Shrub Forsythia × intermedia 'Courtasol' [sold as Gold Tide®] [Dwarf Border Forsythia] 'Courtasol' is a compact, dwarf cultivar that can function as a groundcover. It has arching branches that are covered with an abundance of bright yellow flowers early in the spring. Cut stems excised in mid-winter will flower indoors due to very short chilling requirement. Hardy to USDA Zone 4 for vegetative parts and USDA 5(6) for flowers. Flower buds are killed by severe winters in zone 5, and frequently in colder zones. Plants, however, are…
Liana (Climbing Vine) InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive Hedera helix [English Ivy] Tolerant of heavy shade to full sun except at the northern limits of its useful range, where some protection from full winter sun is necessary. Useful as a groundcover only, not as a vine, in Zone 5b, except hardiest cultivars in sheltered sites. Vigorous and can be a weed problem in certain regions of the country (like the NW US) where it can smother woodlands. Poisonous fruits, but it generally takes many years for it…
Liana (Climbing Vine) InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive Hedera helix 'Baltica' [Baltica English Ivy] 'Baltica' has smaller leaves with more prominent white veination. Foliage becomes tinged with purple in the winter. Tolerant of heavy shade to full sun except at the northern limits of its useful range, where some protection from full winter sun is necessary. Vigorous and can be a weed problem in certain regions of the country (like the NW US) where it can smother woodlands. Poisonous fruits, but it generally takes many years for it to…
Liana (Climbing Vine) InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive Hedera helix 'Thorndale' [Thorndale English Ivy] 'Thorndale' is a very hardy cultivar that has large, glossy leaves with striking white veination. Tolerant of heavy shade to full sun except at the northern limits of its useful range, where some protection from full winter sun is necessary. Useful as a groundcover and vine. Vigorous and can be a weed problem in certain regions of the country (like the NW US) where it can smother woodlands. Poisonous fruits, but it generally takes many…
Shrub Hypericum calycinum [Creeping St. John's Wort] Relatively trouble-free. Tolerates dry conditions well (even drier shade). Generally, tops are killed back in severe winters near its limit of hardiness. Mowing to the ground each spring improves aesthetics of the following regrowth. Slow to leaf out in spring. Can be invasive via spreading stolons. Poisonous to animals.
Shrub Juniperus chinensis 'Arctic' [Arctic Chinese Juniper] 'Arctic' is a cold hardy, low growing, and wide-spreading cultivar with blue-green needles. Widely adaptable to soils and climates, except for low light conditions. Tolerates alkaline soils, heat, and drought. Members of this species are used from New England to Minnesota to Louisiana. Phomopsis and Kabatina blights can be a serious problem in some areas, especially for small plants.
Shrub Juniperus chinensis var. procumbens [Japanese Garden Juniper] Tolerates calcareous soils. Can be pruned to maintain size. Plants can be injured by Phomopsis blight in some areas.
Shrub Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific' [Blue Pacific Shore Juniper] Blue Pacific Shore Juniper is a low growing shrub that typically grows 1 to 2 inches in height, making this shrub a great choice for an evergreen groundcover. Needles are slightly shorter and more dense than the straight species, as well as being slightly more hardy that the straight species. Foliage has been described as having an ocean-blue color to its needles, hence its cultivar name. Adapts well to poor soils, sandy soils, and salt.…
Shrub Indiana Native Juniperus horizontalis [Creeping Juniper] Widely adapted to soils and climates, as evidenced by its broad natural range. Tolerates slightly alkaline and heavy clay soils, but not wet soils. Young plants can be seriously injured by Phomopsis blight in some areas. Plants of all ages are susceptible to mite infestation.
Shrub Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor' [Bar Harbor Creeping Juniper] 'Bar Harbor' is an extremely low-growing, and wide-spreading male juniper with grayish, blue-green foliage. Widely adapted to soils and climates. Tolerates slightly alkaline and heavy clay soils, but not wet soils. Young plants can be seriously injured by Phomopsis blight in some areas. Plants of all ages are susceptible to mite infestation.
