Plant this deer- and rabbit-resistant herb in the spring and its fuzzy leaves will cover large areas by autumn. While this glossy, strappy green is popular in the southern states, it can survive anywhere. Note: This plant is considered invasive across much of the northeast, some areas of the northern Midwest, and parts of the Pacific Northwest. Height is a foot or so. 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. General description Fast-growing perennial ground cover that may be either trailing or upright depending on conditions. Lamium is evergreen from Zone 6 south. Yellow archangel ( lamium galeobdolon) If you arent sure if it will survive the winter outdoors where you live, pop it out of the ground and into a container to grow as a houseplant until the following spring. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Select either a shady or half shady location when growing Lamium maculatum. There may be restrictions on planting it in these areas. Its cheerful bright lilac pink flowers add whimsy to the garden from early summer through midsummer. But purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) takes advantage of the open expanses of soil and lack of competition. Creeping Phlox. Thus you need to be careful in choosing the right spot to grow this plant. The Ground Cover Dogwood blooms then produces edible berries. In fact, this short, squat plant is often seen dotting hillsides or banks. Once established, its drought tolerant. Equally at home hanging from a planter or covering a hillside, Lysimachia (more commonly known as creeping Jenny) is a plant admired for its trailing branches. The low-maintenance plant thrives year-round, rewarding you with delicate blooms in spring and summer. 'Album', has white flowers, shown here blooming before the leaves on September 28, 2011, and spreads to form a ground cover that stays green through the winter . You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Not picky, spotted Dead Nettles do just fine in average, well-drained soil. They are tough and their easy-going adaptability to a wide variety of rocky slopes, clay, and alkaline soils keep them comfortable in the west. spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum L.) is a perennial flowering ornamental commonly grown as a landscape plant for an adequate ground cover.. Lamium Excellent Ground Cover for Shade. Some of these ground covers will grow in sun and others in shade; all will put on growth quickly. It's also used for ground cover to stop erosion because its tough roots hold soil in place. I think I'll try some . English Ivy. Growing Conditions: Full to part shade in moist, well-drained soil This easy-to-grow plant spreads and produces numerous offspring from seed. They thrive in or out of sunlight, and they seem to multiply on their own thanks to their rhizomatous roots. A critical bit of deadnettle plant info to be aware of, however, is . They have silver foliage and produce showy pink, purple or white flowers in late spring. If you prefer a similar but less aggressive variety, consider C. montana 'Amethyst Dream'. Despite its vigorous growth, it's not considered invasive. Oak sedge prefers partial shade to full shade in USDA Zones 3 through 8. Growing as high as 36 inches, it blooms all summer long with purple flowers. And while deer might not like itspink flowers, they do attract butterflies and honeybeesits even believed that it enhances the flavor of the honey. Spotted Dead Nettle ( Lamium maculatum) is a flowering type of low growing ground cover plant that thrives in the shade. Fix your gardens trouble spots with these low-growing perennials, annuals, and shrubs. Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. It likes full sun, but can tolerate part shade. It gets its name because light reflects off its hairy growths and sparkles on the landscape. However, keep it away from turf grass to avoid damage. Those fleshy, bluish-green leaves help retain what little water it receives. Slugs and snails are attracted to the liquid, fall in and drown. It needs full sun to flourish. Try to plant it in large groupings on a hillside or along the house's foundation to prevent erosion. RELATED: The 15 Best Plants for Rookie Gardeners. Thanks to its bold blue hue and its ability to attract butterflies, Grace Ward lithodora will add bursts of color to your landscape from spring through the end of summer. RELATED: 30 Plants for Your Easiest Garden Ever. This aromatic herb can be an invasive plant when grown in moist soil, where it sometimes spreads out of control. Hardy in zones 7 through 10, these low maintenance ground cover plants love full sun and heat. Leadwort begins blooming in late summer with beautiful, electric-blue flowers and continues until the first frost. It prefers moist ground, drought-tolerant once established, and needs full shade. Though Chinese lantern is also considered invasive, it is a novel and colorful perennial ground cover with autumn interest because of its bright orange-red shaped seed pods that turn into papery husks. In the South or West, the ground cover may lose its leaves or die back in the cold months. This plant works as a ground cover, a border plant or even a houseplant in a hanging basket. Because the common name is often given as spotted dead nettle. It is far too unattractive a little for this low-growing carpet of leaves. Scott Little. Its fascinating to watch in the spring as its semi-evergreen foliage emerges bronze, then brightens to fresh green and covers up the previous years growth. Thats the beauty of this native spring ephemeral that goes by several names including woodland phlox, wild sweet William and Phlox divaricata. Candytuft is a ground-hugging, clumping, and flowering perennial that dies back each winter and rebounds each spring and early summer. World of Flowering Plants. The opposite leaves are silvery green with large silver blotches on the upper surface, lightening up a dark shady area. 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. You will have a Lamium carpet by fall, and the following year you will perhaps be able to pen your own lamium nursery with which to supply all your friends. If you are looking for something unusual, consider wall germander, a broadleaf woody-stemmed evergreen that is often massed or used as a low hedge along retaining walls or in knot gardens. Liverleaf (Anemone americana, formerly classified as Hepatica americana) is a perennial wildflower native to North America. 16 inches apart for coverage in two seasons. It often grows vertically along trellises, but the plant can also serve as a ground cover. Root-hardy, it will return after a freeze, but in mild winters such as this year's, little damage is done to the foliage. Firecracker Sedum ( Sedum) The creeping juniper is a sprawling, creeping needled evergreen shrub that grows to a maximum height of about 18 inches and with a spread that can go as much as 8 feet. plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Groundcover plants are helpful for weed suppression, while also adding texture and color to your garden with low maintenance needs. NC State University Cooperative Extension. Water the seedlings and apply a mulch layer on top of the soil. The horizontally-spreading branches of creeping junipers make a dense mat that weeds cant penetrate. It's also toxic to humans and pets. A variety of cultivars are available, including Juniperus horizontalis'Blue Rug.'. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I've never tried that one. A. You could first try it in a small area container to see how it does in your garden. 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. Theywill not require much waterwhen grown in full shade, a fact that (along with their resistance to deer pests) recommends them to homeowners seeking low-maintenance landscaping. Plant ivy in the spring and you won't need to maintain it at all. Blooms are cream colored. 5. 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 not as attractive to cats as catnip (Nepeta cataria), catmint is a gardeners dream: an easy-to-grow, robust purple ground cover. It needs full sun to bloom best. Keep in mind that smaller containers will require watering more often. But in regions where spotted dead nettle is not invasive, it acts as an effective ground cover for deeply shaded areas. Lamium maculatum (white nettle, pink pewter, and spotted nettle) Lamium galeobdolon . The little silver leaves of lamium are like bits of glitter strewn about the garden floor, reflecting any dappled sunlight that finds them. Read our, Amethyst in Snow (Centaurea montana 'Amethyst in Snow'), 31 Best-Deer Resistant Flowers and Plants to Grow, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 18 Perennial Flowers That Bloom in Spring, Summer and Fall, 35 Types of Orange Flowers: Identification & Photos, 15 Best Plants for Drought-Tolerant Gardens, Angelina Sedum (Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'), Rock Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis), Chinese lantern is also considered invasive. It has a stripe down the middle that can be white, yellow, red, or silver. A popular climbing vine, English ivy will creep along to cover the ground if you let it, and thrives in the shade. Many use the ground cover to define the borders of garden paths. Plant in full shade or partial shade. Fast growing and a good all round plant for beneath trees you get a ground cover with good foliage and the added attraction of flowers. Just beware: Its rapid growth makes this an invasive plant throughout the Eastern United States, as well as parts of Texas and the Southwest. In milder climates, it is semi-evergreen. Will ruellia make a good ground cover? That kind doesnt make a good ground cover and needs lots of sun to grow well. It's also a beautiful ground cover to consider for moon gardens, but just beware the flowers are less than fragrant. 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. Lamium. But what really makes this tough perennial a standout is its vivid foliage that ranges from chartreuse to silvery white to many shades of green. This easy-care, mat-forming ground cover provides pops of purple blooms from mid-spring to early summer. Spread: Slow to medium growth rate; spreads via stolons to a height of 10 inches. Select a branch and cut it off the plant. This tenacious perennial spreads rapidly, thrives in full sun, is cold hardy, grows in poor soil, and is drought tolerant once established. Its a relative of mint, so its guaranteed to spread, and its hardy in the cold of Zone 3 but can take heat up to Zone 8. Lamium is undemanding and easy to grow in partial to fully shaded locations. Plant number: 1.305.190. You might be more familiar with the short, colorful asters commonly sold along with potted mums in the fall. Just like the name implies, the fuzzy silver leaves resemble lamb's ears. which is great for using as a ground cover in large fields and gardens. Ice plants need plenty of sun to thrive. Cut the runner off with pruning shears, plant it in another spot, and then water. Soft, aromatic creeping thyme seems to check off all the boxes for a gardener, plus more. 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. 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. In shade, its OK if the soil dries out now and then. Mow it down once in late winter and watch the fresh green growth fill right back in. In regions with cold winters, Lamium is deciduous. It prefers shade, but . Are rabbits attracted to spotted dead nettle? RELATED: 25 Plants That Survive With or Without You. Spotted dead nettles are a great plant to put in containers or hanging baskets. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. When selecting a ground cover for shady areas, make sure to choose shade-tolerant plants that naturally thrive with minimal sunlight. These creeping ground cover plants will reward you with easy care and bright colors. It is far too unattractive a little for this low-growing carpet of leaves. It forms a dense, 8- to 12 . Sweet woodruff foliage can be dried and used in wreaths, potpourri, and other craft creations. This is a lush trailing ground cover with. Hardy and deer resistant in USDA Zones 4 through 8, this colonizing fern prefers humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils. Album has white flowers and white marked leaves. Named for the color and the shape of their flowers, brass buttons stand out perhaps most of all for their serrated, fern-like leaves. #9. She's been a frequent speaker at various garden events. Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, 25 Plants That Survive With or Without You, 14 of the Best Plants for Your Drought-Tolerant Garden, 10 Grass-Free Alternatives to a Traditional Lawn, Bad Neighbors: 11 Plant Pairs Never to Grow Side by Side. There are so many options to choose from, including old favorites like Pachysandra and Vinca, as well as small shrubs, perennials, and annuals. You can plant this drought-tolerant, low-maintenance ground cover at the edge of a rock garden or other space and more or less forget about it (except for occasional watering) during the summertime. To propagate from the stem, cut the 10cm long portion of the stem and leave it to scab for some time. Press Esc to cancel. BUY IT ($18) Jill King/EyeEm/Getty Images. 1. Lamium is a fast-growing perennial ground cover that deer and rabbits avoid. Though pruning is not necessary, hostas will yellow and die back so trimming dead foliage can look better, especially in a small area. Virtually disease and pest free, Spotted Dead Nettle is also deer and rabbit resistant. This plant is fast growing, and one plant can spread up to two feet or more within a year. Need an easy evergreen carpet to plant where no grass dare grow? Wherever its branches make contact with the soil, it will put down roots, creating new plants. It even takes on the terribly invasive Garlic Mustard. Creeping Charlie is also known as ground ivy, Alehoof, Catsfoot, creeping jenny, gill-over-the-ground, haymaids, field balm, run-away-robin and tunhoof. Common pests for spotted dead nettles are slugs and snails, which seem to be the main pests for this plant, although aphids can also attach themselves to the stems and leaves. This clumping perennial is less than a foot tall, with slender, long, arching leaves. Spotted dead nettles propagate easily by themselves from runners, by dividing, or from cuttings. Another method of control some gardeners use is placing saucers of stale beer among their plants, with the lip of the container at ground level. Within two to three years of planting, it forms a lush carpet of velvety, green, heart-shaped leaves that hug the ground. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Astros GM Dana Brown has more praise team's top prospect, Principal fired for reading 'I Need a New Butt!' Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Care requirements for creeping phlox are few. Push the bare part of the branch into the soil at the desired location and water. They dont add much ornamental value, but they do help out the pollinators. It grows best where it has plenty of space to spread out. The ground has only recently thawed and most are waiting for just the right amount of consistent warmth and moisture before coming up. Because the common name is often given as "spotted dead nettle". Nepeta x faassenia, commonly called nepeta, nepeta catmint, or Faassen's catmint, is one of several perennial catmint plants. This is a deer- and rabbit-resistant ground cover that is ideal for large swaths of landscape. In ideal sunny conditions, Amethyst in Snow will spread quite quickly, but you can control it easily by pulling out stray shoots. `Katie' produces petunialike, purple blooms for months. Our native white wood aster (Aster divaricatus), which grows in USDA Zones 3 through 8, spreads underground and by seed to form dense colonies even in dry shade conditions. It's deer-resistant and can tolerate drought, heat, and cold. Ferns come in many different colors, heights and forms. Ground-huggers in the 1- to 3-inch range that tolerate foot traffic can be used between stepping stones. Pachysandra is one of the most widely used ground covers in the country thanks to its extreme durability while it grows under challenging conditions such as too much shade and drought. But with hardy plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), youll enjoy a carpet of cerulean blue blooms every year from late summer to frost. As lovely a ground cover as it seems, it's also considered invasive and is toxic to pets. Lamium is an excellent ground cover for shade. Spotted dead nettles are valued as perennial ground covers for the shade that will spread and fill in a patch of ground that might otherwise remain bare (except for weeds). The versatile strawberry begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera) is neither a strawberry nor a begonia. It also produces lovely purple, white, blue, or pink flowers in the summer. While grass is typically the best way to fill out empty space, sometimes low-growing plants are a better and prettier option. This elegant fern looks as dainty as a pearl necklace, but is tough enough to survive winter growing in the Himalayan Mountains, where it is native. Lamium is evergreen from Zone 6 south. This type of evergreen comes in an array of shapes and sizes. In midsummer, after the blooming period is over, prune plants back by one-third to help prevent them from becoming too invasive. Commonly used as a ground cover in the shade garden, spotted dead nettle is short- It spreads via rhizomes, a trait that can be a double-edged sword. Hortster. 20 Ground Cover Plants to Fill out Your Garden, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. This fast-growing annual looks gorgeous tumbling over rock walls or along the edges of walkways. It even takes on the terribly invasive Garlic Mustard. The plant's multicolored leaves and tiny pastel flowers look attractive by themselves along a walkway or mingled. It can even thrive in the acidic conditions under large pine trees. Ooo. Its off the menu for deer and rabbits, but a feast for pollinating bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The success of many invasive plants is due to this means of spreading. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This common weedy plant is a member of the mint family and forms early groundcover mats, with fuzzy . Known as Lamium maculatum, this perennial plant is deer- and rabbit-resistant and boasts a lengthy bloom time: from mid-spring to early summer. Ajuga or Bugleweed is a low-maintenance option that is also . The only maintenance you'll need to do is remove tattered leaves damaged from a bad winter. Finely textured, semi-evergreen, bright green blades form a slowly spreading mass that tops out about six to eight inches tall. Growing 3-6 inches tall, it can be used as a full ground cover, or you can plant it around stepping stones and pathways. This plant grows vibrant purple flowers that grow against grey-green foliage from early spring through early summer. For example, choose Delosperma brunnthaleri, a hardy ground cover that grows around 2 inches tall and 2 feet wide with yellow flowers and ideal for zones 4 to 9. The plant prefers partial shade or full sun and well-draining moist soil. Several plants in this list happily grow in full or partial shade. Botanical Name: Cotoneaster horizontalis This tall ground cover has a horizontal growing habit, give it plenty of water and afternoon shade until it is fully grown. USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7 Otherwise, no pruning is needed, and if you're using it only for ground covering, watch that it does not grab hold of a tree bark or the siding of your house because its roots will dig in, making it hard to remove without damaging the surface. 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. 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. Can be invasive in moist, fertile soils. Here are our top 15 ground covers for shaded areas. Epimedium, also called Bishops Cap, can tolerate dry conditions once established. It prefers well-drained soil but will do fine in the dry shade if you provide it with regular watering. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. The large, veined, heart-shaped leaves have a spread of 18 to 24 inches, and most varieties bloom in late spring with small pink flowers. Simply put some potting soil mix in a container or hanging basket that has drainage holes, and plant the spotted dead nettle, then water. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Species can be annuals or perennials, with many valued for their ground cover abilities, pollinator-friendly flowers and preference of shady areas. This is a large plant with a horizontal growth habit (thus its species name). Height is a foot or so. In fact, brass buttons share the same Achilles heel as ferns: Both succumb easily to drought. Common or Western yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is native to North America and can be found throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This plant forms a ground-hugging mat topped with wispy white flowers that flutter atop 15-inch-tall stems in late spring to early summer. However, creeping ground coverings tend to spread the fastest. Ground Cover Dogwood. Lamium needs shade and a fertile, moist but well-draining soil. Name: Ceratostigma plumbaginoides. Whether you do it yourself or pay a landscaper, maintaining a vibrant garden and lush lawn requires time, effort, and money. It doesnt like wet feet, so make sure the soil is well-drained. To plant creeping juniper on a grassy slope, get rid of the grass, then lay down landscape fabric along the slope. Lamium? Native to Europe and western Asia, Lamium is frequently found naturalized along woodland trails and paths and colonized along the banks of streams. Instead, it keeps its leathery dark green leaves in nearly the same condition year round. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Read more about purple dead nettle and henbit. 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. This is a slow-growing and long-lasting ground cover that simply needs pruning every so often to prevent it from growing leggy. Miniature hostas will grow less than 9 inches tall, small hostas grow to a foot or more, and giant hostas can grow over 30 inches tall. I have some really hardy portulaca that I think I'll try there too. Angelina Sedum is easy to propagate by rooting, so you can quickly fill an area with its succulent foliage. Interrupted fern, like bunchberry and liverleaf, is a North American native that can serve as a low-maintenance ground cover for shade. Spotted deadnettle. So long as the site affords full sun and good drainage, creeping phlox requires next to nothing in the way of care. Desert zinnia (Zinnia acerosa) and prairie zinnia (Zinnia grandiflora) are native ground covers in the Southwest. However, it will grow out of its boundaries so trimming it back can help if you want to keep the yard neat. The kaleidoscope of red, blue and green all at once lights up the shade like ground level fireworks. English ivy is considered an evergreen perennial covering, period. Spotted Dead Nettle is an excellent ground cover plant because of its flowers and its spreading growth habit. This ground cover requires very little care at allif planted in full shade. If you are looking for a low-maintenance ground cover, sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a good pick, but only under certain conditions. It can cover large areas if you let it, so take care to find a place where its spreading tendency will be welcomed. If you're planting a shrub or perennial that you want to last from one year to the next, make sure it's suited according to your USDA Hardiness Zone (find yours here). Though this is considered a flowering ground cover, it's tiny white flowers are quite insignificant. This shrub also offers some fall-foliage value. Liverleaf's spring floral display makes this small perennial special. Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. Spotted dead nettles tolerate evenshady areas that have dry soil. Its variegated leaves and colorful spring flowers make Lamium a reliable choice for brightening shady garden spots where few other perennials will grow. Creeping thyme. Little Moonshine, for example, reaches about 10 inches high when in bloom; Greek yarrow has lower height and gray-green foliage. The reality is that this hardy opportunist, if left unchecked, can become unsightly and sometimes invasive. The following could be some of the best choices, depending on your own unique landscaping needs: Their stems root where they touch the soil, allowing the plants to spread. Each plant takes on a green fountain-like appearance: Long, lush shoots of chartreuse foliage sprout up from the soil, then softly twist and tangle for full coverage wherever planted. New delosperma varieties boast yellow, orange, apricot, and bicolor flowers. There is no need to apply fertilizer, encouraging them to become too robust and invasive. With full sun, this green herb will grow small flowers in summer, attracting plenty of pollinators. Lawns also are considered ground covers, but may require more moisture, sunlight, fertilizer and maintenance than other ground cover choices. Don't site near small plants which may be overtaken. It makes a dense mat of three-lobed leaves on lengthy, cane-like stems, which provide an interesting ground . They may be plain green, but they are usually spotted or banded in silver-gray. She is married to photographer John Everett and they have one son. The erect flower clusters are long-blooming. This is great if you need to cover a problem area with an attractive ground cover, but not so good if you are trying to grow them in a place where you need a well-behaved plant. Locate where the runners have rooted themselves into the ground. Yellow archangel, also known as yellow Lamium, is very competitive and fast-growing in the forest habitats of western Washington and western British Columbia. The small leaves are speckled with spots, which earns the plant its name. Plant it with an assortment of flowering plants, including paperwhites, cyclamen, and coral bells. Basket of Gold also goes by the name yellow alyssum, another reference to its adorable clusters of bright yellow flowers. Whats more, it requires relatively little maintenance, and it resists deer and other critters. Roger Clemens makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Hiker captures 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo of wildlife at Brazos Bend State Park, This is how astronauts see Houston, Texas Gulf from space with unaided eyes, These bites won big at the Houston rodeo's foodie awards, Here's what Lina Hidalgo carb-loads before a long run, Heres how you can watch 'Daisy Jones and the Six', Houston police ticket man for feeding homeless people, Texas Republican wants to ban access to abortion websites.