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)
Lysimachia
Loosestrife
Mahonia aquifolium 'Apollo'
Oregon grape, Holly grape, Holly leaved barberry
Milium effusum 'Aureum'
Millet, Bowles's golden grass, Wood millet, Woodrush
Nandina Blush Pink = 'aka'
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo
Nandina domestica
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo, Nanten
Nandina domestica 'Fire Power'
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo, Nanten
Nandina domestica Magical Lemon and Lime = 'Lemlin'
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo
Osteospermum
African daisy
Pachysandra terminalis
Japanese pachysandra, Japanese spurge
Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Carpet'
Japanese pachysandra, Japanese spurge
Pennisetum
Fountain grass
Penstemon
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'White Bedder'
Beard tongue
Phalaris
Canary grass
Phlox
Phygelius
Figwort
Phygelius x rectus Somerford Funfair Wine = 'Yapwin'
Figwort, Hybrid figwort
Pieris
Lily-of-the-Valley bush
Pittosporum
Parchment bark
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball'
Tawhiwhi, Kohuhu
Polystichum tsussimense
Tsus-shima holly fern, Korean rock fern, Dwarf holly fern
Potentilla
Cinquefoil, Five finger
Primula
Primrose
Prunus
Cherry
Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign'
Lungwort, Jerusalem cowslip
Pyracantha
Firethorn
Rhododendron
Rhododendron 'Bengal'
Rhododendron 'Fumiko'
Azalea
Rhododendron 'Kazuko'
Evergreen azalea
Rhododendron 'Madame Ad. van Hecke'
Evergreen azalea
Rhododendron 'Silver Sword'
Evergreen azalea
Rhododendron impeditum
Tangled rhodendron
Rubus
Blackberry, Bramble
Salvia
Sage
Sarcococca hookeriana Winter Gem = 'Pmoore03'
Sweet box, Christmas box
Saxifraga
Saxifrage
Scabiosa
Pincushion flower, Scabious, Mourning bride
Sedum
Stonecrop
Sedum 'Mr Goodbud'
Mr Goodbud stonecrop
Skimmia
Skimmia japonica 'Finchy'
Skimmia japonica 'Magic Marlot'
Skimmia japonica 'Olympic Flame'
Skimmia japonica 'Temptation'
Japanese skimmia
Skimmia japonica 'Thereza'
Skimmia japonica 'Wakehurst White'
Skimmia japonica Seduction = 'Redbolwi'
Japanese skimmia