Choosing the right ground cover

Do you have a spot where it is difficult to grow grass or problematic to mow - a narrow strip along the side of the house or between two driveways, a steep slope, a deeply shaded area where the grass just doesn't want to take hold? Ground covers might be just what you're looking for.

Which ground cover you choose depends upon your situation. Consider the amount of sun or shade, competition from tree roots and expected foot traffic in the area. Think about nearby plantings - do you want to plant something with contrasting texture or color? Do you need a low ground cover or would something a little taller work as well? Traditional ground covers include ivy, periwinkle and pachysandra, and these are all good plants, but if you're looking for something different, following are a few suggestions. Hot, dry areas Sedum is a great choice for a sunny, dry place. Many varieties are low-growing and spreading, and plants will fill in quickly.

Weihenstephaner Gold grows only 4-5 inches tall, and its attractive, succulent foliage is covered in golden yellow flowers in June. Red seed heads follow the flowers, and the foliage reddens in fall. Sedum reflexum, or Jenny Stonecrop, has blue-tinted, needlelike foliage, soft yellow flowers, and a low, spreading habit.

Cerastium tomentosum, known as Snow-in-Summer, is very drought tolerant, and its silvery foliage is pretty when contrasted against green-leafed plants.

Growing only 6-10 inches tall, it features pretty white daisy flowers from May into June.

For a slightly taller ground cover, plant nepeta or catmint. Its fragrant, gray-green foliage grows only about a foot tall, and it is covered with pretty lavender-blue flower spikes from late spring to early summer, and again later in the season if sheared back after first bloom. A similar-looking plant is calamintha nepeta nepeta, which produces its delicate, light blue flowers almost continuously throughout the summer.

Shady areas Galium odoratum or Sweet Woodruff is a delightful ground cover for part or full shade. It features delicate, bright green foliage and dainty, fragrant white flowers in May, and it grows only about 6 inches tall. Although it will quickly cover an area, it is not invasive.

For a dry, shady area, consider planting lamium, called the unattractive name spotted dead nettle.

This low-growing ground cover tolerates root competition from water-sapping trees, such as maples. White, pink or lavender flowers bloom in late spring and early summer, and many varieties feature silvery foliage that really stands out in the shade.

Lamiastrum, known as Yellow Archangel, looks somewhat similar to lamium, but grows in even deeper shade. It has variegated foliage and yellow flowers in June. For quick cover, try Variegatum, a widely sprawling variety that grows 12-18 inches tall.

If you would like to stay with a grassy look, plant carex or sedge as a ground cover. These grasslike plants stay relatively short and are far more shade tolerant than lawn grasses. As an added bonus, many varieties have interesting variegation that lights up dark spots.

Light foot traffic If your area is sunny and well-drained, try planting some red creepingthyme, the common name for thymus praecox coccineus. It grows only 2-4 inches tall, features tiny, pretty rose-pink flowers, and releases its herbal fragrance when stepped upon.

For a shady, moist spot try Iris Moss agina subulata. Available in both gold and green varieties, it forms dense, mosslike mats of evergreen foliage and bears tiny white flowers in late summer.

Shrubby If you have a large area to cover, consider using a sprawling shrub.

Gro-low fragrant sumac or rhus aromatica is very drought tolerant, grows only 2-4 feet tall, and can spread up to 5 feet wide, and turns a gorgeous orangish red in the fall.

Many roses make good ground covers, too. The Fairy grows 2 - 3 feet tall with a spread of up to 4 feet, and it bears pretty, double pink blooms throughout the summer. Any of the Flower Carpet series would work, too, and these grow to only about 18 inches tall.

If you would like an evergreen ground cover, try one of the creeping junipers. Wiltoni or Blue Rug is an excellent, low-growing choice, with attractive, silver-blue needles.

Although ground covers tend to be hardy, vigorous plants, for best results be sure to prepare the area before you plant by eliminating any grass or weeds.

You can use a product such as Roundup or any product with glyphosate as the active ingredient. These are safe to use around trees and shrubs as long as you follow directions and don't get any product on the foliage. Roundup degrades quickly, and the area can be planted in about two weeks. After the weeds are dead, work some organic matter, such as mushroom compost, into the soil to ensure good drainage and a healthy start for your new transplants

Maureen Safarik is a horticulturist at The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield, IL 60190. Call 630 293-1040.