What is Perennial Ground Cover?
With a diverse matrix of native grasses and forbs, perennial ground cover can be adapted to almost any growing condition. It can be low-growing if desired.
Why should I plant Perennial Ground Cover?
Converting lawn into perennial ground cover offers the maximum ecological impact. In theory, you could turn your yard (or any part of it) back into a fragment of the ecosystem it used to be—meadow, prairie, or woodland—and see what sorts of pollinators and wildlife discover your new habitat. You could also choose a more “managed” look, and combine the diverse colors, textures, forms, and habits of native plants with paths, benches, water features, etc., to shape the yard of your dreams. Perennial ground cover involves the removal of turf and calls for higher levels of maintenance while establishing.
Where do you plant Perennial Ground Cover?
Areas of low foot traffic and where a non-traditional look is welcome to make great planting areas. Hillsides, shaded areas, and along the edges of a property or sides of a house or garage are all good candidates for perennial ground cover.
What plants make up Perennial Ground Cover?
Many different plants and plant palettes could be used to create perennial ground cover. Below are a handful of hardy forbs and grasses that could be used together to form an attractive and low-growing ground cover. But don’t stop there! There are hundreds of native plants that could potentially thrive in your yard. Use our plant selector tool to search for plants to fit your light and soil conditions. Talk with a landscape designer about other options or to brainstorm ideas.
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Bloom |
Height |
Sun/Shade |
Soil |
Native |
Calico Aster |
Symphotrichum lateriflorum |
white |
24″ |
both |
mesic |
Yes |
Common Blue Violet |
Viola sororia |
purple |
4″ |
both |
mesic |
Yes |
Creeping Thyme |
Thymus serpyllum |
purple |
2-4″ |
sun |
dry |
No |
Dutch White Clover |
Trifolium repens |
white |
6-12″ |
both |
dry |
No |
Ground Plum |
Astragalus crassicarpus |
purple |
12″ |
sun |
dry to mesic |
Yes |
Lanceleaf Coreopsis |
Coreopsis lanceolata |
yellow |
12-24″ |
sun |
dry |
Yes |
Prairie Groundsel |
Packera plattensis |
yellow |
12-16″ |
sun |
dry |
Yes |
Prairie Smoke |
Geum triflorum |
pink |
8″ |
sun |
dry to mesic |
Yes |
Pussytoes |
Antennaria plantaginifolia |
white |
12″ |
sun |
dry |
Yes |
Self heal |
Prunella vulgaris ssp. lanceolata |
purple |
2-12″ |
both |
mesic |
Yes |
Sweet White Violet |
Viola blanda |
white |
6″ |
shade |
mesic |
Yes |
Woodland Strawberry |
Fragaria vesca |
white |
6-10″ |
shade |
mesic |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blue Grama |
Bouteloua gracilis |
n/a |
12″ |
sun |
dry |
Yes |
Fine Fescues |
Festuca sp. |
n/a |
1-8″ |
both |
dry |
Some |
Ivory Sedge |
Carex eburnea |
n/a |
6″ |
shade |
dry to mesic |
Yes |
Path Rush |
Juncus tenuis |
n/a |
6-12″ |
sun |
dry to mesic |
Yes |
Pennsylvania Sedge |
Carex pensylvanica |
n/a |
8″ |
both |
dry to mesic |
Yes |
Prairie Junegrass |
Koeleria macrantha |
n/a |
24″ |
sun |
dry |
Yes |
Sideoats Grama |
Bouteloua curtipendula |
n/a |
24″ |
sun |
dry to mesic |
Yes |