Ground cover plants: green leaves, red flowers


Ground cover plants, as the name implies, are plants that cover the ground. They are usually densely planted and short. In the configuration of garden plants, the layers of trees, shrubs and grasses are usually emphasized. Ground cover plants are often not noticed because they are at the bottom layer, but their importance cannot be ignored.




Ground cover, as the green foundation of the garden, determines the level of plant planting design. They are highly adaptable and have few pests and diseases. They can be covered on the ground with simple management. They can effectively prevent soil erosion, absorb dust, purify the air, and reduce noise. At the same time, they also have certain ornamental and economic value and many benefits.


Ground cover plants include perennial low-growing herbaceous plants, as well as some low-growing, creeping shrubs and vines with strong adaptability. These plants have different habits, some like the sun, some tolerate the shade; some tolerate drought, some like moisture; some are mainly for viewing leaves, and some are mainly for viewing flowers. Therefore, it is particularly important to select materials according to the local conditions.


In an open ground environment, positive ground cover plants are usually chosen as the main species, such as Scutellaria barbata, Oxalis macrophylla, Coreopsis macrophylla, ground cover dianthus, white clover, Oxalis oxyphylla, Juniperus chinensis, and Ground ivy.

Scutellaria barbata
Lamiaceae, Scutellaria genus. Alias: Mountain whip, water skullcap, Han Xin grass, toothbrush grass, etc., perennial herb.
feature:
It grows densely, has numerous and bright flowers and a long flowering period. It is an excellent matching flower for decorating lawns, slopes and roadsides. It is also suitable for planting on the edges of flower beds and in flower borders. The potted plants are small and exquisite and can be displayed in a variety of places for viewing, such as balconies, window sills, corridors, door fronts, poolsides and courtyards.

Oxalis serrata
Oxalidaceae, Oxalis genus. Other names: big sour grass, Nantianqi, night-blooming plum, big-leafed Oxalis, three-clip lotus, perennial upright herb.
feature:
The plants are short and neat, with many flowers and leaves, a long flowering period, bright colors, and they cover the ground quickly and inhibit the growth of weeds. They are very suitable for planting in flower beds, flower paths, sparse woodlands and large areas of forest edges. They work very well when used to form words or patterns.

Parthenocissus quinquefolius
Vitaceae, Parthenocissus genus. Other names: Five-leaf creeper, creeper, woody vine.
feature:
The vines are crisscrossed, with dense aerial roots, and the green leaves cover the whole area like a screen. After autumn and winter, the leaves turn red or yellow, which is very gorgeous. It is a good material for vertical greening, lawns and ground cover greening walls, corridors, rocks or old tree trunks, and can also be used as ground cover plants.
As the ground under the forest is shaded and moist, shade-bearing ground covers should generally be chosen, such as hosta, syngonium, azalea, clam orchid, allium orchid, wedelia, ophiopogon, and water banana.

Zephyranthes
Amaryllis family, Allium genus. Other names: Jade curtain, Onion lotus, etc., perennial herbaceous ground cover.
feature:
The plant is low, evergreen all year round, with numerous flowers and a long flowering period. The luxuriant white flowers are higher than the leaf tips, and are extremely beautiful against the green leaves. It is suitable for use as a garden ground cover plant under the forest, on the edge or in semi-shade, as an edging material for flower beds and flower paths, planted in clumps on the lawn, or potted for indoor viewing.

Ophiopogon japonicus
Liliaceae, Ophiopogon genus. Alias: Ophiopogon japonicus, Ophiopogon japonicus, perennial evergreen herbaceous ground cover.
feature:
It has many excellent traits such as evergreen, shade-tolerant, cold-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and disease and pest-resistant. It has a high greening value. It can be used for outdoor greening, and it is also a rare indoor potted ornamental plant. It has broad application prospects in landscaping.

Rhododendron splendidum
Ericaceae, Rhododendron genus. Alias: Hairy Rhododendron, semi-evergreen shrub.
feature:
It is suitable for planting in groups. When it blooms, it is colorful and romantic, which can increase the natural landscape effect of the garden. It can also be planted in clusters beside rocks, poolside, and lawn edge to add to the garden atmosphere, or placed in hotels, living rooms and public places, which is gorgeous and eye-catching.
The forest edge areas, tree pools of street trees, the direct projection of solitary tree crowns, and sparse woods are often in a semi-shaded state. Various shade-tolerant ground cover plants can be selected according to the different shade degrees, such as hydrangea, February orchid, June snow, purple spiderwort, iris, ivy, vinca major, goose feather bamboo, and Philippine white bamboo.

February orchid
Cruciferae, genus Aralia. Other names: rapeseed flower, February blue, purple gold grass, annual or biennial herb. Because it begins to bloom blue-purple flowers around February of the lunar calendar, it is called February orchid.
feature:
It has low requirements for soil and light conditions, is cold-resistant and drought-resistant, and has strong vitality. It also has lush green leaves in winter and blooms in early spring. It is an ideal ground cover plant in the shade of gardens or under forests, and can also be used for flower path cultivation.

June Snow
Rubiaceae, genus June Snow. Alias: baby's breath, white horse bone, broken leaf holly, evergreen small shrub.
feature:
The dense branches and leaves and the blooming white flowers are like snowflakes all over the tree. It is elegant and lovely, and is an excellent ornamental plant for both leaves and flowers. Its leaves are small and its root system is well developed, which is especially suitable for making miniature or root-lifting bonsai. When planted in the ground, it is suitable for flower beds, flower hedges and undergrowth, or planted between rocks and rock cracks.

ivy
Araliaceae, genus Hedera. Alias: earth drum vine, triangle wind, scattered bone wind, maple pear vine, etc., perennial evergreen climbing shrub.
feature:
The leaves are beautiful and evergreen. They can be used to climb rockeries and rocks in the courtyard, or as vertical greening materials on the shady side of buildings. They can not only achieve greening and beautification effects, but also play a role in increasing oxygen, cooling, reducing dust, and reducing noise. They are one of the most used materials among vine greening plants.


Landscaping Planting Design