Covering Ground: Unexpected Ideas for Landscaping with Colorful, Low-Maintenance Ground Covers

Open sweeps of lawn are a large part of most home landscapes, but imagine turning those stretches of lawn into striking swathes of beautifully planted ground covers. Barbara W. Ellis explores hundreds of wonderful possibilities in her new guide, helping readers create eyecatching splashes of color and texture in unexpected places.

More than just broad expanses of a single plant, ground covers can bring a fresh look to dozens of landscaping challenges and opportunities. Flowering plants, herbs, mosses, groundhugging shrubs, and heathers, planted singly or in creative combinations, can cover all sorts of ground situations with unexpected drama and add an elegant, professional look to otherwise dull and ordinary areas. Additionally, hardscape lawn alternatives such as bluestone, crushed gravel, brick, or shredded bark mulch introduce pathways and help create defined borders.

Working with the theory that ground covers should be hardworking as well as beautiful, Part One, Rolling Out the Carpet, inspires readers with low-maintenance, creative ideas. Simplify lawn mowing by filling in awkward corners with easy-to-care-for colorful plants. Edge walkways to keep them neat and attractive. Use broad drifts to control erosion along streams. Ground covers can fit anywhere.

Part Two, Landscaping with Ground Covers, matches plants to specific site requirements. Looking for herbs hardy enough to thrive between stepping stones? Shrubby plants that tolerate full sun? Native ferns for a woodland floor or moss gardens for acid shade? Ellis has all the answers and the experience to combine appropriate plants in stunning combinations. Part Three includes in-depth how-to for planting, growing, and propagating, with special emphasis on site preparation, plant selection, and weed control.

From single-plant drifts to unexpected plant combinations and new uses for natural hardscaping, ground covers are an exciting, low maintenance alternative to traditional lawns.

REIMAGINE the Possibilities for Covering Your Ground REPLACE GRASS on hard-to-mow slopesCONNECT scattered flower beds, trees, and shrubsCONTROL erosion along stream banksCARPET the patches between stepping stonesSTABILIZE boggy areasEDGE walkways, curbs, and drivewaysCREATE natural alternatives to traditional lawnsADD A SPLASH OF COLOR anywhere you need it!

Looking for an alternative to a traditional lawn? Covering Ground explores hundreds of wonderful possibilities. Flowering plants, herbs, mosses, ground-hugging shrubs, and heathers, planted singly or in creative combinations, can add interest, elegance, and drama to otherwise dull and ordinary areas. And hardscape options, such as bluestone, crushed gravel, brick, or shredded bark mulch, can create pathways and define borders. You'll be inspired by these low-maintenance, creative ideas, and Barbara Ellis includes all of the information you need to successfully select, plant, and care for the ground covers that you choose.

REIMAGINE the Possibilities for Covering Your Ground

REPLACE GRASS on hard-to-mow slopes

CONNECT scattered flower beds, trees, and shrubs

CONTROL erosion along stream banks

CARPET the patches between stepping stones

STABILIZE boggy areas

EDGE walkways, curbs, and driveways

CREATE natural alternatives to traditional lawns

ADD A SPLASH OF COLOR anywhere you need it!

Barbara W. Ellis, a writer, editor, and lifelong gardener, is the author of Shady Retreatsand Deckscaping, as well as several books in the popular Taylor's Guide series. She lives along Worton Creek in Maryland on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay with her husband and an assortment of dogs, cats, and parrots. Her garden features native wildflowers and other native plants along with a wealth of ground cover plants and various perennials.

Getting Creative with Ground Covers

Part One: Rolling Out the Carpet
Why Ground Covers?
Making the Most of Ground Covers
Addressing Problem Spots
Knowing Your Site
Plant Selection
Creating Combinations
Going Wild
Aggressive & Invasive Ground Covers
Covering Ground with Hardscape

Part Two: Perfect Plants for Every Site
Active Spreaders for Sun & Shade
Sun Lovers for a Patterned Garden
Ground Huggers for Paths & Stepping Stones
Small-Scale Spreaders
Perennials for Bold Cover in Sun
Ground Covers for a Sunny Slope
Vines for Covering Ground
Shrubby Ground Covers for Sun & Shade
Selections for Shade
Flowering Ground Covers for Shade
Native Plants for a Woodland Floor
Ground Covers for Wet Soil
Ground Covers for Acid Soil

Part Three: Planting, Growing & Propagating
Site Preparation Basics
Buying & Installing Ground Covers
Planting on Slopes
Planting over Time
Caring for New Plants
Renovating Ground Covers
Growing Your Own

USDA Hardiness Zone Map
Photography & Garden Design Credits
Resources
Index