As a result, I suggest planting these as plugs or quart-size plants and spacing them 12 inches apart in order to get the best coverage within two seasons. Spreading by short surface rhizomes, it will fill a space slowly. ![]() Growing 4 to 6 inches tall and occasionally setting small inedible berries, it forms a dense carpet of foliage. A large mass of this plant in bloom has been known to stop the neighbors in their tracks, causing them to ring the doorbell to ask its name. Growing with the same habit as the well-known edible strawberry, barren strawberry is covered with five-petaled yellow flowers from May to June. While it’s not that commonly used, I have personally been enamored with it since I began my career. Photo: Midwest Groundcovers Barren strawberry makes a carpet of blooming foliage that stays shortīarren strawberry ( Waldsteinia ternata, Zones 4–8) is an underappreciated ground cover. This ground cover bursts into bloom in late spring and early summer. All require average soil and low to average watering once established. ![]() For more diversity, consider adding white creeping thyme ( Thymus praecox ‘Albiflorus’, Zones 4–9), which has white flowers, or silver edge thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ‘Argenteus’, Zones 5–8), which has variegated foliage and light pink flowers. Thyme can be planted as a plug or quart-size plant with individuals about 12 inches apart, or closer if you want to achieve full coverage faster. Dividing is not necessary, but you may want to thin out the carpet if it begins to spread beyond its desired boundaries. These leaves are fragrant when crushed, so walking on thyme creates an aroma whenever you cross its path. Shear the spent blooms back to keep the appearance neat and tidy, or leave them alone for a more rugged look. This foliage becomes covered in flowers that can range from purple to pink to red and that bloom from spring through midsummer. It forms a dense 2- to 4-inch-tall mat of dark evergreen leaves that you can walk on. Native to the Mediterranean region, it thrives in hot and dry conditions and average, well-drained soil. In particular, red creeping thyme ( Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus’, Zones 5–9) is up to the challenge. and cvs., Zones 4–9) makes a great ground cover. If we look to herbs, creeping thyme ( Thymus spp. Small, hot, and sunny spaces can be especially challenging for creating a lawn. Photo: Midwest Groundcovers Creeping thyme creates a dense mat of fragrant foliage Don’t be afraid to walk on red creeping thyme even when it’s in full bloom. I like to place these plants about 12 to 15 inches apart in moist, well-drained soil. This sedge is quite nice as a ground cover under darker-leaved shrubs or as a lawn in the shade where typical turfgrass has no chance to survive. If you’re looking for a variegated sedge, ‘Silver Sceptre’ sedge ( Carex ‘Silver Sceptre’, Zones 5–9) is an option that will provide a little brightness to the garden. This sedge prefers shade it will grow in full sun if it has adequate water, but it will not perform its best. Lovely as a filler under trees or large shrubs, the foliage is semi-evergreen with a delicate texture. Growing to a height of 8 to 12 inches, it can be mown up to twice a year if used as a lawn substitute, but I suggest leaving it alone so you can enjoy the cascading leaves. Native to many parts of the Midwest, it’s commonly found in partial to full shade woodlands, forest clearings, and savannahs. My favorite is Pennsylvania sedge ( Carex pensylvanica, Zones 3–8). and cvs., Zones 3–10) are the best solution in many situations. When looking for a grassy ground cover, sedges ( Carex spp. Photo: Marti Neely Sedges are the perfect grass substitute ‘Silver Sceptre’ sedge has a unique variegation that’s very noticeable even on its narrow, small blades. Here are a few of my favorites, each with its own unique character. Some are quite short and may only need dead blossoms sheared off others can just be left alone. Plants used as a living mulch or lawn substitute need a tighter spacing, often 8 to 12 inches apart, so they may grow together quickly to create a soft and thick carpet. That is not the same thing as overplanting or planting too closely. ![]() I have always been a proponent of planting thickly and in masses. These plants make great lawn substitutes, but they also work in bare spots of the garden as living mulches. Perhaps we should look past traditional, high-maintenance lawns to alternative plants that cover ground. Water is becoming a resource that is more precious and at times limited. I have learned over the years that there are many ways to achieve these goals. Full coverage of the soil has the added benefits of suppressing unwanted weeds and retaining soil moisture. I think gardens look best when the ground is covered with either lush growth or an appropriate natural mulch to cover barren soil.
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