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)
Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesiana
Reeve's skimmia, Japanese skimmia
Stachys byzantina
Lambs tongue, Lamb's tails, Woolly betony, Lambs ears, Woolly woundwort
Stipa tenuissima 'Pony Tails'
Mexican hair grass
Tiarella
Foamflower, False mitrewort
Vaccinium
Bilberry, Blueberry, Cranberry
Veronica
Speedwell, Bird's eye
Vinca
Periwinkle, Trailing myrtle
Vinca major 'Variegata'
Greater periwinkle, Band plant, Running myrtle, Large periwinkle, Band plant
Vinca major 'Wojos Jem'
Greater periwinkle, Large periwinkle
Vinca minor
Lesser periwinkle, Lesser creeping myrtle, Common perwinkle
Viola
Pansy
X heucherella
Foamy bells
x Heucherella 'Redstone Falls'
Foamy bells
Acaena microphylla
Red mountan bidi bidi, Red bidi bidi, Redspine sheepburr
Acaena microphylla 'Kuppferteppich'
Red mountan bidi bidi, Red bidi bidi, Redspine sheepburr
Acaena saccaticupula 'Blue Haze'
Pouched cupula, New Zealand burr
Acantholimon ulicinum
Gorse like prickly thrift
Acanthus 'Summer Beauty'
Spiny bear's breeches
Achillea 'Martina'
Ornamental yarrow
Achillea clavennae
Silvery milfoil, White spikenard
Achillea sibirica 'Love Parade'
Siberian yarrow
Achillea tomentosa 'Goldie'
Alpine yarrow, Woolly-haired yarrow
Achillea x lewisii 'King Edward'
Ornamental yarrow
Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum'
Ground elder, Variegated ground elder, Goutweed, Herb gerard, Bishop's weed, Ashweed, Ground ash
Aethionema 'Warley Rose'
Stonecress, Burnt candytuft
Ajuga 'Best Buddies™ Caramel'
Bugle
Ajuga 'Best Buddies™ Espresso'
Bugle
Ajuga 'Best Buddies™ Lime'
Bugle
Ajuga 'Best Buddies™ Toffee'
Bugle
Ajuga 'Feathered Friends Fancy Finch'
Bugle, Bugleweed
Ajuga 'Pink Lightning'
Bugle
Ajuga genevensis
Blue bugle, Upright bugle, Geneva bugle
Ajuga reptans
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Atropurpurea'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Blueberry Muffin'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Catlin's Giant'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Golden Glow'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Jungle Beauty'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Mahogany'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Multicolor'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans 'Variegata'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans f. albiflora 'Alba'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Ajuga reptans Party Colours = 'Binparcol'
Common bugle, Carpet bugle, Sicklewort, Carpenter's herb
Alchemilla erythropoda
Scalloped lady's mantle
Alchemilla fulgens
Pyrenees lady's mantle
Alchemilla glaucescens
Small lady's mantle
Alchemilla speciosa
Handsome lady's mantle