choosing ground cover for your garden

• a dense growing habit
• a quick growing habit, without being too invasive
• low maintenance requirements
• hardiness
• tolerance of aspect, soil and drought
• disease resistance
• the ability to discourage trampling in public areas, for instance in a park. Prickly species such as berberis are often chosen for this.

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A number of different types of plants can be used, but shrubs have the advantage of being permanent and, in some cases, evergreen. Herbaceous perennials are sometimes chosen when they retain their leaves over winter or begin growing early in the year before weeds have a chance to germinate. Plants that spread vegetatively by stolons or rhizomes are particularly useful. From a design point of view, the form the plant takes over the ground, which may range from a small, neat mound to a creeping, invasive, ground-hugging form, will also be an important factor.

Ground cover plants are typically used to:

• create a low maintenance area. This is particularly useful in parks and public recreation areas;
• provide a solution to problems areas – under trees, areas of full shade, very dry areas, and awkward banking;
• prevent soil erosion and create a barrier to control foot traffic in public areas;
• link elements of a design;
• provide a design element in their own right – for instance, a backdrop or colour contrast.