Outdoor ornamentals
Creeping phlox
Phlox subulata
A low spring-flowering groundcover for sunny, freely draining beds, rock gardens and manageable banks; confirm the species behind the common name.
Growing referenceExplore / Groundcovers
Groundcovers
Choose what belongs underfoot.
Compare groundcovers by light, soil, regional behavior and the work of establishment. Plan for tree roots, spread and access before filling the space.
Plant-spacing planner →
A useful place to start
Plan a groundcover that belongs in your garden.
A carpet of plants starts with conditions and boundaries. Work through these decisions before choosing a flat of plugs.
01 / Read the site
Plant Groundcovers in Dry Shade Without Sacrificing Tree Roots
Separate shade, root competition and soil disturbance before planting beneath trees.
02 / Check the plant’s behavior
Screen a Groundcover for Regional Spread Before It Becomes Your Next Weed
Learn what regional suitability and spread mean for your boundaries.
03 / Plan the planting
Space Groundcover Plugs for the Establishment Work You Can Maintain
Choose spacing, establishment care and maintenance access.
Get to know the plants
Outdoor ornamentals
Pennsylvania sedge
Carex pensylvanica
A fine-textured sedge for a low woodland ground layer, with regional trial evidence, light-traffic limits and a spreading habit to plan around.
Growing reference
Outdoor ornamentals
Wild ginger
Asarum canadense
A deciduous woodland groundcover with broad heart-shaped foliage, best considered for shade with reliable moisture and without culinary expectations.
Growing reference
Outdoor ornamentals
Barren strawberry
Waldsteinia fragarioides
A low ornamental groundcover with yellow spring flowers and strawberry-like foliage; verify the North American species rather than buying by common name.
Growing referenceGroundcovers: the field guides
Clear explanations. Practical next steps.Groundcovers · 6 min read
Choose Groundcovers for a Sunny Slope Before You Clear the Ground
Match a sunny bank to drainage, access and establishment care, then prepare a small plantable area without leaving the whole slope bare.
Read the guideGroundcovers · 6 min read
Plant Groundcovers in Dry Shade Without Sacrificing Tree Roots
Find plantable pockets under established trees, distinguish dry shade from moist woodland conditions and build a small underplanting without trenching or raising soil.
Read the guideGroundcovers · 6 min read
Space Groundcover Plugs for the Establishment Work You Can Maintain
Compare plant counts, lay out true centers, plant small root balls correctly and track watering, weeds and gaps through the first growing seasons.
Read the guideGroundcovers · 6 min read
Screen a Groundcover for Regional Spread Before It Becomes Your Next Weed
Check identity, local invasive guidance, spread mechanisms and the maintenance boundary before choosing or sharing a spreading groundcover.
Read the guideThe next useful connection.
A successful setup brings the plant, growing conditions and equipment together. These related topics help you work through the next decision.