Ground cover - evergreen plants
These are especially useful to quietly cover a large area, possibly under trees. They may have no flowers (ivies) or their variegated foliage may brighten the area. Periwinkles, for example^, have flowers in spring, and a great capacity to make uniform ground cover. For smaller, more open areas, ornamental plants can be used to make an attractive repetition of shape. Hebes such as Hebe rakaiensis, give repeating fresh green rounded shapes. Areas that are difficult to maintain, such as steep banks, can be covered with plants such as Hypericum calycinum. Many ground coverers need some maintenance, and others, such as ivy - may climb - and will need containment. Think about planting effects that appeal to you, and the time available before you make your choice.
Plants (1042)
Pleioblastus viridistriatus
Kamuro Zasa
Podocarpus
Podocarp, Yellow wood, Alpine totara
Podocarpus nivalis 'Bronze'
Alpine totara
Polypodium vulgare 'Bifido Multifidum'
Polypody, Wall fern
Polystichum
Holly fern
Polystichum makinoi
Makino's holly fern
Polystichum polyblepharum
Japanese tassel fern, Tassel fern, Bristle fern, Fern of eyelashes
Potentilla 'Arc-en-ciel'
Cinquefoil, Five finger
Potentilla 'Esta Ann'
Cinquefoil, Five finger
Potentilla 'Etna'
Cinquefoil, Five finger
Potentilla 'William Rollisson'
Potentilla alba
White cinquefoil
Potentilla aurea
Silver-leaved potentilla
Potentilla erecta
Sulphur five finger, Bloodroot, Ewe daisy, Redroot, Tormentil, Cinquefoil
Potentilla nepalensis 'Helen Jane'
Nepal cinquefoil
Potentilla nepalensis 'Shogran'
Nepal cinquefoil
Potentilla recta
Sulfur cinquefoil, Upright cinquefoil, Rough fruited cinquefoil
Potentilla recta 'Warrenii'
Sulfur cinquefoil, Upright cinquefoil, Rough fruited cinquefoil
Potentilla rupestris
Rock cinquefoil, Prairie tea
Potentilla x hopwoodiana
Hopwood's cinquefoil
Pratia angulata
Panakenake, Lawn lobelia, Heavenly stars, Angled pratia
Pratia pedunculata 'Alba'
White star creeper
Primula 'Cottage Cream'
Primrose
Primula capitata
Dense-flowered primrose
Primula polyanthus 'Supernova Cherry'
Supernova polyanthus primrose
Primula veris
Cowslip, Herb Peter, Keyflower, Fairy cups, Palsywort, St Peter's wort
Primula vulgaris
Common primrose, English primrose, Native primrose
Prunella
Selfheal, Heal all
Prunella vulgaris
Common self heal
Prunella vulgaris 'Rose Pearl'
Common selfheal
Prunus laurocerasus
Common laurel, Cherry laurel
Prunus laurocerasus 'Mount Vernon'
Common laurel, Cherry laurel
Prunus laurocerasus Low 'n' Green = 'Interlo'
Common laurel, Cherry laurel
Pulmonaria
Lungwort, Jerusalem cowslip
Pulmonaria 'Ice Ballet'
Lungwort
Pulmonaria 'Lewis Palmer'
Lungwort, Jerusalem cowslip
Pulmonaria longifolia
Narrow leaved lungwort, Joseph and Mary, Spotted dog, Longleaf lungwort
Pulmonaria longifolia 'Bertram Anderson'
Narrow leaved lungwort, Joseph and Mary, Spotted dog, Longleaf lungwort
Pulmonaria mollis
Soft lungwort
Pulmonaria obscura
Pale spotted common lungwort
Pulmonaria officinalis
Soldiers and sailors, Spotted dog, Common lungwort, Jerusalem cowslip, Virgin's tears
Pulmonaria Opal = 'Ocupol'
Lungwort
Pulmonaria rubra
Christmas cowslip, Red lungwort
Pulmonaria rubra 'Bowles's Red'
Christmas cowslip, Red lungwort
Pulmonaria saccharata
Jerusalem sage, Bethlehem sage
Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Cushion'
Firethorn, Buisson ardent, Scarlet firethorn
Reineckea carnea
Good luck plant
Rhododendron 'Arabesk'
Evergreen azalea