Recommended Groundcover

from Recommended Plants for Rockwall County by Rockwall Master Gardeners Association. To download the whole book click here or just browse from the categories at left.

	Asiatic Jasmine Trachelospermum asiaticum (6 - 12 inches) Sun, part sun, or shade. Height 6 - 12 inches. Glossy green evergreen leaves about nickel-sized. Spreads rapidly by long, trailing runners. Plant as early in growing season as possible, since much of plants' growth occurs in spring. Needs to be pruned in late winter.

	Carpet Bugle Ajuga reptans (0 inches) A good evergreen groundcover for a shaded area although it can take sun if it receives adequate moisture. Leaves mostly basal, dark green. Flowers are irregular and 2-lipped, in close clusters or spikes, blooming in spring or early summer.

Mondo Grass Ophiopogon japonicus (9 inches) A good sod-forming ground cover, to 9 in. high. Leaves dark green, 8 - 16in. long, arising from under ground stolons, the roots bearing small tubers Flowers light lilac, 1/4in. long. Fruit pea-size, blue. Grows best in sun or shade. Mow planting in late winter, before growth begins, to remove foliage damaged by cold. Dwarf Mondo Grass is similar but only 3in. high with no flowers or berries. A nice groundcover between flagstone. Grows well in shade. Will sun scorch.

	Periwinkle Vinca major (18 inches) An evergreen groundcover that makes a thick carpet of trailing stems, mounding to 18in. high, usually less. Leaves are heart-shaped at base, dark green. New growth in spring is intensely bright green. Flowers blue, 1 - 2in. wide. Should be mowed down in late winter. Partial shade to shade.