Many water conserving groundcovers are readily available at local garden centers and plant nurseries for use in and around shrub and perennial beds.
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Ice plant used as a water conserving ground cover. Photo credit: captainslack Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 |
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| Low growing creeping thyme is a low water use plant that can be walked on. Photo credit: Susan Buffler |
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| Drought tolerant sedums (stonecrop) growing on a rock. Many cultivars are available. Photo credit: Susan Buffler |
Groundcovers are simply plants that are used to cover an area of bare ground. Although groundcovers are generally considered creeping or spreading plants, other plants, when planted densely enough, can be used in the same fashion.
Water conserving groundcovers can be herbaceous perennials or woody plants and generally are less than 24 inches in height. They can have interesting textures, colors, and flowers. Space appropriately to create the desired effect.
Use of Groundcovers
Groundcovers are a great way to visually 'link' together other plants such as shrubs and perennials. Taller and dense groundcovers can help with weed control .
Care of Groundcovers
When using water conserving groundcovers in shrub and perennial beds consider the degree of maintenance required.
- Understand the degree of invasiveness of the species under consideration
- Choose appropriate species for sun or shade
- Groundcovers are generally easy to divide and transplant
- Fertilize appropriately
Additional Resources:
West
Colorado: Ground Cover Plants
Xeriscaping: Ground Cover Plants
California: Ground Covers
Nevada: Ground Covers
Western Washington: Ferns, Ground Covers & Herbaceous Perennials
Midwest
Illinois: Tips for Groundcovers
Minnesota: Groundcovers
Southeast
Florida: Ground Cover for South Florida
