Ground Covers

Use ground covers where shade is too dense or the terrain is too rough for turf grass. Many types of ground covers can provide color and texture differences in the landscape and keep soil in place. Ground covers are less than 18 inches in height and generally require little maintenance once they are established. Some, such as mondo grass, resemble grass in growth form while others, such as sweet williams and violets, are grown as much for flower color as for the foliage. Select ground covers to blend with the overall landscape plan. While the dark green of mondo grass or English ivy blends well with well-maintained bermudagrass or St. Augustinegrass, it contrasts sharply with carpetgrass or centipedegrass.