Ground Cover Plants
Best described as dense, low growing plants that are used to cover areas between other plants, good ground cover plants are increasingly in demand for the Australian garden. Not only can they form an attractive carpet in full sun or shade under trees, they can also help cut down garden maintenance by minimising weed growth.
Ground cover plants for slopes, erosion control, shade and sun and Native Ground Cover plant species all have different characteristics.
Flowering plants can provide a colourful carpet and ground covering plants for shade areas can be replacement for grass.
In Australia ground cover plants have a role in erosion prevention, weed control and as an important element of garden design. Some such as Gardenia augusta 'Radicans' have great fragrant flowers as well.
Watch out for ground covers that may become invasive in Australian conditions.
Ground Cover plants list for shade in Australia :
Hosta, Bergenia, Epimedium, Cornus canadensis, Parthenocissus, Potentilla, Ferns including Athyrium, Brunnera, Helleborus and Tiarella all make great ground cover plants.
Ground Cover plant list for sun:
Achillea, Armemaria, Arabis, Coreopsis, Dampiera Diversifolia, Euphorbia, Gazania, Nepeta x faassenii (cat mint), Stachys byzantina ( Lamb's Ear), Low growing or Dwarf Conifers are also excellent. Thymus, Verbena and Veronica all work well as ground covers.
Drought resistant round Cover plants list:
Acacia redolens is an interesting low growing acacia, fairly dense and shrubby reachin 1m, works well as a ground cover plant. Hardenbergia violacea, Myoporum parvifolium (Creeping Boobialla) is dense growing and tough, look for the new cultivar Myoporum parvifolium Yareena, also try Chrysocephalum apiculatum, or Yellow Buttons.
Conifers as Ground Cover Plants
Low growing conifers such as Juniperus Squamata Prostrata make outstanding ground covers. |
