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Ground coversGround Cover Ground cover has several different uses in the garden. It can be used to reduce the plethora of weeds that may appear in the garden by covering over the space between plants where the weeds usually grow. There is a downside to that though, as weeding can become a bit more difficult when you need to remove the weeds that will grow in among the ground cover. Ground cover can also help keep the soil moisture content higher by stopping it from drying out in direct sunlight. It can also add color and texture to the garden. Much of the ground cover that is available can supply a splash of color throughout the year. Some plants have color in their leaves and then produce additional color when they flower. Being close to the ground allows the plants to stay in better condition in windy climates where they aren't as exposed as larger flowering plants. Most ground cover is very durable adding color to gardens which may be grown in conditions where other flowering plants might not survive. Some ground cover plants grow particularly well and thrive in shaded locations where other plants might struggle to survive and they generally require very little maintenance. They are also excellent for creating borders around gardens where there are taller plants or trees growing or where other plants are unable to be planted due to inefficient nutrition causing an inability to grow to their full potential. They are excellent for covering areas that are not easily accessible and would prove too hard to maintain if you attempted to grow a different type of plants there. They also create a nice display when planted in and around rocks and sculptures in the garden. And they can make a great mat when grown at the foot of a garden seat, provided you choose one that is strong enough to withstand some foot traffic. 
Silver Brocade The Artemisia ‘Silver Brocade’, Artemisia stelleriana, is a compact, silver-white, wooly perennial with a plant spread of 24-30” and a height of 15”. ‘Silver Brocade’ produces yellow flowers in early summer, (not being showy). The foliage, however, has a wonderful fragrance. This striking variety is most noticeable when planted in perennial beds and borders and in herb gardens for color and texture. ‘Silver Brocade’ likes sandy soil but needs a well-drained area and should be planted in full sun with a small amount of afternoon shade. Try ‘Silver Mound’ with Echinacea ‘Purple Coneflower’ or Rudbeckia ‘Black Eyed Susan’ to add interest in your garden or to accent fresh or dried flower arrangements.
Bigleaf Periwinkle The Bigleaf Periwinkle, Vinca major, is also known as Greater (rosy) Periwinkle, Big Perwinkle and Large Periwinkle. The plant is shrub-like and grows to 12" tall with trailing ascending stems; 1-3 feet long. The leaves are dark green and bigger than that of vinca minor. The Greater Periwinkles are an evergreen, creeping plant with long trailing or arching stems. It is usually sold as an annual in zones 3-5 otherwise perennial. It can be used on banks or in other rough locations provided soil is suitable.
Dwarf Mondo Grass Dwarf Mondo Grass, Ophiopogon japonicus, is an ornamental grass which grows to 4" in height and is closely related to the liriope. It is also known as Dwarf Lilyturf, Mondo Grass Dwarf and Monkey Grass. It spreads by underground stems or tubers. This plant is widely used in rock gardens, seashore plantings, borders and groundcovers. It is intolerant of full sun.
Japanese Spurge Oval leaves (2-4" long) appear primarily in whorls at the stem ends. Tiny white flowers in 1-2" long, terminal (hence the species name) spikes bloom in early spring. Pachysandra can be used as a lawn substitute in shaded non-traffic areas and ground cover for shade areas. It is an excellent selection for shaded areas under shallow-rooted trees. Plant 6 inches apart.
Purple Wintercreeper Euonymus Purple Wintercreeper Euonymus, Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus', also known as Wintercreeper and Wintercreeper Eunonymus, is a dense, woody-stemmed, broadleaf evergreen plant which comes in a variety of forms. It is similar in habit to English ivy, in that it spreads along the ground, rooting as it goes, until it reaches a vertical surface which it then begins to climb. It features lustrous, ovate to elliptic, dark green leaves (1-2" long) which turn dark purple in fall and winter. The flowers are at best sparse, but are usually not present. coloratus. It is also used for container plantings, massing and erosion control.
Virginia Creeper The leaves turn fiery red in fall and are very showy. The berries are blue-black, less than a half-inch across and much relished by birds. Easy to grow, the Virginia Creeper can get out of hand if not managed. Also known as Woodbine, it will send up sprouts and seed itself, and established plantings may smother shrubs and trees. Virginia creeper will thrive in most soils, in sun or partial shade, with or without a structure to climb on. When allowed to clamber over trees or other tall structures, it develops elongated leafy festoons that are especially showy.
Chameleon Plant Small white flowers appear from July to August, but sometimes hard to see because of its foliage. Being similar in shape to English Ivy, it features boldly variegated leaves of red, pink, white, green, and yellow with a plant height of 15”. Use Houttuynia ‘Chameleons’ as a ground cover, in rock gardens, with water plants or in scented gardens.
Lambs Ears Big Ears (Lamb’s Ear is not known for its flowering, but however its foliage. ) It may not look extremely good in the summer time, but will recover in the fall. It will add texture and color in rock gardens and looks wonderful with Veronica ‘Goodness Grows’, Tradescantia ‘Concord Grape’ or other purple blooming perennials.
Liriope Big Blue The Lirope 'Big Blue' is slow spreading. It is a very versatile ornamental grass that can be used as a groundcover or garden accent or even in a container. Place in location that is well drained.
Liriope Spicata Liriope gracefully fills those spots where nothing else will grow. This Lirope has 3/4" wide grass-like dark green leaves, up to 24" long.
Liriope Variegated The Liriope 'Variegated', Lirope muscari 'Variegata', also known as Lirope variegated lily-turf, is as it's name implies, a variegated border grass.
Moneywort Golden ‘Golden Moneywort’ is a great ground cover and looks wonderful planted in perennial gardens or around water gardens.
Moneywort Goldilocks An attention-getting groundcover that's also a superb addition to patio pots and hanging baskets.
Oriental Limelight The 'Oriental Limelight', Artemisia Hybrid, is a tall grower that's great in large containers.
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