Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 2.0 - 00001570
01/01/98
Ground covers can be suitable substitutes for lawn grasses in the shade. Ground covers are also used on banks or slopes where mowing is difficult.
Ground covers should be selected with care. First, the plant selected must be adapted to the site if it is to grow and cover the area. Second, the plant selected should not be so vigorous so as to escape and become a weed.
All ground covers require an establishment period which can take from 1 to 3 growing seasons. During this time the planting will need weeding until the ground cover suppresses the weeds. The closer the plants are spaced, the sooner they will cover the area completely.
Examples of plants that make good ground covers are myrtle, ajuga, Epimedium, daylily, pachysandra, lungwort, lily-of-the-valley, dragon's blood sedum, wooly speedwell, baltic ivy and creeping junipers.
Some plants to avoid are perennial Euphorbia, mossy stonecrop, mints and bishops weed or goutweed.