.
Aubrieta (False Rock Cress)
A fine specimen for the border, bed or rock garden where spreading plants are desired. Such a profuse bloomer from April-June that people are asking what it is. Cut back Aubrieta after it flowers to encourage fresh new growth for a better looking plant.
Deltoides
'Grandiflora Mix'
Full to part sun. Height 6". Blooms light blue to red flowers in May. Zone 4.
'Purple Gem'
Full to part sun. Height 6". Blooms velvety purple flowers in May. Zone 4.
'Whitewell Gem'
Full to part sun. Height 6". Deep purple flowers that bloom in May. Zone 4.
Aurinia (Basket of Gold)
Sacatilis
'Compactum'
Full to part sun. Height 8-10". Profuse bright yellow flowers appear in April/ May. Zone 3.
Bellis (English Daisy)
'Pomponette Mix'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6". Blooms April/May. Biennial. Short plant with pink, red, and white pom pom like flowers. Zone 4.
Callirhoe (Wine Cups)
Full to part sun. Height 8". Magenta flowers. Slow growing. Prefers well drained soil. Blooms May/June. Zone 4.
Campanula
Carpatica
'Blue Chips'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6-9". Violet-blue cup shaped flowers. Blooms June-September. Zone 4.
'White Chips'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6-9". Large white, bell shaped flowers. Light green leaves. Blooms June-September. Zone 4.
Garganica
Sun to part sun. Height 6". Clusters of bright lavender-blue flowers. Bright golden green leaves. Protect from hot sun. Zone 5.
Kemulariae
Full sun to part sun. Height 12". Mauve blue flowers bloom May/June. Zone 4.
Portenschlagiana (Muralis)
Full sun to part sun. Height 8". Blue flowers bloom May/June. Zone 5.
Poscharskyana (Serbian Bellflower)
Full sun to part sun. Height 8". Purple flowers bloom in June/July. Zone 4.
'Blauranke'
Full sun to part sun. Height 8". Light lavender-blue flowers bloom June/July. Zone 4.
Rotundifolia
'Olympica' (Bluebell of Scotland )
Full sun to part sun. Height 12". Tiny clusters of lavender-blue bells. Blooms June-September. Zone 4.
Cerastium (Snow in Summer)
Tomntosum
Full to part sun. Height 4-6". This ground cover is highly valued for its woolly gray foliage. A good specimen for accents in the rock garden or edging. A blanket of white flowers which bloom June/July. Zone 3.
Biebersteinii
Full to part sun. Height 14-16". White flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 4.
Cerostigma (Plumbago)
Plumbagnoides
Full shade to part shade. Height 12". Produces small indigo blue flowers. Blooms August /September. The green foliage goes red in fall. Zone 4.
Colchicum (Fall Blooming Crocus
Foliage comes up in the spring and then dies down during the summer. The flowers come up in the fall, without any foliage.
'Cilicicum'
Sun or shade. Height 4-6". Rosy-pink flowers. Blooms September/October.
Convallaria (Lily of the Valley)
All parts of this plant are poisonous especially the red berries.
Majalis (White)
Shade to part shade. Height 10". Fragrant white, bell shaped flowers appear in May-June followed by tiny orange berries. Excellent ground cover for the shade. Zone 2.
'Rosea" (Pink)
Full shade to part shade. Height 10". Small light pink bell shaped flowrs in May. Zone 2.
CORONILLA (Crown Vetch)
Full to part sun. Height 18-24". A fast spreading ground cover for steep banks and hillsides. Great for a mass planting. Extremely vigorous. Fern like foliage. Its rosy-pink flowers appear similar to clover flowers. Blooms in June and continues until frost. Zone 3
Delosperma (Ice Plant)
Cooperii
Full sun. Height 3". Purple flowers. Blooms June-August. Drought tolerant. Zone 6.
'Kelaidis' (Mesa Verde)
Full sun. Height 2-4". Salmon pink flowers bloom spring to fall. Very floriferous. Vigorous, compact plant. Zone 4.
Floribundum
'Starburst'
Full sun. Height 4". 2" pink flowers with white centers. Bloom all summer. Zone 6.
Nubigenum
Full sun to part sun. Height 3". Yellow flowers. Blooms in June. Zone 5.
'John Proffitt'
Full sun. Height 2-4". Lustrous fuchsia flowers bloom most of the growing season. A fast spreading mat of succulent foilage, often tinged purple. Zone 6.
Dianthus
Alpinus
Full sun. Height 2". Pink and white flowers. Bloom May/June. Zone 3.
Deltoides (Maiden Pinks)
'Brilliant'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6". Large ruby-red flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 4.
'Zing Rose'
Full sun to part sun. Height 4". Bright rose flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 4.
Gratianopolitanuss (Cheddar Pinks)
'Spotty'
Full sun. Height 6". Single, rose-red flowers edged and spotted with white. Blooms June/July. Zone 5.
'Tiny Ruby'
Full sun. Height 4". Tiny, double rose-pink flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 5.
Epimedium (Barrenwort)
x Cantabrigiense
Full shade. Height 8-12". Light yellow flowers in May. Zone 5.
x Rubrum
Shade to part shade. Height 8-12". Large red flowers in May. Zone 5.
Erinus (Alpine Balsam)
Alpinus
Shade to part shade. Height 3". A tufted, evergreen plant with rounded green leaves. Masses of starry, lavender-pink, white or red flowers bloom in late spring into early summer. Great for rock gardens. Zone 4.
Erodium Charm (Cranesbill)
Dainty rock garden plant. Flowers on tiny foliage mound.
'Bishop's Form'
Full sun to part sun. Height 3". Large deep pink flowers. Blooms May-September. Zone 6.
Euonymus
A hardy ground cover with dense spreading habits. The foliage turns purple in late fall.
Fortunei
'Colorata' (Purple Leaf Wintercreeper)
Full sun to full shade. Height 12". Evergreen. Foliage turns dusky purple in the fall. Zone 4.
Kewensis' (Wintercreeper)
Full sun to part shade. Height 3". Tiny, evergreen leaves. Zone 4.
Fragaria (Woodland Strawberry)
Wonderful ground cover with delicious edible fruit.Terrific in hanging baskets or trailing over planter walls.
'Lipstick'
Full sun. Height 6". Rose-red flowers. Blooms May-August. Zone 3.
Galium (Sweet Woodruff)
Odoratum
Shade to part shade. Height 4-8". Tiny starry white sprays of flowers. Blooms May/June. Attractive beneath shrubs or in a naturalized area. Unique whorling green leaves. Prefers moist, slightly acidic area. Zone 4.
Gentiana (Gentian)
Dahurica
Full sun to full shade. Height 12". Very deep blue tubular flowers spotted with white. Long, narrow, lanceolate leaves grow on branching stems. Blooms July/August. Zone 5.
Goniolimon (Perennial Statice)
Tataricum (German Statice)
Full sun. Height 12". White flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 4.
Gypsophila (Creeping Baby's Breath)
Repens
'Alba'
Full sun. Height 4-6". Small, single white flowers grow on this spreading plant. Blooms May/June.
Zone 3.
'Rosea'
Full sun. Height 4-6". Small single pink flowers of baby breathe that is a ground cover. Blooms May/June. Zone 3.
Hedera Helix (Ivy)
Baltic
Full shade to part shade. Height 12". Evergreen foliage. Zone 5
Eglish Ivy
Full shade to part shade. Beautiful trailing ground cover. Evergreen foliage. Zone 5.
Silverdust
Full shade to part shade. Height 12". The green leaves have a creamy white edge. Hardier than most variegated ivy. Zone 5.
Thorndale
Full shade to part shade. Height 12". Forest green leaves have creamy white veins. Zone 5.
Boston Ivy
See "Parthenocissus Tricuspidata"
Helianthemum (Sun Rose)
Sun to part sun. Great for rock gardens, groundcovers, and wild areas. They are drought-loving, have a very long bloom period, and fill in fairly rapidly. The cover a wide range of colors and generally bloom from May through July. Zone 4.
Herniaria (Rupture Wort)
glabra
Full sun to part shade. Height 1". Known to be nearly indestructible, this is an excellent choice for growing between flagstones. The teeny tiny leaves create a dark green mat. Zone 5.
Houttuynia (Chameleon Plant)
Cordata
'Chameleon'
Sull to part sun. Height 6-10". Heart shaped leaves. Very striking foliage. A splash of yellow, green, cream, bronze and scarlet red. Vigorous growing, spreading by underground stems. Insignificant white flowers in August. Tolerates dry soil, but will spread rapidly in wet soil or in a shallow pond. Zone 5.
Hypericum (St. John's Wort)
calycinum
Full sun to part sun. Height 12". Bright yellow flowers. Blooms July/August. Zone 5
Iberis (Candytuft)
Sun to part shade. Height 8-10". One of the most popular dwarf garden plants. White flowers early in the spring. Narrow evergreen leaves. Excellent in the rock garden, edging in the perennial border or as a ground cover. Blooms in April and May. Zone 3.
Lamiastrum (False Lamium, Yellow Archangel)
A fast spreading ground cover that does well in dry or moist soil. Has 2" long green leaves with silver variegation. Yellow flowers in the early spring. Great for hanging baskets or ground cover.
Galeobdolon
'Herman's Pride'
Part sun to full shade. Height 8-10". Pointed green leaves heavily veined with metallic silver. Yellow flowers in the spring form a neat mound. Well behaved. Zone 3.
'Variegatum'
Part sun to full shade. Height 8-12". Green and white striped foliage. Runners will root in the soil. Great for hard ares to cover. Yellow flowers in May. Zone 3.
Lamium (Spotted Dead Nettle, False Salvia)
Maculatum
'Aureum'
Part shade. Height 4-8". Bright golden yellow foliage with white variegation along the midrib. Purplish pink flowers bloom in late spring. Zone 4.
'Beacon Silver'
Full sun to shade. Height 8". Metallic silver-white leaves and green margins. Rose-pink flowers. Dormancy breaks early in spring and foliage lasts until very late fall. Not as invasive as other forms. Blooms May/June. Zone 3.
'Orchid Frost'
Full sun to shade. Height 4-6". Leaves have shimmering silvery centers and scalloped blue green margins. Showy and heavy blooming with orchid-pink flowers. Resistant to foliar diseases. Zone 3.
'Red Nancy'
Full sun to shade. Height 8". Metallic silver leaves. Purple-red flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 3.
'Shell Pink'
Full sun to shade. Height 8". Metallic silver leaves. Soft pink flowers. Bloom May-June. Zone 3.
'White Nancy'
Full sun to shade. Height 8". Metallic silver leaves. White flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 3.
Laurentia (Blue Star Creeper)
fluviatillis
Full sun. Height 2". Carpet of small green leaves with light blue star like flowers. Blooms May-September. Great in-between rocks for pathways. Will withstand light traffic flow. Zone 6
Leontopodium (Alpine Edelweiss)
'Alpinus'
Full sun. Height 4-6". White star-like flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 4.
Leptinella (New Zealand Brass Buttons)
squalida
Part shade. Height 1-2". Evergreen creeper with foliage that is soft and hairy, almost fern like. Grey green in color, tinged with bronze in the fall. Small yellow buttons flower in the summer. Zone 5.
Lewisia
This plant lives in dry locations. Well drained locations. Has unique flowers for a succulent plant.
cotyledon
'Rainbow Hybrids'
Full sun to part shade. Height 6-10". Appearance of Sempervivum with a green rosette. Flowers orange, pink, rose, white and combinations of these colors. Blooms May/June. Zone 5.
Lysimachia (Creeping Jenny)
Nummularia
Full shade to part sun. Height 2-4". Low growing trailing perennial producing bright yellow flowers May-August. Foliage is bright green and penny shaped. Attractive addition to containers. Zone 4.
'Aurea' (Golden Creeping Jenny)
Part sun. Height 1-2". Chartreuse foliage. It needs sun to retain its golden glow. Zone 4.
Mentha
Mint
Requienii (Corsican Mint)
Part to full shade. Height 1". Tiny green leaves give off a minty fragrance when brushed against. Minute lavender flowers bloom in the summer. Tolerates mild foot traffic. Prefers moist soil. Zone 6.
Muehlenbeckis (Wire Vine)
axillaris 'Nana'
Full sun to part shade. Height 2-4". Drought and wind tolerant. Doesn't mind poor soil, but prefres well-drained. Glossy dark green leaves on a wiry stem. Transparent white fruit and black seeds. Zone 4.
Myosotis (Forget-me-not)
sylvatica
'Victoria Indigo Blue'
Part shade. Height 8". Intense, deep blue flowers. Compact habit, suitable for borders. Blooms May-June. Zone 5.
'Victoria Rose'
Part shade. Height 8". Rose flowers. Compact habit, suitable for borders. Blooms May-June. Zone 5.
Oenothera (Evening Primrose)
Missouriensis
Full sun. Height 12". Large brilliant yellow flowers. Drought tolerant plants. Blooms June/July. Zone 5.
Speciosa
'Siskiyou'
Full sun. Height 8-12". Large light pink flowers.Drought tolerant plants. Blooms June-September. Zone 5.
Origanum (Dwarf Oregano)
Also see "Oregano" on the Herb page.
Vulgare
'Compactum'
Full sun. Height 6-8". Tiny lavender flowers. The oval green aromatic leaves are edible. Blooms in July. Zone 4.
Pachysandra (Japanese Spurge)
Terminalis
'Silver Edge'
Full shade to part shade. Height 12". White Flowers. Thin silver-white margins on evergreen plants. Blooms May/June. Zone 4.
'Green Carpet'
Full shade to part shade. Height 12". White flowers appear in May. Spreading ground cover has evergreen leaves. Zone 4.
Parthenocissus
quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)
Sun to part sun. Can grow to 60'. Big, vigorous vine that clings or runs over ground, fences, trellis. Leaves divide into five separate 6" leaflets with saw-toothed edges. Superb and dependable fall leaf color. Zone 3.
Tricuspidata (Boston Ivy)
Sun to part sun. Can grow up to 60'. One of the best vines for clinging to stone work and side of buildings. Robust grower with shiny green leaves. Leaves are about 4" when fully mature. Foliage turns bright red in the fall. Zone 3.
Phlox
Creeping phlox is an evergreen ground cover which produces messes of small flowers in early spring. Foliage is green, needle-like. Best if pruned back right after blooming.
Douglasii
'Crackerjack'
Full to partial sun. Height 2-4". Large intense carmine-red flowers. Blooms April/May. Zone 3.
'Rose Cushion'
Partial shade. Height 8". Rose pink flowers bloom late March-April. Zone 3.
Subulata
These low growing mounds are covered with small flowers in the spring. Good plant for hillside or rock garden planting. Grow in sunny well drained area.
'Autorpurpurea'
Full sun to part shade. Height 6". Rose red flowers. Blooms April/May. Zone 3.
'Candy Stripe'
Full sun to part shade. Height 6". White and rose-pink striped flowers with a crimson eye. Blooms April/May. Zone 3.
'Emerald Blue'
Full sun to part shade. Height 6". Pale lilac-blue flowers. Blooms April/May. Zone 3.
'Emerald Pink'
Full sun to part shade. Height 6". Compact growth with pink flowers. Blooms April/May. Zone 3.
'Red Wing'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6". Striking crimson flowers with dark red eyes. Blooms April/May. Zone 3.
'Santa Fe'
Full sun to part sun. Height 2-3". A dense mound of fragrant pink flowers in early spring.Zone 3.
'Var. Subulata'
Full sun to part shade. Height 6". White, pink, blue, and red flowers. Blooms April/May. Zone 3.
'White Delight'
Full sun to part shade. Height 6". Large pure white flowers. Blooms April/May. Zone 3.
Pontentilla (Cinquefoil)
Has lush green strawberry like foliage. It forms a mat with trailing stems. Flowers from April to mid May.
verna
'Nana'
Full sun to part sun. Height 4". Single yellow flowers. Blooms April-June. Zone 2.
Pratia
angulata
Full sun to part shade. Height 1". Tiny round foliage with small white flowers in early summer. Great for rock gardens. Tolerant of moist soil, traffic and mowing. Hardy to zero degrees.
pedunculata
'County Park'
Full sun to part sun. Height 2-3". A low growing mat that spreads well. Deep blue flowers throughout summer. Tolerates mowing and traffic. Can be invasive. Hardy to zero degrees.
Primula (Primrose)
polyantha
Pacific Giants
Full shade to part shade. Height 12". Vibrant mix of colors on 6 inch flower stems. Blooms April/May. Zone 5.
Mix
Full shade to part shade Height 10". Bicolor mix of flowers. Blooms April/May. Zone 5.
Prunella (Self Healing Plant)
grandiflora
'Blue Loveliness'
Full shade to part sun. Height 8-12". Lavender-violet flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 5.
'Pink Loveliness'
Full shade to part sun. Height 8-12". Bright pink flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 5.
Ranunculus (Creeping Buttercup)
repens
Full sun to full shade. Height 12". Yellow flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 5.
Raoulia
australis
Part sun. Height 1-2". Silver-white foliage. Great for rock gardens. Inconspicuous flowers. Needs to stay dry. Zone 4.
Rubus
calycinoides
Full sun to full shade. Height 4". Creamy white flowers. Blooms July/August. A delightful plant growing over rocks. Zone 5.
Sagina (Pearl Wort)
Makes dense compact moss. Control humping by occasionally cutting out strips. Takes small amounts of traffic.
subulata (Irish Moss)
Full shade to part sun. Height 2". Dark green foliage. White flowers that bloom in May. Zone 4.
'Aurea' (Scotch Moss)
Full shade to part sun. Height 2". Golden green foliage. White flowers. Blooms in May. Temple Square grounds people say that Scotch Moss takes more sun than the Irish Moss. Zone 4.
Saponaria (Soapwort)
ocymoides
Full sun. Height 10". Bright pink flowers. Blooms in May. Great for rock gardens or as ground cover.
Zone 4.
Saxifraga (Mossy Saxifrages)
arendsii
'Purple Robe'
Part sun. Height 4-8". Spreading mounds. Mossy, evergreen foliage. Tiny flowers in the shades of crimson. Blooms April-June. Zone 4.
urbium
'Aurea Punctata'
Part sun to shade. Height 12". Succulent green leaves brilliantly splashed with gold. Airy and delicate white flowers on wiry burgundy stems in late spring. Zone 6.
Sedum (Stonecrops)
Most sedum varieties are ground covers that perform best in dry soils and full sun. All have fleshy leaves and produce unusual flowers.
Acre Aurea (Golden Acre)
Full sun to part sun. Height 3". Tiny light green leaves with clusters of yellow flowers in mid-late spring. Zone 3.
Baby Tears
Full sun to part sun. Height 2-3". Mid-green leaves have a shape reminiscent of teardrops. Dainty sprays of white flowers that obscure the foliage in late June. Zone 4.
Bronze Carpet
Full sun to part sun. Height 3-4". Bronze foliage. Brilliant red flowers. Blooms June-August. Zone 3.
Kamschaticum
Full sun to part sun. Height 6". Yellow flowers. Blooms June/July. Pale green leaves tinged with white and pink. Zone 4.
'Variegatum'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6". Creamy edged green leaves. Yellow flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 4.
Reflexus (Blue Spruce)
Full sun to part sun. Height 8". Blue-green spruce-like foliage. Yellow flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 4.
Sieboldii
Full sun to part sun. Height 6-8". Pink flowers.Blooms September/October. Zone 3.
'October Daphne'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6-8". Blue-green foliage with creamy-yellow blotches in the center of the leaves. Rose-pink flowers. Blooms in August. Zone 3.
Spurium
'Dragon's Blood'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6". Creeping mat. Ruby-red flowers. Leaves turn beet-red in the colder months. Blooms June/July. Zone 3.
'Tricolor'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6". Green, red and cream colored leaves. Pink flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 3.
Stoloniferium
Full sun to part sun. Height 3-4". Fine evergreen creeper. Has pink flowers in June. Zone 3.
x 'Vera Jameson'
Full sun to part sun. Height 9-12". Mahogany-red foliage. Dusty pink flowers. Blooms August/September. Zone 2.
Sempervivum (Hen's and Chick's)
Species and Hybrids
Full sun to part sun. Height 2-6". Red, blue, green and gray rosettes. Yellow, pink and white flowers on different plants. Large and small rosettes. The cobweb varieties have a cotton like layer in the rosette. Good for rock gardens. Zone 1.
Silene (Campion, Deep Rose Silene)
Schafta
Full sun. Height 4-6". Trailing rock garden plant. Rosy-magenta flowers. Blooms August/September. Zone 4.
Stachys (Lamb's Ear)
Byzantina
Full sun. Height 12". Soft woolly silver-gray foliage with the texture and shape of a lamb's ear. Rose flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 4.
Thymus (Thyme)
Creeping thyme or mother of thyme rapidly spreading evergreen herb widely used as ground cover or in the rock garden. Produces small aromatic leaves and long trailing stems that root as they spread.
citriodorus (Lemon Thyme)
See also "Thyme" on the Herb page.
'Dooney Vallley'
Full to part sun. Height 4-6". Dark green foliage with bright gold tips. Bronze winter color. Lavender flowers. Blooms July/August. Zone 4.
'E. B. Anderson'
Full to part sun. Height 2". Good golden color. More green color in the summer. Mauve flowrs. Blooms July/August. Zone 4.
'Gold Edge'
Full to part sun. Height 10". Green and yellow variegated foliage. Pink flowers in the summer. Blooms July/August. Strong lemon fragrance. Zone 4.
Praecox (Creeping Thyme)
'Albus'
Full sun. Height 1-2". White flowers. Blooms June/July. Mats of emerald green folaige. Zone 5.
'Coccineus' (Red Creeping Thyme)
Full sun. Height 1-2". Deep scarlet-purple flowers with very small dark green leaves. Zone 3.
'Elfin'
Full sun. Height 1-2". Great for rock gardens. Low dense mat of tiny leaves. Soft pink flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 4.
'Minus' (Red Creeping Thyme
Full sun. Height 1-2". Lavender-mauve flowers. Blooms most of the summer. Zone 4.
'Purple Carpet'
Full sun. Height 1-2". Light mauve-purple flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 3.
pseudolanuginosus (Woolly Thyme)
Full sun. Height 2". Fussy olive-gray leaves. Pink flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 4.
serphyllum (Mother of Thyme)
Full sun. Height 6-8". Low ground cover. Good for small areas or fill ins. Rose-purple flowers. Blooms June/July. Zone 4.
Veronica (Speedwell)
Creeping speedwell is a low growing mat producing clusters of small white flowers during spring months. Foliage is shiny green.
alpina
'Goodness Grows'
Full sun to part sun. Height 10". Blue flowers in late spring. Blooms May/June. Zone 3.
incana
Woolly speedwell. Blue flowers. Height 10-12". Silvery leafs good for rock gardens. Zone 4.
pectinata (Woolly Speedwell)
Full sun to part sun. Height 3". Deep blue flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 5.
peducularis
'Georgia Blue'
Full sun to part sun. Height 6". True blue flowers with a white eye. Blooms in early spring and repeats bloom in late summer. Zone 6.
prostrata
'Heavenly Blue'
Full sun to part sun. Height 3". Sapphire-blue flowers. Blooms in May. Zone 3
repens
Full shade to part shade. Height 2". Blue flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 5.
'Alba'
Full sun to part shade. Height 2". White flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 5.
wormskjoldii
Full to part sun. Height 6". Dark blue flowers in June/July. Zone 5.
Vinca (Periwinkle, Myrtle)
Popular ground covers with evergreen foliage and woody stems producing flowers in late spring. Vinca major is widely used in containers.
minor
Full sun to full shade. Height 12". Deep blue flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 3.
'Bowles'
Full sun to full shade. Height 12". Deep blue flowers. Larger foliage that tends to mound instead of creep or trail. Blooms May/June. Zone 4.
'Burgundy'
Full sun to full shade. Height 12". Wine-purple flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 4.
'Illumination'
Full sun to full shade. Height 4-6". Blue flowers booom in the spring. Variegated foliage that is gold in the center and green on the edge. Zone 4.
'Miss Jekyll'
Full sun to full shade. Height 12". White flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 4.
'Sterling Silver'
Full sun to full shade. Height 12". Blue flowers. Leaves have a creamy white edge and green interior. Zone 4.
major
Full sun to full shade. Height 18". Deep blue flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 5.
'Variegata'
Full sun to full shade. Height 18". Green leaves with white cream edges. Deep blue flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 5
Viola (Sweet Violet)
Heart shaped leaves fragrant flowers. Does best in moist locations. Blooms April-May.
cornuta
'Black Magic'
Full sun to full shade. Height 8-10". Black flowers with yellow eyes. Blooms April/May. Zone 5.
cucullata
'Freckles'
Full sun to full shade. Height 6-8". Pale blue flowers with small purple freckles. Blooms April/May.
Zone 4.
'Royal Robe'
Full sun to full shade. Height 6-8". Dark violet-blue flowers. Blooms April/May. Zone 4.
'White Czar'
Full sun to full shade. Height 6-8". Large white flowers. Blooms April/May. Zone 4.
labradorica
Full sun to part shade. Height 4". Mauve-lavender flowers. Dark green foliage with a purple tint. Blooms April/May. Zone 3.
odorata
'Rosina'
Full sun to part shade. Height 4-6". Pink flowers with a pale pink edge. Blooms early spring. Zone 4.
Viscaria
alpina
Full sun to part shade. Height 4". Single saucer shaped 1" flowers cover foot tall plants in summer. Good cut flowers. Pink flower. Zone 3.
Waldsteinia (Barren-Strawberry)
fragariodes
Full sun to full shade. Height 6". An easy to grow slow spreading ground cover that is adaptable to a wide variety of soils. Strawberry like foliage. Yellow flowers. Blooms May/June. Zone 3.