Ground covers are an alternative to traditional grass that often require less work to maintain. Most ground covers don't need to be mowed, use less water than grass and bloom in an array of colors. With a bit of work at first, your chosen ground cover will establish itself and spread throughout your yard to replace a portion or all of your grass.
Pink and Red
Dianthus plants, more commonly known as pinks, grows well in full sun and has bright pink blossoms that grow about 1 inch tall. Tiny Ruby dianthus are bright pink, and Bath's Pink dianthus are a pale pink color. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, or Emerald Carpet, has bright green leaves and pink blossoms that eventually give way to red berries. Saponaria ocymoides, or Soapwort, grows about 1 foot tall and has bright green foliage and pale pink flowers. Red Dragon Persicaria, or Red Dragon, doesn't flower but has deep red leaves that grow between 10 and 24 inches tall. Alternanthera ficoidea, or Red Threads, produces a carpet of burgundy foliage that grows to be about 8 inches tall.
Yellow and White
Stone orpine, or Sedum rupestre, grows star-shaped yellow flowers that reach heights of about 6 inches. It is an evergreen species that maintains its vibrant yellow color throughout the summer. Veronica repens, or Creeping Speedwell, doesn't produce flowers but has vibrant yellow leaves that grow to be about 2 feet tall. Epimedium stellulatum, or Wudang Star, produces star-shaped white flowers and glossy green foliage. It grows to be between 6 and 12 inches tall. Tiarella, or Foamflower, grows to heights between 10 and 12 inches and produces pale green leaves and delicate white flowers.
Stachys byzantina, or Lamb's Ear, has green leaves that shimmer with silvery fuzz. It grows to be about 10 inches tall and doesn't produce flowers. Pachysandra procumbens, or Allegheny Spurge, reaches heights between 6 and 12 inches and produces clumps of vivid green foliage. Heuchera, or Lime Rickey, has chartreuse leaves that gradually turn lime green throughout the growing season. It grows between 6 and 12 inches tall. Hostas grow in a variety of green hues and produce large leaves and plants that grow between 1 and 2 feet tall.
Blue and Purple
Geranium ibericum, or Johnson's Blue Geranium, grows to between 12 and 18 inches tall and produces a large number of blue flowers in the spring. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, or Dwarf Plumbago, grows blue flowers that reach heights between 6 and 10 inches. Salvia officinalis, or Purple Sage, reaches heights of about 1.5 feet and produces spiky purple flowers. Acaena inermis, or Purple Goose Leaf, has scalloped purple leaves and produces large purple blooms. It grows less than 6 inches tall.
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