Vines, Creepers, Perennials, Grass and Ferns: Ground Covers
Choose another category
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Kinnikinnick or Bearberry is a valuable groundcover native to the Pacific Northwest. Bright, glossy green leaves, 2-3cm long with pinkish flowers in spring and bright red berries in fall and winter.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 'Vancouver Jade'
Kinnikinnick or Bearberry is a valuable groundcover native to the Pacific Northwest. It will endure harsh conditions. Vancouver Jade is an introduction of the University of British Columbia: it spreads more evenly and quicker than the species. Bright, glossy green leaves, 2-3cm long with pinkish flowers on semi-upright branches in spring and bright red berries in fall and winter.
Cornus canadensis
Bunchberry is a deciduous carpet-like plant related to Dogwood. Deep rich green 2.5 to 5cm long leaves turning yellow in fall. Small, compact clusters of tiny white flowers surrounded by 4 oval, pure white bracts. Clusters of small, shiny, bright red fruit in August and September. Requires moist, acid soils and a cool atmosphere in partial or full shade. Native; woodland.
Cotoneaster dammeri
Bearberry* (Cotoneaster) is an excellent ground cover as it is very prostrate and wide-spreading. Oval or oblovate leaves 2.5-4cm long, reddish-brown stems can become "twiggy" but cotoneaster takes well to pruning. Covered with white flowers in spring (May) with Hawthorne-like flowers. By fall the berries have ripened to a showy bright red. *Note: Arctostaphylos which is also referred to as "Bearberry" has dangly bellflowers
Cotoneaster dammeri 'Lowfast'
Lowfast is an extremely hardy Bearberry with good, dark glossy green foliage and bright red berries in fall. See also: Cotoneaster dammeri.
Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n Gold'
Emerald 'n Gold Euonymus is an outstanding evergreen ground cover (or small climber) with bright yellow and green variegated foliage, tinged pink in winter.
Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety'
Emerald Gaiety is an evergreen plant used mainly as a groundcover, although it will climb if there is support available! Small deep green leaves are edged with white and tinged pink in winter.
Fragaria chiloensis
Coastal Strawberry has shiny, dark green tri-foliate leaves on horizontal, creeping red, hairy runners. Large, 5-petaled white flowers with yellow centre produce strawberries on female plants. Native to the Pacific Coast.
Gaultheria procumbens
Wintergreen or Checkerberry is a low evergreen creeper with branches to 15cm tall (rhizomes). Shiny green leaves are clustered towards the tips of these branches. Small, urn-shaped white to pale pink flowers in summer followed by scarlet berries in late summer, persisting into winter. Leaves and berries have the fragrance of wintergreen. Adaptable, but prefers partial shade and acidic soils. Evergreen, native (Eastern).
Gaultheria shallon
Salal is an excellent ground cover under trees or tall shrubs and is native to Pacific Westcoast. Its leathery, dark green foliage is greatly valued by florists. From March to June, bell-shaped, white or pinkish flowers will appear on reddish stemmed racemes followed by blue-black berries in summer. Best grown in well-drained, loamy acidic soil in part shade or part sun, but very adaptable to any growing conditions. Evergreen, native, woodland.
Hypericum calycinum
Hypericum calycinum is commonly known as St. John's Wort and is a deciduous shrub with dark green foliage. It is native to Souther Europe and Southwestern Asia and makes a wonderful ground cover that displays bright yellow flowers.
Pachysandra terminalis
Japanese Spurge is an evergreen used as a groundcover in the shade with clusters of dark green leaves that get yellowish (chlorotic) in the sun. Small fragrant white fower spikes in summer are followed (sometimes) by white fruit. Flowers and fruit are not of any landscape value.
Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Sheen'
Green Sheen Japanese Spurge is an excellent groundcover for shady areas. Dark, very shiny green foliage, a little smaller than the species and more tolerant of higher temperatures. Spreads by underground stems.
Rubus calycinoides
Creeping Raspberry or Ornamental Bramble (syn. Rubus pentalobus) has attractive green foliage (looks somewhat like a miniature "wrinkled leathery maple leaf" with stubby points), and tan pubescent underneath. The stems have small prickles. Very durable plant. Can spread 30cm/year and becomes very dense. Small, white flowers are followed by bright yellow-orange fruit. Vivid red fall colouring. Can be evergree in mild climates. Drought tolerant
Vinca minor 'Alba'
Vinca minor is commonly known as Periwinkle and is a commonly used evergreen ground cover. It grows to form a cover of dense glossy dark green leaves that are punctuated by pleasant blossoms of pearly white flowers.
Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea'
The Atropurpurea cultivar of the Vinca minor is a purple flowred Periwinkle and is commonly known as a Dwarf Periwinkle. It forms a mat of glossy green leaves and displays striking blooms of purple flowers.
Vinca minor
Dwarf Periwinkle has long trailing stems that root as they spread. Broad based, oval, glossy dark green leaves. Short, flowering branches carry lavender-blue solitairy flowers (5 fused pinwheel-like petals) 2.5cm across. Considered invasive
Vinca minor 'Mrs Bowles'
The Mrs. Bowles cultivar of the vinca minor is commonly known as a Dwarf Periwinkle. The plant grows a large groundcover with glossy green leaves. With strikingly beautiul flowers that rise just above the foliage.
Vaccinium vitis-idaea minus
Dwarf Lingonberry (aka Partridgeberry, Mountain Cranberry) is a dwarf , native North American shrub growing from coast to coast to the Arctic Regions. Small evergreen foliage. Covered with pink (creamy-white to bright pink) flowers in spring that produce bright red, edible, large pea-size berries.