Ivydene Gardens Plants:
Groundcover List below 24 inches (60 cms) in Height

The plants normally selected by most landscapers and designers are by nature low-growing, rampant, spreading, creep-crawly things and yet the concept of ground cover demands no such thing. The ideal description of a groundcover plant includes:-

• a bold dense mass of leaves completely covering the ground most of the year; evergreens gain gold stars.
• They should require little or no maintenance - if you have to give the plant more than its share of attention, you might as well save your money and spend the time weeding.
• use the plant on ground areas that are difficult to maintain, such as steep banks or boggy patches.
• use the plant to cover areas where not much will grow, such as deep shade or sandy soils.

Ground Cover a thousand beautiful plants for difficult places by John Cushnie (ISBN 1 85626 326 6) provides details of plants that fulfill the above requirements.

Using these groundcover plants in your planting scheme (either between your trees/shrubs in the border or for the whole border) will - with mulching your beds to a 4 inch depth and an irrigation system - provide you with a planted garden with far less time required for border maintainance.

The groundcover list is sorted in the following pages under the following height of plant range:-

Below 2 feet (24 inches = 60 cms) in height in Groundcover List 1 Page
Between 2 and 6 feet (24 - 72 inches = 60-180 cms) in height in Groundcover List 2 Page
Above 6 feet (72 inches = 180 cms) in height in Groundcover List 3 Page

 

Surface soil moisture is the water that is in the upper 10 cm (4 inches) of soil, whereas root zone soil moisture is the water that is available to plants, which is generally considered to be in the upper 200 cm (80 inches) of soil:-

• Wet Soil has Saturated water content of 20-50% water/soil and is Fully saturated soil
• Moist Soil has Field capacity of 10-35% water/soil and is Soil moisture 2–3 days after a rain or irrigation
• Dry Soil has Permanent wilting point of 1-25% water/soil and is Minimum soil moisture at which a plant wilts
• Residual water content of 0.1-10% water/soil and is Remaining water at high tension
• Available Water Capacity for plants is the difference between water content at field capacity and permanent wilting point

Sun Aspect:-

• Full Sun: At least 6 full hours of direct sunlight. Many sun lovers enjoy more than 6 hours per day, but need regular water to endure the heat.
• Part Shade: 3 - 6 hours of sun each day, preferably in the morning and early afternoon. The plant will need some relief from the intense late afternoon sun, either from shade provided by a nearby tree or planting it on the east side of a building.
  Dappled Sun: Dappled sunlight is similar to partial shade. It is the sun that makes its way through the branches of a deciduous tree. Woodland plants and underplantings prefer this type of sunlight over even the limited direct exposure they would get from partial shade.
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight each day, with filtered sunlight during the rest of the day. Full shade does not mean no sun.

Chalky alkaline soils are derived from chalk or limestone with a pH of 7.1 or above.
Clay soils swell and shrink as they wet and dry.
Lime-Free soils are acidic and without chalk.
In poorly drained soils (50 % solid materials and about 50 % pore space), most of the pore space is filled with water for long periods of time, leaving too little air.
Light sandy soils dry out quickly and are low in nutrients.

The overall amount of sunlight received depends on aspect, the direction your garden faces:-

North-facing gardens get the least light and can be damp

South-facing gardens get the most light

East-facing gardens get morning light

West-facing gardens get afternoon and evening light

Acid Site - An acid soil has a pH value below 7.0. Clay soils are usually acid and retentive of moisture, requiring drainage. The addition of grit or coarse sand makes them more manageable. Peaty soil is acidic with fewer nutrients and also requires drainage.

Alkaline Soil - An alkaline soil has a pH value above 7.0. Soils that form a thin layer over chalk restrict plant selection to those tolerant of drought.

Bank / Slope problems include soil erosion, surface water, summer drought and poor access (create path using mattock to pull an earth section 180 degrees over down the slope). Then, stabilise the earth with 4 inches (10cms) depth of spent mushroom compost under the chicken wire; before planting climbers/plants through it.

Exposed Site is an area that is open to the elements and that includes cold, biting winds, the glare of full sun, frost and snow.

Path Edges - Soften edges for large masses of paving or lawn with groundcover plants. Random areas Within Paths can be planted with flat-growing plants. Other groundcover plants are in the Rest of Border.

Seaside Plants that deal with salt-carrying gales and blown sand; by you using copious amounts of compost and thick mulch to conserve soil moisture.

Under Hedge requires ground cover that tolerates bone dry, poor soil.

Woodland ground cover under the shade of tree canopies.

To locate mail-order nursery for plants from the UK in this gallery try using search in RHS Find a Plant.

To locate plants in the European Union (EU) try using Search Term in Gardens4You and Meilland Richardier in France.

To locate mail-order nursery for plants from America in this gallery try using search in Plant Lust.

To locate plant information in Australia try using Plant Finder in Gardening Australia.

Soil:-

Soil Moisture:-

Sun Aspect:-

Plant Location:-

Flower Colour with Flower Thumbnail

Flowering Months

Foliage Colour with Foliage Thumb-nail

Plant Use

Plant Type
(Per = Perennial) with link to
Plant Description Page,
Companion Plants to help this plant Page,
Alpine Plant for Rock Garden Index Page
and/or
Native to UK WildFlower Plant in its Family Page in this website

Comment

AC = Acid Site

AL = Alkaline Site or
AN = Any for Acid, Neutral or Alkaline

BA = Bank / Slope

CH =Chalk

EX = Exposed Site

CL = Clay

PA =
Path Edges
RB = Rest of Border

WP =
Within Path

LF = Lime-Free or
AN = Any Soil

D = Dry

S = Full Sun

SE = Seaside Plants

PD = Poorly Drained
PE = Peaty

M = Moist

PS = Part Shade
DS = Dappled Sun

UN = Under Hedge

LS = Light Sand

W = Wet

FS = Full Shade

WO = Woodland

CH

CL

LF

PD

LS

D

M

W

S

PS

FS

AC

AL

BA

EX

PA

SE

UN

WO

CH

PS

AL

WO

Adiantum pedatum

No Flower

...

Green

As foliage clump in Part Shade, Moist Woodland, pair with broad-leaved plants

12 x 12 (30 x 30)

Northern Maidenhair Fern,
Five-fingered Fern

Deciduous - fronds to 35cm (14in) long on glossy, dark-brown or black stalks.

CH

PS

AL

WO

Adiantum venustum

6 x indefinite
(15 x indefinite)

CL

AN

M

PS

FS

AN

PA

Ajuga reptans 'Atropurpurea'

Deep Blue

Apr-Jun

Reddish-purple foliage.

It will put up with the poorest of soils so is good for planting around the base of trees/shrubs.

6 x 36 (15 x 90)

Evergreen Per

Bugle in Wildflower

Mat-forming. Full sun brings out the richest leaf colour on this creeping plant, but, if the foliage is to form a dense, ground-covering carpet, the roots must be fairly moist.

CL

AN

M

PS

FS

AN

PA

Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow'

Sky blue

Feb-May

In soils that retain moisture easily, this plant makes excellent ground-cover.

6 x 24 (15 x 60)

Evergreen Per

Bugle in Wildflower

This has leaves which are basically green and cream but which are overlaid with a suffusion of bright pink and clear wine-red. Cold weather intensifies the foliage colour.

CL

AN

M

PS

FS

AN

PA

Ajuga reptans 'Catlins Giant'

Apr-Aug

evergreen carpet of large, glossy, bronze-purple leaves

Use in shady border and under deciduous trees and shrubs

6 x 24 (15 x 60)

Evergreen Per

Bugle in Wildflower

Can be planted over spring bulbs such as snowdrops (Galanthus). Avoid planting adjacent to lawn areas since little islands of ajuga may start appearing in the grass.

CL

AN

M

PS

FS

AN

PA

Ajuga reptans 'Multicolor'

Blue

Apr-May

Variegated white with green midrib.

Use at woodland edge, between trees or shrubs in mostly light shade.

6 x 24 (15 x 60)

Evergreen Per

Bugleweed, Bugle in Wildflower

Mat-forming

CL

AN

M

PS

FS

AN

PA

Ajuga reptans 'Rainbow'

Dark Blue

Apr-Jul

Glossy, purple-brown tinted, deep-green, crinkly-textured leaves that are irregularly margined with cream and pink.

Grow in rock garden. Can be used in the pot through summer and planted into the border or raised beds for the winter.

6 x 24 (15 x 60)

Semi-Evergreen Per

Bugle in Wildflower

Mat-forming and spreading.

CL

AN

M

PS

FS

AN

PA

Ajuga reptans 'Variegata'

Dark blue

Apr-Jul

Glossy, grey-green and creamy variegated foliage

Perfect addition to an alpine container to highlight other plants

6 x 24 (15 x 60)

Evergreen Per

Bugle in Wildflower

Mat-forming

AN

AN

PA

Alchemilla alpina

4 x 20 (10 x 50)

Alpine Lady's Mantle in Wildflower

AN

AN

PA

Alchemilla conjuncta

16 x 12 (40 x 30)

AN

AN

PA

Alchemilla mollis

20 x 20 (50 x 50)

Lady's Mantle

CH

LS

AN

PA

Alyssum montanum 'Mountain Gold'

6 x 18 (15 x 45)

Rock Garden ,

CH

LS

AN

PA

Alyssum wulfenianum

6 x 18 (15 x 45)

Rock Garden ,

LF

AC

PA

WO

Andromeda polifolia 'Alba'

16 x 24 (40 x 60)

Rock Garden , Bog Rosemary in Wildflower

CH

LS

AL

PA

WO

Anemone apennina

8 x 12 (20 x 30)

Rock Garden ,

CH

LS

AL

PA

WO

Anemone blanda 'Atrocaerulea'

6 x 6 (15 x 15)

Rock Garden ,

CH

LS

AL

PA

WO

Anemone blanda 'Radar'

6 x 6 (15 x 15)

Rock Garden ,

CH

LS

AL

PA

WO

Anemone blanda 'Violet Star'

6 x 6 (15 x 15)

Rock Garden ,

CH

LS

AL

PA

WO

Anemone nemorosa

4 x 12 (10 x 30)

Wood Anemone in Wildflower

CH

LS

AL

PA

WO

Anemone ranunculoides

2 x 18 (5 x 45)

CH

LS

AL

PA

WO

Anemone sylvestris

18 x 18 (45 x 45)

AN

AN

PA

WP

Antennaria dioica rosea

2 x 18 (5 x 45)

Mountain Everlasting in Wildflower

CH

LS

AN

PA

SE

Anthemis punctata cupaniana

12 x 36 (30 x 90)

AN

AN

PA

Anthyllis montana

12 x 24 (30 x 60)

Rock Garden ,

CH

LS

AN

PA
WP

Arabis caucasica 'Variegata'

6 x 18 (15 x 45)

Garden Arabis in Wildflower

LF

LS

AC

WO

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

4 x 20 (10 x 50)

Bearberry in Wildflower

LF

LS

AC

WO

Arisaema sikokianum

18 x 6 (45 x 15)

LS

AC

PA
WP

Arisarum proboscideum

6 x 10 (15 x 25)

LS

AN

Artemesia schmidtiana

12 x 18 (30 x 45)

LS

AN

Arum creticum

12 x 6 (30 x 15)

LS

AN

PA
RB

Asarina procumbens

2 x 24 (5 x 60)

LF

LS

AC

PA

SE

Asarum europaeum

3 x 12 (8 x 30)

Asarabacca in Wildflower

CH

LS

AL

PA

SE

Aster alpinus

10 x 18 (25 x 45)

CH

LS

AL

Aster amellus 'King George'

18 x 18 (45 x 45)

CH

LS

AL

PA

Aubretia x cultorum
'Argenteo-variegata'

2 x 24 (5 x 60)

CH

LF

LS

PS

AN

PA
RB

SE

WO

Aurinia saxatalis 'Citrinia'

8 x 12 (20 x 30)

AN

PS

AN

RB

WO

Bergenia 'Silberlicht'

12 x 20 (30 x 50)

AN

AN

RB

WO

Bergenia ciliata

12 x 18 (30 x 45)

AN

AN

Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea'

20 x 20 (50 x 50)

LF

PE

AC

Blechnum penna-marina

6 x indefinite
(15 x indefinite)

CH

LS

AL

Blechnum spicant

12 x 24 (30 x 60)

Hard Fern in Wildflower

Brunnera macrophylla
'Dawson's White'

18 x 24 (45 x 60)

Calamintha grandiflora
'Variegata'

18 x 18 (45 x 45)

Calamintha nepeta

18 x 30 (45 x 75)

Lesser Calamint in Wildflower

Calluna vulgaris
'County Wicklow'

10 x 26 (25 x 65)

Ling in Wildflower

Calluna vulgaris 'Golden Carpet'

4 x 12 (10 x 30)

Ling in Wildflower

Campanula 'Birch Hybrid'

4 x 18 (10 x 45)

Carex comans

12 x 30 (30 x 75)

Carex hachijoensis 'Evergold'

12 x 14 (30 x 35)

Carex siderosticha 'Variegata'

12 x 16 (30 x 40)

Celmisia walkeri

12 x 12 (30 x 30)

Centaurea montana

18 x 24 (45 x 60)

Cerastium tomentosum

3 x 24 (8 x 60)

Snow-In-Summer in Wildflower

Chamaemelum nobile

12 x 18 (30 x 45)

Common Chamomile in Wildflower

Clematis marmoria

6 x 8 (15 x 20)

Convallaria majalis

9 x 12 (22 x 30)

Lily of the Valley in Wildflower

Convallaria majalis 'Albostriata'

9 x 12 (22 x 30)

Lily of the Valley in Wildflower

Convallaria majalis 'Rosea'

8 x 12 (20 x 30)

Lily of the Valley in Wildflower

Cornus canadensis

5 x 12 (12 x 30)

Cotoneaster conspicuus

12 x 84 (30 x 210)

Cyclamen cilcium

2 x 3 (5 x 8)

Cyclamen cilcium 'Album'

2 x 3 (5 x 8)

Cyclamen coum

2 x 4 (5 x 10)

Cyclamen hederifolium

5 x 6 (12 x 15)

Sowbread in Wildflower

Daboecia cantabrica 'Alba'

16 x 28 (40 x 70)

St Daboec's Heath in Wildflower

Daboecia cantabrica 'Bicolor'

12 x 24 (30 x 60)

St Daboec's Heath in Wildflower

Daboecia cantabrica 'Praegerae'

16 x 26 (40 x 65)

St Daboec's Heath in Wildflower

Daphne arbuscula

6 x 18 (15 x 45)

Daphne blagayana

16 x 36 (40 x 90)

Daphne cneorum

6 x 72 (15 x 180)

Dianthus deltoides

8 x 12 (20 x 30)

Maiden Pink in Wildflower

Dianthus erinaceus

2 x 26 (5 x 65)

Dianthus gratianopolitanus

6 x 16 (15 x 40)

Cheddar Pink in Wildflower

Diasia rigescens

12 x 20 (30 x 50)

Dionysia involucrata

3 x 4 (8 x 10)

Epimedium pubigerum

18 x 18 (45 x 45)

Epimedium rubrum

12 x 12 (30 x 30)

Eranthis hyemalis

2 x 3 (5 x 8)

Winter Aconite in Wildflower

Erica carnea 'Ann Sparkes'

6 x 10 (15 x 25)

Irish Heath in Wildflower

Erica carnea 'March Seedling'

6 x 20 (15 x 50)

Irish Heath in Wildflower

Erica carnea 'Springwood Pink'

6 x 16 (15 x 40)

Irish Heath in Wildflower

Erica carnea
'Springwood White'

6 x 6 (15 x 15)

Irish Heath in Wildflower

Erica carnea 'Vivellii'

10 x 14 (25 x 35)

Irish Heath in Wildflower

Erica ciliaris 'Corfe Castle'

9 x 14 (22 x 35)

Dorset Heath in Wildflower

Erica ciliaris 'David McClintock'

16 x 18 (40 x 45)

Dorset Heath in Wildflower

Erica cinerea 'C.D. Eason'

11 x 20 (27 x 50)

Bell Heather in Wildflower

Erica cinerea 'Fiddler's Gold'

9 x 18 (22 x 45)

Bell Heather in Wildflower

Erica darleyensis 'Darley Dale'

12 x 22 (30 x 55)

Erica darleyensis 'Furzey'

14 x 24 (35 x 60)

Erica darleyensis
'Silberschmeize'

14 x 32 (35 x 80)

Erica erigena 'Golden Lady'

12 x 16 (30 x 40)

Erica tetralix 'L.E. Underwood'

10 x 20 (25 x 50)

Cross-Leaved Heath in Wildflower

Erica tetralix 'Pink Star'

8 x 14 (20 x 35)

Cross-Leaved Heath in Wildflower

Erica vagans 'Mrs D.F. Maxwell'

12 x 18 (30 x 45)

Cornish Heath in Wildflower

Erigeron karvinskianus

12 x 36 (30 x 90)

Erinacea anthyllis

12 x 36 (30 x 90)

Eriogonum umbellatum

12 x 36 (30 x 90)

Eriophyllum lanatum

18 x 18 (45 x 45)

Erodium manescaui

18 x 8 (45 x 20)

Erythronium dens-canis

6 x 5 (15 x 12)

Euonymous fortunei
'Emerald and Gold'

18 x 24 (45 x 60)

Euphorbia amygdaloides
var. robbiae

18 x 24 (45 x 60)

Wood Spurge in Wildflower

Euphorbia cyparissias

12 x indefinite
(30 x indefinite)

Cypress Spurge in Wildflower

Euphorbia myrsinites

4 x 12 (10 x 30)

Euphorbia polychroma

20 x 20 (50 x 50)

Euryops acraeus

12 x 12 (30 x 30)

Festuca eskia

6 x 10 (15 x 25)

Festuca glauca 'Blue Fox'

12 x 10 (30 x 25)

Fragaria 'Pink Panda'

6 x indefinite
(15 x indefinite)

Fragaria vesca

12 x indefinite
(30 x indefinite)

Wild Strawberry in Wildflower

Fragaria vesca 'Alexandria'

12 x indefinite
(30 x indefinite)

Wild Strawberry in Wildflower

Fragaria vesca 'Semperflorens'

12 x indefinite
(30 x indefinite)

Wild Strawberry in Wildflower

Fragaria vesca 'Variegata'

12 x indefinite
(30 x indefinite)

Wild Strawberry in Wildflower

Galanthus nivalis

4 x 4 (10 x 10)

Snowdrop in Wildflower

Galium odoratum

18 x indefinite
(45 x indefinite)

Woodruff in Wildflower