Ardesia Japonica
Ardesia Japonica is an evergreen groundcover introduced from Japan and China. It is a low-growing, ground cover that typically grows to a height of about 8 inches. As it spreads, it makes a dense mat of foliage, and grows best in partial to full shade. Excess afternoon sun may cause foliar burn. Mature foliage is dark green, but new growth in the spring may be light green, copper or bronze. Leaves are thick, glossy, leathery, and the margins are finely serrate. Small, pale-pink flowers are preceded by buds in June, and flowers are present during July and August.
- Maintenance: Low
- Form: Low, matting
- Size: 12” tall, spreading
- Exposure: Full to part Shade
- Soil: Well-drained
Cast Iron Plant
The cast iron plant is a hardy evergreen and Southern Heritage plant, traditionally seen in large rings around Southern Live Oaks, and is known for its dark green, broad, leathery leaves. It thrives in low light and is highly tolerant of neglect, making it a popular choice for areas with no irrigation and dense shade. They will scald if planted in too much sun, and must have the brown/yellow leaves trimmed out on a regular basis in order to look their best.
- Maintenance: Low
- Form: Upright, strap leaf
- Size: 24” tall, spreading
- Exposure: Full to part Shade
- Soil: Well-drained
Juniper Blue Pacific
The Blue Pacific Juniper is an evergreen, ground-hugging conifer with dense green foliage. It stays low to ground at about 1 foot, but spreads quickly and can reach a width of 4 feet. The foliage is green during the growing season, turning a gray-green In the winter. The Blue Pacific Juniper has an overall feathery look to it with sharp-tipped soft needles, and is loved for its weeping branches when seen hanging over walls and boulders.
- Maintenance: Low
- Form: Low, Spreading
- Size: 8”-12” tall, spreading
- Exposure: Full to part Sun
- Soil: Well-drained
Liriope Big Blue
The Big Blue Liriope is a great perennial for groundcover or border plantings that emits showy flower spikes of lavender flowers in late summer. Flowers transform to black berries late in the fall going into winter. It is also very hardy with no insect or disease problems. Growth starts late spring and continues all the way through fall, and flower spikes will usually last up to 2 months. Although many people often mistakenly call it Monkey Grass, the two are not the same. Monkey Grass has thin wiry foliage, while Liriope has thicker leaves and puts out a larger, purple bloom.
- Maintenance: Low
- Form: Low, Spreading
- Size: 8”-12” tall, spreading
- Exposure: Full Sun to Shade
- Soil: Well-drained
Monkey Grass
Monkey grass has been a long time favorite among Southern Heritage gardeners. It’s easy to find, simple to care for, is evergreen, and tolerates heat. It’s tough too. Tolerant of shallow soil, drought, dogs, and deer, and can survive the occasional crushing by car tires, bicycles, and the disoriented FedEx guy. Because it grows thick and mat-like, weeds rarely become a problem. We prefer to plant it in shady areas, where it won’t scald and will have less weeds.
- Maintenance: Low
- Form: Low, Spreading
- Size: 8” tall, spreading
- Exposure: Partial Sun to Partial Shade
- Soil: Well-drained
Dwarf Mondo Grass
Dwarf Mondo grass, the little brother of Monkey Grass, is an evergreen plant that is considered a shade plant, adaptable to a wide range of light intensities. Mondo grass is a great alternative to traditional grass lawns, especially in areas where grass struggles to thrive. It’s also a favorite to use around meandering Flagstone walkways.
- Maintenance: Low
- Form: Low, Spreading
- Size: 4” tall, spreading
- Exposure: Partial Sun to Shade
- Soil: Well-drained
Pink Indigo
Pink Indigo, also called False Indigo, can grow in full sun, but can also tolerate some shade. Once established, it can also tolerate some drought. While Indigo completely defoliates each year, this is a good time to cut it back all the way to the ground to keep it compact throughout the year. It is perhaps best noted for producing a very long bloom (May to September) of attractive pink flowers that droop downward.
- Maintenance: Average
- Form: Sprawling, Spreading
- Size: 18”-24” x 18”-24”
- Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
- Soil: Well-drained
Prostrate Rosemary
Prostrate or Creeping Rosemary is a fast growing, hardy perennial. It has the same attractive flowers and classic aroma as common rosemary, but grows low and spreads along the ground, making it an excellent ground cover, and is great to use in rock gardens or at the edge of large containers or in hanging baskets. Prostrate Rosemary loves moist, well drained soil, and lots of sun, and is drought tolerant. It will not survive in wet soils. Not only is this plant handy for the kitchen garden, it looks stunning as well!
- Maintenance: Average
- Form: Sprawling, Spreading
- Size: 18” x 24”
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained
Sandy Fig
This groundcover grows to around 6″ tall and can reach 5′ in length. This ivy will grow in sun or shade and does not climb. It stays short and tight where it gets sun, but will grow taller in the shade. Works well as a groundcover or plant it in a container to spill over the sides for added interest to a specimen plant. New leaves emerge as bright green and then transition to an eye-catching dark emerald green as the plant matures. Sandy Fig dies back in winter, but comes back every spring.
- Maintenance: Average
- Form: Sprawling, Spreading
- Size: 6” x 24”
- Exposure: Full Sun to Shade
- Soil: Well-drained
