Best ground covers are low-maintenance

February 13, 2011|Christine Winter Juneau, On gardening

The simplest definition of a ground cover is something that is used to cover bare ground. That makes turfgrass the most popular ground cover by far.

But I think one of the best descriptions comes from Robert J. Black, writing for the University of Florida ( "The term 'ground cover' refers to any plant material low to the ground that can be used to cover areas where grass will not grow or is not desired. Ideally, a good ground cover should be evergreen and provide a permanent covering."

But that definition still leaves out a couple features that I have always associated with ground covers: even if they prefer sun, they should be at least fairly shade tolerant if they are going to fill in where lawn grass won't go. Most of us associate clumping or creeping habits with ground covers as well. And part of my definition would be that they must be low-maintenance.

I've never made much use of ground covers, but I am starting to include a few here and there. Here are just a few suggestions for some of the many ground covers that do well in South Florida:

Liriope muscari: Although it can get as high as three feet tall, it takes a while, and this grasslike member of the lily family is almost always included in lists of popular ground covers. I recently planted some around a birdbath in a shady part of my front yard, alternating with blue flax. It is considered a very tough plant, and while it is good for filling in bare spots, it is also especially nice as a border plant, although in four or five years it may tend to block out whatever it is bordering. The variegated variety is much more interesting than the dark green.

Juniperus conferta: Shore juniper and "Blue Pacifica" are a couple of the many juniper cultivars that make great ground covers because they are dense, low to the ground, compact, and spread fairly quickly. They also tend to cascade over walls and look good in rock gardens and containers. Shore juniper is quite salt tolerant.

Lantana montevidensis: This is the low-growing lavendar-colored lantana, which is known as trailing or weeping lantana. Although it sprawls readily, it is not considered as invasive as its more common cousin, lantana camera, according to However, its berries are toxic, so don't plant it where pets can get into it. It blooms pretty much continually as long as there is no frost.

Setcreasea pallida (purple queen): Also called Tradescantia pallida, this is for gardeners who really, really like true purple. It is a sprawling ground cover with long pointed leaves that shows its colors best in full sun, but tolerates some shade. In the summer, it gets a small pink flower, but the foliage is the show. It does well in very dry areas. Its sap can be a skin irritant.

Polypodiaceae (ferns): These do especially well under trees. Holly ferns, Boston, leatherleaf and sword ferns are recommended for ground covers. Avoid the invasive and weedy asparagus fern.

Here's another ground cover to avoid: Tradescantia spathacea, also known as oyster plant or moses-in-the cradle, a much more invasive relative of the purple queen, spreads like crazy and is hard to get rid of.

Christine Winter Juneau is a National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward. Reach her at

Sun Sentinel Articles