Ground cover and turf perennials

Table of contents

Ground cover perennials for shade
Perennials for the sun

Ground cover and turf perennialsare a simple and decorative solution that can be used in almost any garden. With the help of turf perennials, it is possible to cover large areas, slopes and shady places under trees that are difficult to manage. In this article, we present the most interesting ground cover and turf perennials, perfect for garden plantings. At the end you will also find a table with a list ofground cover perennials for sun and shade

Perennials of ground cover and ground cover
Fig. depositphotos.com

Ground cover perennials for shade

Shade-covering perennialsare a great way to cover the areas under trees and shrubs where the lawn grows poorly. Many of these plants grow well in full shade, but they also tolerate semi-shaded and slightly sunny positions, provided that they have adequate soil moisture. The ones that bloom attractively will make the shadowy corner under trees or shrubs sparkle with lots of colors.

Common periwinkle(Vinca minor) - this valued turf plant belongs to the toina family (Apocynaceae) and occurs naturally in Europe. The plant reaches 10-15 cm in height. Dark green, leathery leaves last all year round. Delicate blue and purple flowers constitute the decorative character of this species. For the garden, we can also choose the common periwinkle 'Alba' with white flowers or the periwinkle variety 'Variegata' with leaves with white edges. In this way, we will brighten the position covered with periwinkle.

Periwinkle - Vinca minor
Fig. AnRo0002, Public Domain. Wikimedia Commons

This perennial blooms in spring and blooms until August. Requires a shady, moist and fertile soil. The common periwinkle is reproduced by runners. It is a frost-resistant species and performs well in our climate.
Bergenia cordifolia(Bergenia cordifolia) - perennial growing up to 40 cm in height. It has fleshy, leathery, shiny, evergreen leaves (they turn red at very low temperatures). Pink inflorescences appear in early spring. It is a great ground cover to plant around trees and shrubs. It also looks good around ponds.

Bergenia heart-shaped in the garden of our forowiczka
Fig. Lilia 0405, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl

The bergenia growing site can be sunny or shady. In sunny positions, however, it is necessary to ensure greater soil moisture. It can be propagated by dividing it in early spring or autumn. Plant densely (every 25 to 30 cm) as it grows slowly at first. After 4 years, it may be necessary to remove the oldest rosettes. Bergenia heart-shaped is highly frost-resistant and can be grown all over Poland.
Dąbrówka rozłogowa(Ajuga reptans) belongs to the Lyme family and grows wild in northern Africa, throughout Europe, Western Asia and the Caucasus. It grows up to 15 cm in height and forms dense, compact clumps. An inflorescence shoot emerges from a decorative rosette of dark green or burgundy leaves. It is topped with a long, cluster-like inflorescence of blue, purple, pink or white color.

Dąbrówka rozłogowa
Fig. Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Dąbrówka rozłogowa prefers semi-shaded and shady locations as well as fertile, humus and moderately moist soil. We propagate it by dividing clumps and shoot cuttings. It works well as a ground cover, border plant and for planting around a pond.
Canadian dogwood(Cornus canadensis) - creeping rhizome perennial, reaching a height of 20 to 30 cm. It grows fast. Flowers gathered in capitate inflorescences at the tops of shoots, surrounded by white bracts. It creates spherical, bright red fruit. In the winter, the above-ground part of the plant disappears almost completely. The Canadian dogwood is perfect as a ground cover plant among tall shrubs. It feels best in semi-shaded places, although it can also be grown in sunny places. Requires fertile and humus soils.

Canadian dogwood - Cornus canadensis
Fig. depositphotos.com

Epimedium grandiflorum(Epimedium grandiflorum) - a plant from Japan, reaching a height of 20 to 30 cm.The leaves are brown-green in spring and green in summer. White or yellow flowers appear in May. It is a great ground cover perennial for shady and humid sites and well-drained soils, rich in organic matter.

Epimedium grandiflorum - Epimedium grandiflorum
Fig. Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Cutting off the old leaves in autumn will facilitate the growth of new ones in the spring, but sometimes it is worth leaving them - if the air temperature does not drop too low, the leaves turn red and remain decorative for a long time. Epimedium reproduction can be done by division in late summer. Plant at intervals of 20 to 25 cm.
Houtunia cordata 'Chameleon'(Houttuynia cordata) - perennial plant growing up to about 20 cm in height. Forms long shoots, from which the stain-covered leaves grow. It is an excellent ground cover perennial for semi-shaded locations (in lighter locations the leaves color more, while in shaded areas the leaves turn green) and moist.In our climate, the above-ground parts of plants usually freeze, so they should be cut in spring to stimulate the production of new shoots. Propagation by division in spring, cuttings prepared from fragments of shoots can also be rooted. Plant at a distance of 50 cm.

European coppice - Asarum europaeum
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl

The European Hooper(Asarum europaeum) - a domestic species, under partial protection. Reaches no more than 10 cm in height. Glossy evergreen kidney-shaped leaves with small bell-shaped flowers hidden under the leaves. When planted as a groundcover, Kopytnik grows quickly and forms an evergreen carpet. This perennial prefers a shady, moist and rich organic matter position. Propagation in spring by dividing rhizomes. Plant every 10-15 cm. Hoof plant is highly frost hardy (included in the plant hardiness zone 4) and can be grown all over Poland.
Ground elder 'Variegatum'(Aegopodium podagraria) - a plant growing up to 20 cm in height. It quickly forms a mass of green, white-edged leaves, which, however, disappear in the summer. The fading foliage is replaced by white-cream inflorescences. The elderberry is perfect as an undergrowth under large trees and shrubs. Not very picky about soil and position, grows in full sun and shade, tolerates both heavy clay soils and light sands. Reproduction by division in spring. Plant at intervals of 15 to 30 cm.

Note!Thanks to the underground runners, the ground elder grows quickly and is sometimes overly expansive. In order not to lose control over it, it is better to plant it in places with natural development boundaries (e.g. between a building wall and a path).

Spring illusion(Omphalodes verna) - a plant from southern Europe. Reaches a height of up to 20 cm. Creates overlapping shoots, from which grows heart-shaped leaves on long petioles.However, a special decoration of this plant is its azure-blue flowers, which we can admire from April to May. It is a great groundcover for sunny or semi-shaded locations. It blooms more abundantly in sunny places, but requires regular watering in the summer.

Spring illusion - Omphalodes verna
Fig. Hectonichus, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

In cultivation, humus soils are recommended, moist and rich in calcium. Propagation by division in spring after flowering or in fall. Plant at intervals of about 25 cm. It can freeze in colder regions.

Perennials for the sun

Dry, sunny, often difficult to manage places in the garden and slopes can be covered with a decorative carpet of perennials, which will not only decorate, but also suppress weeds and prevent water evaporation from the ground. Although the selection ofground cover and turf perennials for sunny placesis slightly smaller and in this group we can find interesting suggestions.
Meadow geranium(Geranium pratense) belongs to the geranium pratense family and grows in its natural state in Asia and Europe. It reaches a height of 80 cm, and green, lobed leaves and radiant flowers appearing in summer are a decoration of the geranium. The flowers can be white, pink, red, blue, purple. This perennial prefers sunny or semi-shaded positions, and the soil is fertile, well-drained and moderately moist. We reproduce the geranium by dividing clumps and seeds. It is a highly frost-resistant species. It looks best in larger groups, on rockeries, rims and in containers.

Szydlasty phlox- Phlox subulata
Fig. pixabay.com

Phlox subulata(Phlox subulata) is an evergreen perennial plant belonging to the polychrome family. It comes from North America. It creates dense carpets of densely branched stems covered with small leaves. In spring the plant is covered with delicate white, pink or purple flowers.Prefers sunny or semi-shaded positions. Shawl red phlox grows well in all types of soil, although it is most abundant in sandy and permeable soils. We reproduce phloxes by dividing clumps or cuttings. It is a frost-resistant species. Due to its creeping habit, phlox is perfect for planting slopes, retaining walls and as a ground cover plant.

Caucasian geese - Arabis alpina
Fig. Algirdas, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Caucasian geese(Arabis caucasica) - belongs to the cabbage family and occurs in its natural state in regions of the world with a temperate climate. It grows up to 15-20 cm in height. Its overlapping shoots are covered with gray-green leaves. In spring, white, delicate, radiant flowers emerge. The geese requires a sunny position and well-drained, moderately moist, not very fertile soil. We propagate it by seeds and shoot cuttings.The Caucasian geese is a frost-resistant species and is perfect for covering large areas, for rockeries, walls and for containers.
Kutnerowata(Cerastium tomentosum) - belongs to the clove family and comes from the southern part of the Apennine Peninsula and Sicily. It grows up to about 15-20 cm and forms dense, low clumps. Tiny white flowers appear in spring. Thanks to the cutter covering the leaves, the plant looks like it has been sprinkled with silver. The vagina grouse grows in permeable and barren soils. Requires a sunny location. It is propagated by seeds, shoot cuttings and dividing clumps. It is fully frost-resistant. It is a perennial perfect for rockeries, slopes, low walls, green roofs, flower meadows and flower beds.

Coastal region - Armeria maritima
Photo. Stasio, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl

Coastal anchorage(Armeria maritima) - a perennial belonging to the Plumbaginaceae family and found in Europe, Asia and North America.Reaches 20 cm in height. Forms spherical clumps of long evergreen leaves. It blooms white and pink all summer until early fall. It prefers a sunny and warm position, and the soil is permeable, quite fertile and moderately moist. The easiest way to reproduce is to divide the clumps. The coastal slurry is a fully frost-resistant species. It is a perennial perfect for dry and less fertile areas. It can cover large surfaces, walls and slopes.