Ground Covers for Georgia Landscapes

Ground covers are spreading, low-growing plants used in landscapes to cover an area of ground. They may be woody plants, like junipers, or herbaceous perennial plants, like sedum or daylilies.

Generally, ground cover plants are evergreen and spread by horizontal stems, stolons (aboveground stems that root along their nodes) or rhizomes (belowground creeping stems that spread outward). For the purposes of this publication, plants that spread by seed or are taller than 3 ft in height are not considered ground covers.

Ground covers have many practical uses. Some can be used to control erosion when planted on slopes or banks. Others are effective lawn substitutes in areas that are too shady to support the growth of grasses or areas that are difficult to mow. Densely growing ground covers also effectively control weeds by blocking light from reaching the ground.

Some ground covers can be used as attractive accents in areas too narrow to accommodate shrubs. One of the most common reasons for using ground covers is to reduce costly and time-consuming maintenance, such as mowing, edging, trimming, and mulching.

Ground covers are also valued for aesthetic reasons. They soften harsh architectural lines of buildings and paved areas. When skillfully interplanted with trees and shrubs, ground covers impart a textural balance and unity to the landscape by bridging the gaps between trees and shrubs.

Selecting Ground Covers

One of the first considerations when selecting a ground cover is whether it is cold hardy for the area in which it is to be grown. Georgia has six cold-hardiness zones, according the 2023 USDA cold-hardiness zone map. The zones are based on the average minimum temperatures of each region of the state.

Cold-Hardiness Zones in Georgia.

Zone	Range of average annual minimum temperatures (°F)
7a	0 to 5
7b	5 to 10
8a	10 to 15
8b	15 to 20
9a	20 to 25
9b	25 to 30

A second consideration is whether the ground cover prefers sun or shade. Some ground covers, like the horizontal junipers, must have sun. When planted in shade, they will grow poorly and become more susceptible to insects and diseases. Other ground covers, like cast iron plant, prefer shade and will often show foliar scorching when planted in full sun.

Another consideration is the mature height and spread of the plant. Desired height depends on the location of the ground cover in the landscape and the size of adjacent plants. How wide you can expect the plant to grow will determine how far apart plants are planted initially. Planting ground covers closer together than their recommended spacing is sometimes done to achieve a quicker cover, but it requires more plants per unit area and increases plant costs. Furthermore, when ground covers are planted too closely together they soon become crowded, compete for water and nutrients, and become more susceptible to insect and disease problems.

Planting Time

Container-grown ground covers with well-developed root systems can be planted most any time of year, provided the plants can be irrigated during establishment. Bare-rooted plants are best transplanted during the fall and winter months when temperatures are cooler, soil moisture is usually more plentiful, and plants are not actively growing.

Planting

Proper planting is important for ground covers to grow and spread rapidly. A soil test done 1 month prior to planting will determine whether lime is needed and what type of fertilizer is best. Information on soil testing is available online and from your local county Extension office.

If a soil test is not done, a general recommendation is to apply 3 lb of a complete fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-15, to the planting area prior to planting. Use a rake to incorporate the fertilizer lightly into the soil. Most Georgia soils will benefit from the addition of organic matter, like compost or composted animal manure. Organic matter helps sandy soils hold water and nutrients, and it improves the porosity and water movement in clay soils. It also provides slow-release nutrients to plants. For best results, spread organic matter 4 in. thick over the area to be planted and incorporate it to a 12-in. depth.

Competition from weeds following planting can be expected, so be prepared to hand-weed as needed while the ground cover is getting established. A mulch like pine straw, pine bark, or shredded hardwood applied 3 to 5 in. deep immediately after planting will help prevent weeds. A third option is to apply a preemergent herbicide after planting to prevent weed seeds from sprouting. Your local county Extension office can recommend a preemergent herbicide, if there is one labeled for use on the ground cover being planted.

Sometimes a combination of hand-weeding, mulching, and chemical application are necessary to keep weeds from competing with the ground cover while it is getting established. Once the ground cover spreads and shades the soil surface, weed problems should be significantly reduced.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance of ground cover plantings ensures good growth, rapid coverage, and helps prevent weed competition.

Mulch any exposed areas between the plants. Mulches conserve moisture, reduce weed competition, and help insulate plants from summer heat and winter cold. Pine straw, pinebark mini-nuggets, and shredded hardwood mulch is commonly used.
Irrigate newly planted ground covers during establishment to maintain a uniform moisture level. Once established, irrigate them on an “as needed” basis. Some ground covers, like junipers, are extremely drought tolerant once they are established and require little supplemental irrigation. It is best to base irrigation needs on plant type, appearance, growth rate, and rainfall pattern.

Newly planted ground covers are generally fertilized more frequently than well-established ground covers to encourage rapid plant establishment and spread. Apply fertilizers during the growing season (March to October) when plants are actively growing. A general-purpose fertilizer, such as 16-4-8, 10-6-4 (N-P-K), applied at 4- to 6-week intervals at a rate of 0.5 lb (16-4-8) or 1 lb (10-6-4) per 100 square feet during the growing season will encourage rapid plant establishment.

Broadcast fertilizer over the top of plants when the foliage is dry, then use a rake or broom the brush excess fertilizer off the foliage. Irrigate soon after application to dissolve the fertilizer and help it penetrate the soil. Base fertilizer applications for established plants on plant appearance and desired growth rate. Keep in mind that fertilizer stimulates new growth and may increase maintenance requirements of established plants.

Suggested Ground Covers for Georgia Landscapes

The following table shows some suggested ground covers for Georgia landscapes. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list, but includes a variety of ground covers for different landscape situations. Most of the plants listed are readily available in the nursery trade.

The table shows each plant’s cold-hardiness zone, light requirement, mature height, mature width, and growth rate under ideal cultural conditions. Additional comments that may help when selecting plants are also provided.

Common name	Botanical name	Light level	Hardi-ness zones	Mature height	Mature spread	Growth rate	Comments
Allegheny spurge,* mountain spurge	Pachysandra procumbens	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	6–10 in.	2–3 ft	Slow	Pink flowers in spring
Algerian ivy	Hedera canariensis	Partial shade to shade	8	8–10 in.	5 ft	Med.	Not as aggressive as English ivy
Asiatic jasmine	Trachelospermum asiaticum	Partial shade to shade	7, 8	3–6 in.	6 ft	Fast	Can be aggressive next to other plants
Autumn fern	Dryopteris erythrosora	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	18–24 in.	18–24 in.	Med.	Turns bronze in winter
Bishop’s hat, perennial barrenwort	Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	12 in.	18 in.	Med.	Creamy yellow flowers in spring; likes uniform moisture
Blue lyme grass	Leymus arenarius ‘Glaucus’	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	24–36 in.	3 ft	Med.	Drought tolerant
Bugleweed	Ajuga repens	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	3–6 in.	2 ft	Med.	Blue flower spikes in spring
Cast iron plant	Aspidistra elatior	Partial shade to shade	7, 8	12–24 in.	12–24 in.	Med.	A tough plant for shade
Carolina yellow jessamine**	Gelsemium sempervirens	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	12–24 in.	10 ft	Fast	Yellow flowers in spring
Christmas fern	Polystichum acrostichoides	Shade	6, 7, 8	12–24 in.	18 in.	Med.	Likes moist soil with organic matter
Comfrey	Symphytum grandiflorum	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	12–18 in.	3 ft	Med.	Creamy white flowers in spring
Common rock rose	Helianthemum nummularium	Sun	6, 7, 8	12–18 in.	3 ft	Med.	Likes dry soil; yellow cup-shaped flowers in spring
Creeping barberry*	Mahonia repens	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	12–36 in.	1–2 ft	Med.	A tough plant
Creeping raspberry	Rubus calycinoides	Sun	7, 8	6–12 in.	2–3 ft	Med.	Turns bronze in winter
Creeping thyme	Thymus serphyllum	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	4–6 in.	1–2 ft	Med.	Often used between stepping stones
Daylily	Hemerocallis sp.	Sun	6, 7, 8	18–24 in.	12–18 in.	Med.	Many colors
Dianthus	Dianthus gratianopolitanus	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	10–15 in.	12–18 in.	Med.	Pink spring flowers
Dwarf Japanese garden juniper	Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’	Sun	6, 7, 8	6–12 in.	2–3 ft	Med.	Great for rock gardens
Dwarf Japanese plum yew	Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Prostrata’	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	12–24 in.	3 ft	Med.	Deer-tolerant plant
Evergreen candytuft*	Iberis sempervirens	Sun	6, 7	6–8 in.	12–18 in.	Med.	White flowers in spring
Foamflower*	Tiarella cordifolia	Shade	6, 7, 8	6–12 in.	18–24 in.	Med.	Needs moist soil high in organic matter; white flowers in spring
Hardy ice plant	Delosperma cooperi	Sun	7, 8	12–18 in.	12–18 in.	Med.	Pink flowers in spring
Horizontal junipers (Blue Rug, Blue Chip, Bar Harbour, etc)	Juniperus horizontalis	Sun	6, 7, 8	6–12 in.	2–3 ft	Med.	Good cover for banks
Japanese spurge	Pachysandra terminalis	Partial shade to shade	6, 7	8–10 in.	2 ft	Slow	May take 3+ years to cover an area
Japanese rooftop iris	Iris tectorum	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	12 in.	2 ft	Med.	White or blue flowers in spring;  likes moisture
Lamb’s ear	Stachys byzantine	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	6–12 in.	12–18 in.	Med.	Prefers well-drained soil
Lenten rose	Helleborus orientalis	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	12–18 in.	2 ft	Med.	Many flower colors; deer tolerant
Lily of the valley**	Convallaria majalis	Partial shade to shade	6, 7	12 in.	1 ft	Med.	White, fragrant bell-shaped flowers in spring
Liriope, clumping	Liriope muscari	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	6–12 in.	1 ft	Med.	Many cultivars; variegated forms are more sun-tolerant
Mondograss	Ophiopogon japonicus	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	6–10 in.	1 ft	Med.	A dwarf form grows about 3 in. tall
New York fern**	Thelypteris noveboracensis	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	12–24 in.	2–3 ft	Med.	Thrives in moist, shaded areas
Orange coneflower*	Rudbeckia fulgida	Sun	6, 7, 8	16–24 in.	18–24 in.	Med.	Yellow flowers in spring
Plaintain lily, hosta	Hosta sp.	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	6 in.–3 ft	2–3 ft	Med.	Summer flowers; many cultivars
Plantain pussytoes**	Antennaria plantaginifolia	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	6–18 in.	6–12 in.	Slow	White fuzzy flowers in spring; thrives in poor soil
Prostrate germander	Teucrium chamaedrys var. prostratum	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	4–8 in.	2–3 ft	Med.	Pink spring flowers; drought and deer tolerant
Prostrate rosemary	Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	1–2 ft	2–3 ft	Fast	Pale blue flowers in early summer; often used in rock gardens and for trailing over walls
Shore juniper	Juniperus conferta	Sun	6, 7, 8	18–24 in.	3–5 ft	Fast	Often used on banks
Silver brochade	Artemesia stelleriana	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	12–18 in.	12–18 in.	Med.	Yellow summer flowers; deer tolerant
Southern lady fern**	Athyrium asplenioides	Shade	6, 7, 8	20–30 in.	2 ft	Med.	Plant in moist, shady woodlands
Southern maindenhair fern*	Adiantum capillus-veneris	Shade	6, 7, 8	10–20 in.	1 ft	Med.	Needs moist, organic soils
St. John’s wort*	Hypericum calycinum	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	12–18 in.	2 ft	Med.	Bright yellow flower in summer; cut back plants in late winter
Strawberry geranium	Saxifraga stolonifera	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	6–12 in.	2 ft	Fast	Likes moist, organic soil
Stonecrop	Sedum sp.	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	2–12 in.	1–2 ft	Med.	Many selections; drought tolerant
Sweet woodruff	Gallium odoratum	Partial shade to shade	6, 7, 8	6–12 in.	2–3 ft	Med.	White flowers in spring; likes consistent moisture
Thrift, moss phlox**	Phlox subulata	Sun to partial shade	6, 7, 8	3–6 in.	1–2 ft	Med.	Pink, white, or lavender flowers; often used on banks
Virginia chain fern	Woodwardia virginica	Shade	6, 7, 8	2–3 ft	3–4 ft	Med.	Plant in wet, shady areas
* = native to North America ** = native to Georgia

The original manuscript was prepared by James T. Midcap, Gary L. Wade, and Melvin P. Garber, Extension horticulturists. Revised by Gary Wade, with later revisions by Bodie Pennisi.