Groundcovers
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How to Grow Goldenstar — Chrysogonum
Goldenstar, Chrysogonum, is also known as green and gold. It is a low-growing perennial groundcover with dark green leaves and bright golden blooms. Goldenstar is attractive under the shade of trees and shrubs and in woodland gardens. Chrysogonum flowers have five rays and resemble stars. Bloom is heavy in spring and fall, but sporadic through […] More
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How to Grow Dwarf Plumbago — Ceratostigma
Ceratostigma–commonly called dwarf plumbago, sometimes called leadwort–is a low-creeping, semi-woody perennial with deep gentian blue flowers from mid-summer to autumn. It is a sturdy groundcover under the dry shade of large shrubs and trees. Leaves commonly turn deep orange in autumn adding seasonal flair to the garden. Ceratostigma is not to be confused with a […] More
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How to Grow Thyme — Thymus
Thyme is a genus of aromatic herbs or shrubby plants that belong to the mint family. There are several vrieties of thyme that are cultivated as bohyt ornamental and sweet herbs. Most have small lavender or pink flowers. They are often planted in the rock gardens, as borders in ornamental gardens, or in herb gardens. […] More
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How to Grow Bugleweed — Ajuga
Ajuga species—often called bugleweed—is a vigorous ground-hugging perennial usually grown as a ground cover. It has both showy foliage and flowers. Leaves are spoon-shaped and born in dense rosettes from green to bronze to purplish. Flowers appear in spring and summer on spikes and range from cobalt blue to bluish purple. Ajuga reptans the most […] More
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How to Grow Periwinkle — Vinca
Vinca–commonly called periwinkle–are slender stemmed evergreen subshrubs and perennials that bear lavender blue, five-petaled, pinwheel-shaped flowers above shiny dark green oval leaves. Vinca is a useful ground cover for a woodland garden, shrub border, or shady bank. There are two commonly grown species, Vinca major and Vinca minor. Vinca minor has smaller leaves and flowers […] More
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How to Grow Spanish Shawl — Heterocentron
Heterocentron–commonly called Spanish shawl–is a tropical trailing perennial with slender, reddish stems. It grows to just 4 inches (10cm) tall and has small leaves with prominent veins and bears white, pink, or purple flowers. Heterocentron is grown as a groundcover in tropical regions. The slender stems of a single plant form a mat 18 inches […] More
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How to Grow Flame Violet — Episcia
Episcia–commonly called flame violet or carpet plant–is a small evergreen tropical perennial with long slender stems that produce small plantlets at their ends. The leaves are oval and hairy. The flowers are tubular to bell-shaped, flame red or metallic pink, and appear in spring and summer. Episcia stands about 6 inches (15cm) tall. Episcia are […] More
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How to Grow Coralberry – Ardisia
Ardisia is a small evergreen shrub grown for its whorls of glossy leaves, star-shaped flowers, and lasting bright red berry-like fruits. One species, Ardisia crenata, is often grown as a holiday houseplant, a second is grown as an outdoor groundcover. Ardisia is a genus of about 150 species of evergreen shrubs. Only the two species listed below […] More
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in Groundcovers
How to Grow Sandwort – Arenaria
Arenaria–commonly called sandwort–are low evergreen perennial plants that carpet the ground with dense mats of small leaves and white flowers in spring and summer. Arenaria is a ground cover sometimes used as a lawn substitute or between stepping-stones. Arenaria is sometimes seen forming velvety green patches in rock gardens. Arenaria grows to just an inch or […] More
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in Groundcovers, Shrubs, Trees
How to Grow Juniper — Juniperus
Juniperus —commonly called junipers–is a large genus of evergreen coniferous plants, some are shrubs and some are trees. Many of them are often used landscape trees, shrubs, and ground covers. There is a form of juniper for almost every landscape use. Junipers have foliage that is needlelike or scalelike or both. Groundcovers range from 2 […] More
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in Groundcovers
How to Grow Spurge – Pachysandra
Pachysandra–sometimes called spurge–is an often grown groundcover especially under the dappled shade of trees. There are two commonly grown species of Pachysandra; both are low-growing shrubby perennials. Leaves are elliptical and dark green; flowers are tiny and off-white. Pachysandra spreads slowly via underground runners. Plants fill in nicely in less than a year when evenly […] More
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in Groundcovers
How to Grow Andromeda – Pieris
Pieris — sometimes call Andromeda–is an evergreen shrub grown for both its foliage and flowers. New spring leaf growth is bright-colored (pink to red or bronze) and then matures to a glossy dark green. Clusters of small, usually white, urn-shaped flowers appear in early spring. Flower buds for the following spring appear in autumn as greenish-pink beads; […] More
Stephen Albert
