Groundcovers
It is important to choose the right ground cover to fit your needs and the site requirements. Our groundcover sections are organized according to requirements such as evergreen, paths and drought tolerant to make your selection process easier.
Groundcovers are…
- Low maintenance lawn alternative
- Help suppress weeds
- Fill in spaces between stepping stones and pavers
- Help prevent erosion
- Perennial spillers for containers
- Plant around taller plants to add color and substance
- Help retain soil moisture in summer
- Spill over rock walls and around boulders
Groundcovers at Portland Nursery
Groundcovers for Sun
We have put together a number of lists to help you in your selection of groundcovers. This first section includes groundcovers that thrive in sun.
You will find lists for groundcovers that can be used to create paths or become a lawn substitute. Also, you can find fast growing, evergreen, and drought tolerant groundcovers listed.
See our feature on Vinca Major & Vinca Minor
Groundcovers for Shade
The lists in this area will help with your selection of shade groundcovers. We have added lists that are particular to the hard to fill shade areas.
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5050 SE Stark, Portland, OR
9000 SE Division, Portland, OR
Groundcover FAQs
What are groundcovers?
The term "groundcover" includes low-growing plants that never reach more than a couple of inches in height as well as others that might grow as tall as two feet or more.
Most of these plants spread easily, which is why they're called "groundcovers."
What maintenance is needed?
The only maintenance required is to snip off the runners or simply walk on the plants.
many gardeners relied on ground covers to serve some of the same functions as mulch
What makes a plant a ground cover?
Just about any spreading perennial can be used as a ground cover, and even clump-formers can be planted en-masse to create the same effect.
Begin your search for ground covers by observing what grows well now in the yard. If you have areas with many happy astilbes or hostas, why not plant more to create a ground cover?
