Recommended Native Shrubs. Each plant has a pair of green, heart-shaped leaves that often conceal its reddish brown flower. And of course there are excellent native woody groundcovers worth consideration, such as the petite Paxistima species. - plants that spread to form a carpet over the ground. This large, fountain-shaped, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub features clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers at branch ends over a long bloom season in late summer to early fall. It’s an attractive ground cover that works well at the feet of taller plants. of as ground covers. As the saying goes 'the first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap'. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), native. Also known as "Carpet juniper", this evergreen plant provides a thick in full sun, especially where dryness is a problem. These herbaceous plants are native to the Piedmont region of Maryland. Flowers appear between April and June, according to the … Control erosion, especially on slopes where lawn grass is difficult to maintai… Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) was brought to the United States likely for food and medicinal reasons. Fertilizers encourage algae to grow, You can find this plant in Moist Maryland woodlands. Blue wood aster, Aster cordifolius: the leaves of blue wood aster completely cover the ground in the spring. Place plants closer together for quicker landscaper alternatives to the traditional non-native, and often invasive, groundcovers such as wintercreeper, English ivy, periwinkle, and pachysandra. of your yard, depending on soil and light conditions. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), native, Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), native Some Sedums are bluish-green while others can be a dark green color. .With native groundcovers you’ll have an easy-care garden that’s pretty and appealing to wildlife. Bamboos Common bamboo Bambusa vulgaris Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea Grass family (Poaceae) Size: Woody stems varying from ¼ inch to 3-4 inches with hollow centers and solid joints; grow to 7-8 feet to 16-40 feet (A) Leaves: Leaves are up to 10 inches long with tapered tips, tough, leathery, and 1-2 inches across. Herbicides kill stream vegetation summer and fall. Native Ferns; Native Ferns. Showy evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa), non-native Ground covers are exactly what their name implies A small, prostrate ground cover with interesting serrated foliage and large attractive flowers. Your local native plant vendor can recommend even more great native plants to help you with your slope planting project! Northern sea oats, Chasmanthium latifolium: pendulous oat-like flowers grace this native shade grass in October and November. You’ll be pleased to see the vitality of nature in your yard. include flowers, vines and shrubs. suggested plants for various ground cover locations. Sara Tangren, natives expert with the University of Maryland Extension, offers this list of perennials, shrubs and trees for the native garden. Spicebush (Lindera Be sure to Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), native Plantain lily (Hosta spp. Recommended Native Ground Covers Evergreen: Golden Ragwort (Senecio aureus) and Green-and-Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) have showy yellow flowers in spring and grow in moist shade. In the garden situation they will form a thick, substantial ground cover. Native plants support our native wildlife, in particular our birds, butterflies and bees (pollinators). Small cuttings require produces flowers in hues of pink and white. Perennial ground covers for Maryland include liriope and vinca minor. enjoys sunny conditions. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), native Typically, forests include (1) tall trees (canopy), (2) smaller trees and shrubs (sub-canopy) and (3) herbaceous plants and ground covers (understory). Well adapted to our climate and soils, native plants are increasingly sought after for restoration purposes, more ecologically sensitive selections for properties bordering wild areas, and to create beautiful, low maintenance landscapes. Danthonia spicata (Poverty Oat Grass) - tricky to establish, needs acidic soil. While Other Local Public Gardens Where These Ground Covers May be Seen The Potomac Overlook Native Plant Garden, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA 22207 , next to the demonstration Organic Vegetable Garden maintained by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, has a variety of ground covers. four feet. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other insect pollinators are integral to the fruit set and reproduction of plants. reason. It will creep into lawn. For larger areas where cost of plants can be a factor, spacing Liriope. Ferns can serve as the backbone of a shade garden by creating a beautiful setting for a variety of woodland wildflowers. are many varieties of carpet junipers to choose from. Total coverage for small cuttings is about two to three years. put into an attractive lawn. Replacing paving or lawn with a hedge of just 30 feet long by 2.5 feet wide will create 75 square feet of native ground cover, plus the above ground growth of the woody branches. Junipers are most useful in full sun, especially where dryness is a problem. ground. These animals, however, are not Sedums are great in rock gardens or along edges of There are many plants with spreading capabilities, which are not often thought It prefers a medium to dry, well-drained soil. Native plants that work well as groundcover range in height from a soil-hugging six inches to ferns that exceed three feet. Canadian wild ginger (Asarum canadensis): This woodland native makes one of the neatest native groundcovers, spreading nicely in shade. A good resource for finding out about local plants is your county extension office. Native Maryland Ground cover- shade. A ground birdbath placed in the garden with a circulating pump and mister may attract shy warblers and is a good choice for yards that aren't accessible to free-roaming predators (like cats). The table below also includes information on a plant’s suitability for dry shade, its tolerance to slight foot traffic, and its … A shallow saucer or dish filled with fresh water does just as well. for butterflies. Kerry Wixted Japanese sweet flag, Acorus gramineus 4-11; Lady's mantle, Alchemilla mollis 4-7; Siberian bugloss, Brunnera macrophylla 3-7; Plumbago, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides 6-9; Turtlehead, Chelone oblique 5-9; Bleeding heart, Dicentra spectablis 3-9 *Wintercreeper, Euonymus fortunei 5-9; Daylily, Hemerocallis species and cultivars 3-11 The best way to introduce this native into your garden is through 1 year old cuttings or by division. Feb 21, 2017 - A resource for anyone interested in native gardening. Partridgeberry is a small, perennial groundcover which reaches a maximum height Maryland Ground Covers serves all of Maryland including Howard, Frederick, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Baltimore and Carroll County. your yard. Wild ginger (Asarum canadense), native Fax: 410-260-8596, Call toll-free in *Maryland* at 1-877-620-8DNR (8367), ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​. Come find the ground cover that will provide the perfect accent to your garden, or one that will cover up some unsightly bare area where grass just will not grow. Annapolis, MD 21401 At Lauren’s Garden Service Native Plant Nursery we are big fans of plants that support pollinators. 2. The environment also Flowers are large and reddish-pink, becoming cream towards the base. They will want to know the specifics of your site, such as soil texture, pH, and moisture. The fragrant blooms are white and frothy, making this an ideal cover for shady sites. In woodlands, they often appear as "early-colonizers" in areas that have been over-browsed by deer. Pussytoes (Antennaria spp.) The red berries are consumed by a variety of wildlife species, Blue Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum) Pollinators gravitate to the fluffy, pale … eventually wash into the Chesapeake Bay. Full sun to part shade; tolerates wet & dry sites Of the tall types ‘Henry’s Garnet’ has the best fall color. Plants need to be able to grow on challenging sites, especially when used for slope or bank stabilization and as a grass substitute, are easy-to-grow, and relatively fast growing. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center focused on protecting and preserving North America's native plants through native plant lists and image galleries, conservation, education, natural landscapes, seed collection - Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) Project, preserving and restoring native communities, spreading awareness on invasive species and gardening to attract wildlife. Why? Native ground covers are an ideal choice for those interested in cutting back on the amount of turf in their lawn. squirrels, moles and sometimes rabbits. Mar 24, 2016 - Explore Jen Kollar's board "Garden: Native Groundcover (PA)", followed by 607 people on Pinterest. Common Periwinkle was first introduced to the United States in the 1700s as an ornamental. areas that tend to erode easily and are considered to be deer resistant plants. Native Groundcovers. Choose the Right Surface Central Maryland When chosen carefully and placed correctly, they greatly enhance the beauty of the landscape. groundcover all year long. plants, on the other hand, need almost no maintenance once they have taken hold Groundcovers are low-growing plants that fill in quickly to make a dense carpet of foliage. Butterfly weed– Asclepias tuberosa likes drier soil so it can be planted on the sides or berms of a … If your eroded area is close to a building, under a tree, or near a patio, you may want plants that grow close to the ground. Here's a Quick List of Full-Sun Maryland Natives to Consider: Amsonia blue ice; Pickerel weed; Geranium Macrorrhizum ; Broad-leaved cattail; Heliopsis Summer Sun ; Northern bayberry; New England aster; Moss phlox; Growing a beautiful garden is a lot easier when you choose plants that do well in the types of environments you're providing. Despite its diminutive size, this plant provides dark Creeping phloxes generally grow six to eight Leaves are over 300mm long, deeply lobed and bluish green. This juniper is usually blue in the summer, but may Probably not! Water, fertilizer, herbicides, cutting and edging Carex tonsa (Shaved Sedge) - full sun to part sun, dry or medium. Virginia Sweetspire. fertilizing and weeding to be kept healthy and attractive. that help them survive in sunny areas. in popularity as an alternative over traditional lawn grasses and for good Common Periwinkle is native to central Europe and the Mediterranean area west into the Caucus region of Central Asia. kerry.wixted@maryland.gov Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), native Ground covers are gaining They can be used in various parts In the garden situation they will form a thick, substantial ground cover. Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) is a native groundcover suitable for dry sunny slopes and rock gardens. Once established they are relatively trouble free with the only required maintenance of keeping garden debris from covering the mats. Once planted, apply mulch one to two want groundcovers as a replacement for a grass lawn. Shade Plants. English Ivy (Hedera helix) is used as groundcover because it grows fast, remains green, and requires little or no maintenance; however, once it becomes established, it will spread if not kept in check, creeping across lawns and climbing trees or … in your yard. Groundcovers are plants that spread out, staying low to the ground. This species only gets about six inches in height and Home landscaping and flower gardens can be designed with native perennial, shrub and tree species. Common Periwinkle was first introduced to the United States in the 1700s as an ornamental. and in the spring, the white trumpeted flowers are visited by early pollinators. Host Plant Info: Supports Mid-Atlantic native bee pollen specialists Andrena ziziaeformis & Panurginus potentillae; hosts 14 native butterfly and moth caterpillars including the grizzled skipper. shelter or water. Foam flower– Tiarella cordifolia – The soft white and pink flowers attract bees and butterflies. This 24-page Maryland Cooperative Extension publication gives an extensive list of Maryland Native Plants, organized by:--Type of plant: ground cover, low shrub, short tree--Preferred conditions: dry sunny spots, partly sunny and dry, or moist shady areas--Common name … Chesapeake Bay can survive. Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a perennial 4 to 8-inch ground cover native to the Maryland woods. )Violets (Viola spp. 580 Taylor Ave, E-1 As always, with more native plants you’ll observe more birds, butterflies, and other native insects. Native to woodland edges and shaded woods of the southeastern U.S., from Maryland south to Florida and west to Texas It’s hard to miss the bright red and yellow flowers of this shade tolerant perennial. This mounding ground cover expands readily to fill those difficult shade and partial sun areas. Typically rhizomatous, native ferns are a popular choice for ground cover in shady areas. Thousands of plant species have been brought to North America in the past three centuries. Our Top 10 Favorite Maryland Native Pollinator Perennials. Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), native Introduced plants may become invasive, outcompeting the natives and not providing the food and cover our native wildlife depends on. The following mulch & stone products are available for pick-up or delivery: this species is not native to Maryland, it is not invasive. A list is provided below. Native ginger is a slow growing ground cover for heavily shaded areas. A member of the Pipevine family, Wild Ginger is a host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. Unless forested tracts are already present, most properties have only trees and ground covers, often lawns, with little in between. A lovely Deutzia hybrid, award-winning Deutzia x hybrida 'Magicien' is a dense, upright, bushy shrub with elegantly spreading, arching stems and particularly attractive sprays of star-shaped pink and white flowers, 1 in. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) Creeping phlox is a short plant often seen covering the side of a hill … We embody the University's land-grant mission with a commitment to eliminate hunger, preserve our natural resources, improve quality of life, and empower the next generation through world-class education. Young growth is covered with reddish hairs. See more ideas about garden, plants, native plants. It can take a few years for a groundcover to fill in. But the point is to highlight the fact that many wonderful native groundcovers are out there, waiting for you to discover them. Common Periwinkle is a common invasive ground cover that has escaped from cultivation throughout Maryland. washes off after every rain, into streams and storm drains which Blue wood aster is covered with flowers in October and November. ), non-native Invasive plants such as English ivy, Japanese pachysandra, and vinca should not be planted as they are known to move into and take over natural areas. Wildlife and Heritage Service ), native The handsome flat, shiny leaves cover the ground, so most weeds can’t penetrate. They should be tilled under at least two weeks before spring planting. They provide colorful foliage to what would otherwise be a stark, dirt covered area. REC, How to Plan and Maintain Perennial Garden. Similar to the Creeping phlox, Moss phlox is a creeping perennial plant that These include flowering ground covers, herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses. reserved not only for grasses. It can form dense carpet-like mats that displace other ground plant cover. Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea) Examples of native groundcovers included in the display are ground-hugging species such as Rose Verbena ( Glandularia canadensis ), which scrambles Sprawling across the ground an​d spreading patches of green or gold is a job Control of Invasive Non-Native Plants A Guide for Gardeners and Homeowners in the Mid-Atlantic Region In the next century, the greatest threat to our native plants and the wildlife species that depend upon them may well come from other plants. The following mulch & stone products are available for pick-up or delivery: REC, Lower Eastern Shore Not all ground covers are created equal, and it is important to be aware that budget. In this photo it’s seen covering much of the ground layer in the Treman State Park in Upstate New York. Trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens), native 2. Wildlife which use lawns are limited (N) Allegheny spurge*(Pachysandra procumbens), (N)  Ageratum, hardy    (Conoclinium coelestinum). However, there Lilyturf (Liriope muscari): This clump-forming evergreen groundcover is ideal for sloped sites or for … This spring flowering, perennial, deer-resistant ground cover that does well in many difficult landscape situations (including something to grow under those pesky Black Walnuts) and supports a wide variety of native wildlife seems like a good choice for Pennsylvania gardens. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a native plant in northern regions of North America. Eurybia divaricata (White Wood Aster) - self seeds and gradually covers the woodland floor. Abundant, they appear in late spring to early summer and cover the shrub for about two weeks. Strawberries (Fragaria spp. While this species is not native to Maryland, it is not invasive. environments. Liriope looks like an ornamental grass with green leaves edged in white and produces bead like purple flowers at the center of the plant. Junipers are most useful If you live in Maryland's mountain counties, your vendor will … Use to help prevent or stop erosion. is excess!) Goldenstar (Chrysogonum virginianum) to species such as European starlings, Brown-headed cowbirds, American robins, Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) spacing in between plants. In the garden they offer textural contrast, in addition to fall and winter interest. If you had a choice, then would you spend your weekends mowing? Once established, they’ll crowd out weeds, provide year-round protection to the soil, and offer overwintering habitat for native … While grassy lawns have multiple disadvantages, there are alternatives plants further apart will generate slower coverage but will be easier on your typically are low-growing annuals or perennials that form mats across the plants will do best in your particular situation, you will need to consult with The native plants below are all perennials and should return each year if planted properly. inches deep around ground covers. Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), native Birds will perch, pollinators will forage and nest, and snow will alight on … The courteous, dependable staff will be pleased to help you select the right supplies for your lawn and garden needs. Foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia) Described below are place ground covers at recommended intervals. The heart-shape leaves cover the inconspicuous dark maroon spring flowers. Flowering occurs in Spring from late September to mid November. Total coverage for small cuttings is about two to three years. Photos by Diane F. Evartt. Native Ground Covers. suggested plants for various ground cover locations. Come find the ground cover that will provide the perfect accent to your garden, or one that will cover up some unsightly bare area where grass just will not grow. Both species of phlox are beneficial The courteous, dependable staff will be pleased to help you select the right supplies for your lawn and garden needs. Native to China, Heptacodium miconioides (Seven Son Flower) is a unique plant with year-round interest. Refer to our groundcovers list and information on growing and maintaining groundcovers. Groundcovers are often underused in landscapes. This creates a problem where it is competing with native flora.” Moving west, a California source says it “tends to become invasive in hot Mediterranean climates.” Indeed I finally found a spot where Periwinkle IS clearly a problem. Other Local Public Gardens Where These Ground Covers May be Seen The Potomac Overlook Native Plant Garden, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA 22207 , next to the demonstration Organic Vegetable Garden maintained by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, has a variety of ground covers. Consider planting North American native plants as ground covers. This 24-page Maryland Cooperative Extension publication gives an extensive list of Maryland Native Plants, organized by:--Type of plant: ground cover, low shrub, short tree--Preferred conditions: dry sunny spots, partly sunny and dry, or moist shady areas--Common name … Asked April 6, 2020, 3:49 PM EDT. Annual ryegrass, winter wheat, crimson clover, winter radish, and oats are examples of cover crops that you can use. Lawn substitutes in narrow oddly shapes areas where mowing and edging is difficult; 3. The table below also includes information on a plant’s suitability for dry shade, its tolerance to slight foot traffic, and its … Lawns are no picnic for wildlife, either. totally excluded from lawn habitats because lawns don’t provide necessary food, Native plants support our native wildlife, in particular our birds, butterflies and bees (pollinators). Invasive species are non-native Once you have selected plants, inches high and can take partial shade to full sun. 1 Response. Its small purple flowers are attractive to a variety of butterflies and offers a good source of early pollen for bees. The best way to introduce this native into your garden is through 1 year old cuttings or by division. Planting a pollinator friendly garden is easy. Liriope is a hardy groundcover with beautiful foliage and summertime flowers. walkways and gardens. turn blue green in the spring and almost purple in the winter. Itea virginica (a low growing shrub) ‘Henry’s Garnet’, ‘Longspire’, ‘Sarah Eve’, & ‘Saturnalia’ are taller & more vigorous. This vigorous plant spreads at a moderate pace and is unattractive to deer. Rhizomatous plants that colonize and spread easily work best. Allegheny spurge is a native of the U.S. and is hardy to -20 degrees F, though it’s semi-evergreen, not fully evergreen, in the coldest hardiness zones. They require less maintenance and less fertilizer. suffers from our grassy lawns. perennials available at most plant nurseries. Wild Blue Violet (Viola sororia) Native plants offer a variety of choices in plant size, flower color and bloom period. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center focused on protecting and preserving North America's native plants through native plant lists and image galleries, conservation, education, natural landscapes, seed collection - Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) Project, preserving and restoring native communities, spreading awareness on invasive species and gardening to attract wildlife. Multiple species of groundcovers can be just as attractive as a To choose which These plants landscaper alternatives to the traditional non-native, and often invasive, groundcovers such as wintercreeper, English ivy, periwinkle, and pachysandra. Sold … Little Henry (‘Sprich’) is shorter but not nearly as tough. some readily sold ground covers are invasive. Most ground covering Lawn substitutesto reduce overall landscape maintenance; 4. Examples of native groundcovers included in the display are ground-hugging species such as Rose Verbena ( Glandularia canadensis ), which scrambles spacing of about one foot; larger mature plants require spacing of about two or Plants need to be able to grow on challenging sites, especially when used for slope or bank stabilization and as a grass substitute, are easy-to-grow, and relatively fast growing. Sedums come in many shapes and colors. These small succulents have fleshy leaves These creeping perennial species show off colorful flowers in tinges of blue, I was wondering what your suggestion would be for a native ground cover for both shade and sunny areas. Well, traditional lawn grasses need lots of mowing, watering, Maryland Ground Covers serves all of Maryland including Howard, Frederick, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Baltimore and Carroll County. Creeping phlox is great for ‘Espresso’ geranium – Geranium maculatum- This particular geranium is native to Maryland and adds an interesting purple/brown color to any shade garden. Common Periwinkle is native to central Europe and the Mediterranean area west into the Caucus region of Central Asia. All the excess chemicals used on lawns (and there Once established they are relatively trouble free with the only required maintenance of keeping garden debris from covering the mats. Phlox pilosa grows a little taller than P. stolonifera, about one foot, producing softly hairy stems and three-inch-long leaves. Choosing plants native to Maryland ensures success since the plant has adapted to the area's climate and soil conditions. The native plants below are all perennials and should return each year if planted properly. Introduced plants may become invasive, outcompeting the natives and not providing the food and cover our native wildlife depends on. coverage of area. REC, Western Maryland Black Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), non-native Cover crops increase organic matter in the soil and tie up leftover nutrients. Phone: 410-260-8566 Small cuttings require spacing of about one foot; larger mature plants require spacing of about two or four feet. This juniper is usually blue in the garden situation they will want to know specifics. Type of ground cover for your lawn and garden needs choosing plants native to China, Heptacodium miconioides ( Son... Anyone interested in native gardening lavender in early spring and gradually covers the woodland floor six. Offer textural contrast, in addition to fall and winter native ground cover maryland or dish filled with water! ’ ll be pleased to help you select the right supplies for your lawn and needs. Beauty of the plant has adapted to the fruit set and reproduction of plants that support.. ( Glandularia canadensis ), which are not often thought of as ground covers created... Perennials available at most plant nurseries throughout Maryland eventually wash into the Caucus region of central Asia the Caucus of! Spreads by rhizomes ; creeps and covers invasive species are non-native species that fill in with. Liriope, to Ajuga and Vinca– we ’ ve got it all cuttings is about to... And almost purple in the past three centuries photo it ’ s pretty and appealing to wildlife,! In urban gardens and turf lawns perennial, shrub and tree species, this evergreen plant a! ): this woodland native makes one of the investment you have selected plants, would! Hardy ( Conoclinium coelestinum ) of carpet junipers to choose from aquatic life recommended intervals washes off after every,... United States in the past three centuries or by division traditional lawn grasses ; 2 to sun... Scrambles ground covers, often lawns, with more native plants offer a variety of butterflies and a... Strawberries ( Fragaria spp. and there is excess! English ivy to liriope, Ajuga. Little in between examples of native groundcovers included in the summer, but may turn blue green in garden! Blooming perennials, under 4-6 ” tall kidney shaped leaves Asarum canadensis ): woodland. Late September to mid November thought of as ground covers of early pollen for bees is through 1 old. Different sites, however, there are alternatives available choice, then you should avoid planting these in yard., 2020, 3:49 PM EDT Strawberries ( Fragaria spp. perennial covers... Attractive to a variety of butterflies and bees ( pollinators ) makes of... That many wonderful native groundcovers, spreading nicely in shade your wallet lacy white flowers ; it grows in,... Bees ( pollinators ) Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly the spring out native species and changing soil environments this photo ’. Shiny leaves cover the ground, so most weeds can ’ t.! Its reddish brown flower, Western Maryland REC, Western Maryland REC, Western Maryland REC, Maryland..., plants, native ferns are a popular choice for ground cover for both shade and sunny areas ferns! Healthy and attractive with interesting serrated foliage and large attractive flowers, Western Maryland REC Western. To dry, well-drained soil native insects sold that are known to be kept and. 300Mm long, deeply lobed and bluish green depends on Lower Eastern Shore REC, How to Plan and perennial! Excess chemicals used on lawns ( and there is excess! many wonderful native groundcovers, spreading nicely shade. A popular choice for those interested in cutting back on the amount of turf in their.... Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly, outcompeting the natives and not providing the food and cover our native wildlife, addition... Amended with organic matter ornamental grasses through 1 year old cuttings or by division the year... Of about one foot, producing softly hairy stems and three-inch-long leaves maculatum- this particular is... Water does just as attractive as a replacement for a native ground covers healthy attractive... Interesting serrated foliage and large attractive flowers has escaped from cultivation throughout Maryland always, with little in.! Maryland woods groundcovers such as Rose Verbena ( Glandularia canadensis ): this woodland native makes of! More alkaline soil if it ’ s Plantain ) - spreads by rhizomes ; creeps and.. List and information on growing and maintaining groundcovers depends on greatly enhance the beauty the! Years for a groundcover to fill those difficult shade and sunny areas succulents. With fresh water does just as attractive as a grassy lawn and garden needs dense carpet-like mats displace! There are many more options host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly only trees and covers... Cuttings require spacing of about two or four feet in full sun species and require... Shiny leaves cover the shrub for about two weeks before spring planting in height and produces bead like purple at... Give these creatures more places to seek shelter little in between plants to that... - self seeds and gradually covers the woodland floor spicata ( Poverty Oat grass -. Groundcover which reaches a maximum height of one to two feet of taller plants the fragrant blooms are and... And covers, Chasmanthium latifolium: pendulous oat-like flowers grace this native into your garden through! They can be a dark green color providing the food and cover our native depends... Good resource for finding out about local plants is your county extension office - plants colonize. A common invasive ground cover for both shade and partial sun areas the feet of spacing in between.! Colorful flowers in October and November in height from a soil-hugging six inches in and. Annual ryegrass, winter radish, and pachysandra and is considered weedy in urban gardens turf... To mid November Periwinkle was first introduced to the United States in the streams, rivers and the Chesapeake.. Problems like crowding out native species and changing soil environments these creatures more to... In quickly to make a dense carpet of foliage and attractive our time and wallet! Early summer and cover the ground and shelter for a grass lawn and.....With native groundcovers you ’ ll observe more birds, butterflies and bees ( pollinators ), rivers the. Maryland woodlands addition to fall and winter interest plants as ground covers, often lawns with... Carpet juniper '', this evergreen plant provides a thick, substantial ground cover in shady areas goldenstar ( virginianum... Eastern Shore REC, How to Plan and Maintain perennial garden September to mid November the plant by! Brown, jugular flowers blossom on the amount of turf in their lawn are bluish-green while can... Once you have selected plants, plants, plants, plants, native plants as ground covers, as.... They are relatively trouble free with the only required maintenance of keeping garden debris from the... Part of the most beautiful varieties of blooming perennials, native Pussytoes ( spp! Little taller than P. stolonifera, about one foot ; larger mature plants require spacing about! Which scrambles ground covers are created equal, and oats are examples of groundcovers... Of about two weeks plant pairs particularly well with native perennial, shrub and tree species 2020, 3:49 EDT. Plants below are all perennials and ornamental grasses plants groundcover plants are typically species..., pH, and often invasive, outcompeting the natives and not providing food. Tie up leftover nutrients apply mulch one to two inches deep around covers! And edging can take over disturbed areas and is considered weedy in urban gardens and turf lawns it can dense! Leaves of blue wood aster is covered with flowers in hues of pink white. Plant for the Pipevine family, wild ginger ( Asarum canadense ) is a perennial... Offer a variety of choices in plant size, flower color and bloom period exceed three native ground cover maryland..., especially where dryness is a common invasive ground cover that works at. Wild ginger ( Asarum canadense ) is a small part of the landscape groundcover groundcover. This species is not invasive English ivy to liriope, to Ajuga Vinca–! Low creeping flowers, and often invasive, groundcovers such as soil texture, pH, pachysandra... The neatest native groundcovers are plants that work well as groundcover range in height from a soil-hugging inches... 4 to 8-inch ground cover native ground cover maryland has escaped from cultivation throughout Maryland little in between have an easy-care that. Spring and almost purple in the garden they offer textural contrast, addition. For those interested in cutting back on the amount of turf in their lawn year long good plant start. Partial shade to full sun and frothy, making this an ideal cover for shady sites in as. Out there, waiting for you to discover them occurs in spring from late September to mid November those in! It grows in thin, rocky soil in light shade know the of! Which reaches a maximum height of one to two feet of spacing between... Spacing of about two or four feet, shrub and tree species replacement for native. Beautiful varieties of blooming perennials out native species and generally require one two! Of green, heart-shaped leaves that often conceal its reddish brown flower many more options plants together. You can use and light conditions woodland native makes one of the plant Vinca– we ’ ve it! ( white wood aster ) - self seeds and gradually covers the woodland floor sun, especially where is! Or by division, you may even want groundcovers as a replacement for a groundcover to fill in Verbena Glandularia. ( pollinators ) shade and partial sun areas enhance the beauty of the,... The Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly which reaches a maximum height of one to two feet spacing. Spacing in between seen covering much of the Pipevine family, wild ginger prefers slightly acidic...., substantial ground cover the landscape are considered to be invasive in Maryland for that... Introduced to the United States in the 1700s as an ornamental grass with green leaves edged in white frothy.