Ground Cover: Plants for Down Low

Do you have acres of garden area and too much of it is blank? Ground cover plants are a perfect way to fill in an expanse of garden, under the canopy created by larger plants.  In a well-planted garden scheme, consider plants to create a canopy, followed by a dense low foliage layer. Then complete the scheme with under planting consisting of some of these fine examples of tough and trusty ground covers.

Dichondra

Dichondra is the perfect ground cover option for both full sun, right down to fully shaded spaces under eaves or trees. Dichondra is a small, low to the ground, lively spreading plant with tiny kidney shaped leaves. You can walk across it without doing too much damage and you can even mow it if required!

Zoysia tenuifolia

Like Dichondra, Zoysia tenuifolia (no mow) is a great lawn alternative in no traffic areas. However, this guy needs a bit more sun. Although it comes from a similar cultivar as a number of popular turf species such as Zoysia japonica, it is more of an ornamental style of grass. It has a slow upward growth and tufting nature which gives it a prehistoric appearance. A great feature in any garden bed!

Casuarina glauca ‘Cousin It’

Where to start with this one? Affectionately named after a character from the Addams Family due to its droopy appearance, Casuarinas are often called ‘native pines’ because their foliage bears a similarity to pine needles. Being native to Australia and the Pacific Islands, it can tolerate poor soil conditions from arid to waterlogged. And it looks amazing sprawled over open beds as well as cascading over retaining walls or boulders as they would in nature.

Mondo Grass

Still one of the most popular ground cover plants on the market. It can tolerate anything both you and mother nature can throw at it, is super-fast growing, easily maintained and contained. These days you can choose from a variety of types from mini, midi and tall in both green and even black for a striking feature!

Star Jasmine Trachelospermum

Typically, you see Chinese Star Jasmine creeping up walls and over fences throughout the suburbs emitting beautiful jasmine scent from their star-shaped white flowers. But they work great on the horizontal surface as well as the vertical. Goes well in the sun and shade and can handle drought and cold.

Gazania

If the previous options were just a bit too green for you, try a Gazania (bless you!). No, it’s not the sound a sneeze makes, Gazanias are a genus of 16 species of annual and perennial daisies most of which hail from South Africa. With a huge range of colourful options available, you’ll be sure to find something that meets your taste. Their lovely showy flowers usually appear throughout the warmer months but are evergreen and spread like crazy! Check out your local roundabout, you’ll usually spot of clump of bright yellow flowers loving life in the worst conditions.

*Please note: we do not sell plants. We recommend you visit your local nursery and pair your plant selection with quality growing media and plant support products.