Covering the last of the ground covers

Ground cover plants can add a nice finishing touch to the landscape or just replace one pest with another one. One of the ways to control ground cover is to remember that plants do not grow into dry soil unless they are xeric varieties. Control the water and you control growth.

Ground covers do not necessarily need to be ground hugging varieties. In fact, using more than one variety of plant and those having a different growing height will add dimension and richness to the planting.

Xeric plants

Silver-leaved plants tend to be xeric--drought resistant. Many of the plants that follow are xeric varieties.

Cerastium

Cerastium, called Snow-in-summer, is a silver-leaved plant that covers itself in June with white flowers. Hardy to zone 2 or 3, it likes full sun. Division helps keep it under control.

Lamium

Lamium, a member of the mint family like Lamiastrum, is called dead nettle. Hardy to Zone 3, the leaves are brushed with white in the center. It likes humus rich soil and a partial shade location.

Sedums

Sedums are a blessing in sunny sites and hardy to zones 3 and 4, depending on the variety. Low growing, brightly-colored species will grow in partial shade. They are grown for their leaf color, not their blossoms.

Campanula

Campanula portenschlagiana ‘Resholt Variety’, Resholt’s bellflower, produces a deep blue-violet bell shaped blossom. Hardy to USDA Zone 4, it is a mat-forming groundcover. It prefers sun to partial shade and grows in a dense mat. If used in a wall location it cascades down.

Saponaria

Saponaria ocymoides ‘Alba’ has a long blooming cycle, beginning in spring. Another ‘vigorous’ grower, soapwart will strangle smaller plants, so use around those that are large enough to withstand the onslaught. It likes full sun to partial shade and is not a favorite with deer. Saponaria lempergii, giant soapwort, likes a similar habitat to grow in, but blooms in late summer in a bright pink-purple.

Cerastium

Cerastium tomentosum, Snow in Summer, is silver-leaved and covers itself this time of year with white flowers. It is drought resistant, likes full sun or partial shade and stays off deer’s radar for edible plants. Hardy to zone 3, it has withstood quack grass to some extent. Once it is finished flowering, take a hedge trimmer and remove seed heads for a tidier look.

Antennaria

Antennaria rosulata, Kaibab pussytoes, is drought resistant and likes a sunny location. Adapted to western gardens, High Country Gardens’ catalog describes it as though pewter has been poured over its leaves. Flowers range from white to light pink.

Artemisia

Artemisia versicolor ‘Seafoam’, curlicue sage, has a fine silvery leaf. It has a soft silvery look and is extra drought resistant, loves sun and is repellant to rabbits and deer.

Marrubium

Marrubium rotundiflolium, silver edged horehound, has green leaves with a woolly-white underside that tips up around the edge of each leaf. Hardy to zone 4, it is a sun-loving xeric plant that rabbits won’t eat.

Paronychia

Paronychia kapela ssp. serpyllifolia, silver nailwort, is a sun loving xeric plant. High Country Gardens’ catalog describes it as closely resembling Creeping Thyme. It doesn’t mind dry winters and is hardy to zone 4. When in flower, the color has a silver look due to white bracts. It’s green during the rest of the growing season.

Tanacetum

Tanacetum densum ssp. amani, called partridge feather, is hardy to zone 4. Its silvery-green foliage is soft to touch and extremely xeric. In my garden there are areas that never receive any moisture but what Mother Nature provides and it continues to grow. The white flower buds turn to yellow buttons. Trimming after blossoming will keep it looking tidy. Hardy to zone 4, it likes sun to part shade.

Many of today’s plants listed here can be found at www.highcountrygardens.com or call 800-925-9387 for a catalog.