Groundcover
Showing 1–24 of 53 results
Native plants for groundcover can reduce weed growth, control erosion, and provide a lawn alternative that minimizes mowing.
Adiantum pedatum
Adiantum pedatum, or Maidenhair Fern, is a fern producing light green whorls of circular fronds on black, thread-like stems. Maidenhair Fern prefers moist, rich, well-drained soils and part to full shade. The fern spreads slowly, and its clumps expand by … Continued
Andropogon scoparium
Andropogon scoparium, or Little Bluestem, is a short warm season clump grass with a dense root system, growing best in average, dry soil and full sun. Once established, Little Bluestem has good drought resistance as it tolerates high heat and … Continued
Anemone canadensis
Anemone canadensis, or Canada Anemone, is a 1-2 foot perennial that prefers the full sun to part shade with moist soil. Canada Anemone acts as a great ground cover and features deep green foliage covered with white, cup-shaped flowers in … Continued
Aquilegia canadensis
Aquilegia canadensis, or Columbine, is a classic woodland wildflower with lacy blue-green foliage and beautiful red and yellow flowers. Hummingbirds flock to its flowers, and it reseeds itself freely.
Asarum canadense
Asarum canadense, or Wild Ginger, is a six-inch tall, woodland, perennial ground cover plant for shady, medium moist, humus-rich soils. Wild Ginger features red cup-shaped flowers hidden below green heart-shaped leaves that arrive in early summer.
Asplenium platyneuron
Asplenium platyneuron, or Ebony Spleenwort, is an evergreen fern growing in medium yet well-drained locations. It can tolerate more sun than most ferns but prefers shade or semi-shade settings. The plant produces arching, pinnate, semi-glossy, dark green fronds. Ebony Spleenwort … Continued
Aster divaricatus
Aster divaricatus, or White Wood Aster, is a low mounding, rhizomatous perennial that is typically the first aster to bloom in late summer. White Wood Aster produces white ray flowers with light pink centers that are sure to brighten your … Continued
Athyrium filix-femina
Athyrium filix-femina, or Lady Fern, is a fern with bright green fronds and a very lacy texture. Lady Fern prefers moist, rich soils in part sun to shade. It is one of the easiest ferns to grow and is more … Continued
Bouteloua curtipendula
Bouteloua curtipendula, or Sideoats Grama, is short, hardy prairie grass, growing in dry to medium moisture soils and full sun. Side Oats Grama has narrow blue-green foliage with purple flowers appearing in early to mid summer. The leaves turn golden … Continued
Carex blanda
Carex blanda, or Wood Sedge, is an evergreen, perennial sedge growing in moist to dry soils and part sun or full shade. Wood Sedge displays deep green flower spikes above its leaves in late spring. Wood Sedge offers a low-mounded … Continued
Carex pensylvanica
Carex pensylvanica, or Pennsylvania Sedge, is a perennial sedge that is one of the first to bloom in spring. The sedge is a shade-loving perennial growing in dry to medium soils. Pennsylvania Sedge enjoys upland woodlands, wooded slopes, or sandy … Continued
Carex stricta
Carex stricta, or Tussock Sedge, is a truly beautiful sedge that forms attractive green tussocks (clumps) of fine-leaved foliage. Flowers appear in late spring in reddish-brown spikes on top of its stems. Tussock Sedge is easily grown in moist to … Continued
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Dennstaedtia punctilobula, or Hay-Scented Fern, is a deciduous fern with pale green, twice-pinnate fronds and a very lacy texture. Hay-scented Fern gets its name from the fronds that releases a fragrance similar to fresh mown hay when brushed with hands … Continued
Dicentra cucullaria
Dicentra cucullaria, or Dutchman’s Breeches is a spring ephemeral flowering in the early spring in time for the first bumblebees to enjoy its white flowers. The pair of outer petals form a swollen “V” making the hanging flower seem like … Continued
Dicentra eximia
Dicentra eximia, or Bleeding Heart, is a dainty little 9-12” woodlander perennial with attractive lacy fern-like foliage and pink flowers shaped like bleeding hearts. Bleeding Heart prefers full to part shade and medium to moist loamy, organic well-drained soils. Native … Continued
Dryopteris intermedia
Dryopteris intermedia, or Wood Fern, is a dry, woodland, clump growing fern. Wood Fern is a lacy evergreen fern that grows to 1-3’ tall with upright fronds to 40” long and 8” wide. Wood Fern is great for woodland or … Continued
Eupatorium coelestinum
Eupatorium coelestinum, or Blue Mistflower, is covered with blue-violet flowers in late summer from July to September. Blue Mistflower makes a great ground cover for shade and grows lushly in full sun with adequate moisture. Eupatorium coelestinum is also known … Continued
Geranium maculatum
Geranium maculatum, or Wild Geranium, is a charming native 1- to 2-foot perennial woodlander. Wild Geranium is a favorite spring bloomer with lavender blooms and attractive foliage. It prefers shade to part sun and rich, moist soils, but it will … Continued
Geum triflorum
Geum triflorum, or Prairie Smoke, is a perennial with silky, flowing flowers, blooming from mid-spring to early summer. Prairie Smoke never fails to gain admirers. When Prairie Smoke goes to seed, it produces long, upward fuzzy hairs resembling smoke. The … Continued
Hierochloe odorata
Hierochloe odorata, or Sweet Grass, is an aromatic, native, perennial grass, growing 1-2 feet. Sweet Grass prefers moist, rich soils in full sun, but it can be grown in medium moist soils and sand, loam, or clay. Its glossy-green leaves … Continued
Hydrastis canadensis
Hydrastis canadensis, or Goldenseal, is a 1-foot tall woodland native perennial ground cover preferring shade to part sun and moist to well-drained rich in organic matter. Ornamental maple-like leaves and raspberry-like fruit appear atop its upper leaves in late summer. … Continued
Iris cristata
Iris cristata, or Crested Iris, is a low-growing plant best grown in moist, well-drained soils in part shade. The Crested Iris produces pale blue, lilac or lavender iris flowers with gold crests on the falls on short stems.
Jeffersonia diphylla
Jeffersonia diphylla, or Twinleaf, is an early spring wildflower with a single white, cup-shaped flower resembling Bloodroot. Twinleaf has long-stemmed leaves, divided into two lobes giving the appearance of two separate leaves, hence its common name. Twinleaf prefers well-drained, medium … Continued
Mertensia virginica
Mertensia virginica, or Virginia Bluebells, is a 1-2 foot perennial woodlander native to moist humus-rich soils in part to full shade. Virginia Bluebells has beautiful pink to light blue bell-shaped flowers, appearing early to late spring. The plant goes dormant … Continued