Choosing the Best Native Groundcovers for Your Region

Choosing the right native groundcover for your region can be a bit overwhelming, especially with so many options available.

In the southeastern United States, plants like creeping thyme and wild ginger are great choices because they thrive in the region's warm and humid climate.

Creeping thyme is a low-maintenance option that can handle heavy foot traffic and requires minimal watering.

For areas with poor soil, consider using wild ginger, which can tolerate a range of soil conditions.

Native groundcovers are the foundation layer of native plant landscaping, providing a natural cover below the plants that rise above them in the middle and upper layers of a landscape.

These plants mimic the way plants grow in the wild with layered canopies, making for more dramatic and beautiful landscaping. They can range in height from an inch to four feet and come in a variety of textures and colors.

Properly taken care of, native groundcovers provide dense soil cover, retard weed growth, and prevent soil erosion. They can also support a greater diversity of insects and other wildlife species.

Take a look at this: Groundcovers Plants

Some favorite deciduous natives for shady or partially shady areas include Common Wild Ginger, Southern Lady Fern, and Sensitive Fern. These plants thrive in areas with dappled sunlight and can add a touch of elegance to any landscape.

If you're looking for native groundcovers that can tolerate winter winds or have a southern-facing exposure, consider Tiarella cordifolia, Chrysogonum virginianum, and Heuchera americana. These plants are perfect for areas that receive full sun and can provide a pop of color in the winter months.

Here are some popular native groundcovers that are perfect for different landscape conditions:

Remember to plant a mix of species to ensure adequate coverage and diversity in your landscape. This will not only create a beautiful and thriving ecosystem but also support the local wildlife.

Chamaecrista fasciculata, Common Partridge Pea, is an annual groundcover that readily re-seeds itself, making it a great option for areas that need quick coverage.

Some native groundcovers can tolerate drought, temporary flooding, and overwatering, such as Salvia lyrata, Lyre-leaf Sage, which is an excellent alternative to Ajuga.

For shaded landscapes, Asarum canadense, Common Wild Ginger, is a good low groundcover option with beautiful heart-shaped velvety green leaves.

Here are some popular native groundcovers:

Common & Canadian Wild Ginger is a great choice for a native groundcover. It's a low-maintenance option for shaded areas, spreading by rhizomes in ideal conditions.

This plant prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate part shade to full shade. It's perfect for creating a green carpet in shady areas, preserving soil moisture and blocking weeds.

One thing to note is that wild ginger needs rich soil to thrive, so avoid planting it in heavy clay. In spring, it produces inconspicuous reddish flowers that bloom underneath the foliage, making it a lovely surprise.

Here are some key characteristics of Common & Canadian Wild Ginger:

If you're looking for a groundcover that will spread over time, wild ginger is a good choice. It may take a while to establish, but once it does, it will spread and create a beautiful, dense habit.

Native groundcovers are a great way to add some color and texture to your garden without taking up too much space. They're also perfect for filling in gaps between plants and preventing weeds from growing.

Some native groundcovers, like the Green-and-Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), are low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of conditions. They prefer part shade and moist to dry soil, making them a great choice for woodland gardens.

If you're looking for a groundcover that can handle foot traffic, the Seersucker Sedge (Carex plantaginea) is a great option. It's evergreen and can tolerate full sun to part shade, but be sure to provide it with regular supplemental water.

For a more dramatic effect, consider planting the Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata) or the Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia). Both of these groundcovers are aggressive and will spread quickly, but they're also great at attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects.

Discover more: Groundcovers for Shade Zone 6

Here are some key characteristics of native groundcovers to keep in mind:

Keep in mind that some native groundcovers, like the Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), are low-growing and spread quickly by runners. They're perfect for filling in gaps between plants and creating a lush, carpet-like effect.

When choosing a native groundcover, consider the level of maintenance you're willing to commit to. Some groundcovers, like the Dwarf Crested Iris, may require more frequent division and replanting, while others, like the Golden Groundsel, are truly low-maintenance.

Ultimately, the right native groundcover for you will depend on your specific climate, soil type, and level of maintenance. Be sure to research and choose a groundcover that will thrive in your garden and provide the benefits you're looking for.

The White Wood Aster is a real showstopper in the shade. It grows up to three feet tall, making it one of the tallest flowering plants in this group.

This plant thrives in dry shade conditions, and its dark green leaves and dainty white flowers practically glow in the shade when it blooms in late summer. It's also quite resilient and handsome, making it a favorite of mine.

Asters are known to be aggressive self-sowers in garden conditions, and the White Wood Aster is no exception. It spreads by rhizomes, so be prepared for it to multiply.

The dainty masses of flowers attract tiny insects, which is a great benefit for your garden ecosystem.

Check this out: Groundcovers for Shade

Virginia Creeper is an adaptable deciduous vine that rapidly carpets an area, providing hiding places for small critters and beautiful foliage in autumn.

It can thrive in a range of light conditions, from sun to shade, and can tolerate wet to very dry soil moisture.

Virginia Creeper is a great ground cover because it supports butterfly and moth caterpillars, including our delightful hummingbird moths.

It's also a good choice if you want to attract fall migrating birds, as it produces fruit in sync with their migrations.

However, be aware that the fruit is highly toxic when eaten by people.

Deer and rabbits may browse the foliage, but there's never a shortage of leaves.

You can keep Virginia Creeper in check by cutting back the vines periodically, as I do on the side of my property where it grows in dappled shade.

It climbs by tendrils with adhesive tips, so it doesn't need support and won't damage walls.

Native groundcovers can thrive in a variety of conditions, making them a versatile choice for many landscapes. For example, the Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) is a great option for areas with full sun, as long as it's provided with adequate moisture.

In shaded landscapes, consider using the Common Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), which has beautiful heart-shaped velvety green leaves. This low-growing groundcover is perfect for woodlands and shaded areas.

If you're looking for a groundcover that can tolerate drought, temporary flooding, and overwatering, the Lyre-leaf Sage (Salvia lyrata) is an excellent choice. It's an excellent native alternative to Ajuga and can thrive in a variety of conditions.

Planting ground covers is a great way to add some beauty and functionality to your outdoor space. Aesthetics is one reason why we choose ground covers - they can soften hardscapes like walks, steps, and driveways, and create a natural, effortless look.

Erosion control is another important reason to plant ground covers. They provide dense soil cover, which helps prevent soil erosion and retain moisture in the soil.

Lower maintenance is a significant benefit of ground covers. They require less mowing, watering, and fertilizing compared to traditional lawns, making them a great option for busy people or those who want to reduce their environmental impact.

Weed suppression is also a key advantage of ground covers. They can outcompete weeds for resources, reducing the need for herbicides and other chemicals.

Finally, ground covers can provide a habitat for wildlife. They support a greater diversity of insects and other wildlife species, making them a great choice for nature lovers and those who want to attract local wildlife to their yard.

Here are some common reasons why we choose ground covers:

If you're looking for easy native shade plants for your garden, consider the following options.

Asarum canadense, Common Wild Ginger, is a good low groundcover for woodlands and shaded landscapes. Its beautiful heart-shaped velvety green leaves make it a great choice.

For areas with temporary flooding or overwatering, Salvia lyrata, Lyre-leaf Sage, is an excellent option. It tolerates drought, temporary flooding, and overwatering, making it a versatile choice.

If you're looking for a plant that will re-seed itself, Chamaecrista fasciculata, Common Partridge Pea, is a great option. Although it's an annual, it very readily re-seeds itself.

Some other options to consider include:

If you're a sun lover, you'll want to choose a groundcover that can handle full sun to partial shade.

Some good options for sun-loving groundcovers include Creeping Thyme, which can tolerate up to 6 hours of direct sunlight.

These types of groundcovers are perfect for areas with good drainage, like slopes or hills.

Creeping Thyme is also drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for water-conscious gardeners.

This means it can survive with minimal watering, making it a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners.

If you're looking for native groundcovers for your region, there are several species to consider.

For Southeastern Virginia, some great options include the Common Partridge Pea, which is an annual that readily re-seeds itself, and the Thimbleweed, which matures to a cottony tuft after frost.

In woodlands and shaded landscapes, the Common Wild Ginger is a good choice, with beautiful heart-shaped velvety green leaves.

If you're looking for something a bit more unique, the Partridge-Berry is a most attractive, dainty, woodland creeper that can be used as a groundcover under acid-loving shrubs.

If you live in Northern Virginia, you can check out the Plant NOVA Natives campaign's groundcovers webpage for a list of species.

Here are some native groundcovers to consider for Southeastern Virginia:

Native groundcovers are a great way to add some greenery to your yard without sacrificing too much space. Chamaecrista fasciculata, or Common Partridge Pea, is a low-maintenance option that readily re-seeds itself.

If you're looking for a groundcover that can thrive in shaded landscapes, Asarum canadense, or Common Wild Ginger, is an excellent choice. Its heart-shaped leaves are beautiful and velvety green.

For a dainty, woodland creeper, consider Mitchella repens, or Partridge-Berry. It's perfect for using as a groundcover under acid-loving shrubs and in terraria during the winter.

Some groundcovers, like Salvia lyrata, or Lyre-leaf Sage, are incredibly versatile and can tolerate drought, temporary flooding, and overwatering. They're an excellent native alternative to Ajuga.

Here are some of the native groundcovers mentioned in the article, grouped by their growth habits:

Viola sororia, or Common Blue Violet, is a great option if you want a groundcover that will tolerate full-sun if provided with adequate moisture. It's also deer resistant.

The Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) is a great choice for a native groundcover, as it's a host plant for the fritillary butterfly and readily disperses and spreads.

It's a low-maintenance option that will tolerate full-sun if provided with adequate moisture, and it's even deer resistant.

Chamaecrista fasciculata, or the Common Partridge Pea, is another annual groundcover that readily re-seeds itself, making it a great choice for areas that need a quick fill-in.

Some groundcovers, like Asarum canadense (Common Wild Ginger), are perfect for woodlands and shaded landscapes, with beautiful heart-shaped velvety green leaves.

For areas with poor soil, the Lyre-leaf Sage (Salvia lyrata) is a great option, as it tolerates drought, temporary flooding, and overwatering.

Here are some easy native groundcovers to consider: