Herbaceous Pachysandra terminalis 'Variegata' [Variegated Japanese Spurge] Japanese spurge is a shrubby ground cover that grows best in the shade. The plant has whorled leaves and small white flowers in early spring. This cultivar has irregular white varigation along the edges of the leaves.
Shrub Pinus sylvestris 'Hillside Creeper' [Creeping Scotch Pine] 'Hillside Creeper' is a low-growing, spreading evergreen that can be used as a groundcover. Tolerant of fairly dry soils, but not a good specimen in shade or on wet soils.
Liana Reynoutria compacta [Japanese Knotweed] Handsome groundcover with summer color. Adaptable to poor, dry soils. Just a root cutting stuck in poor soil will lead to an aggressive spreading groundcover. Spreads by underground stems; can be very invasive. Fall color not attractive (best to mow it down in the fall).
Shrub Indiana Native Rhus aromatica [Fragrant Sumac] A highly variable species in both ultimate height and fall foliage color. Color probably also varies with soil type, possibly as a function of moisture content. Plants are native to dry, sandy, and rocky soils, and usually color well under these conditions. Useful for bank stabilization since it develops roots on stems touching the soil. It also suckers. Can spread too quickly for some sites (spreading rhizomes). Shear to ground to rejuvenate (try a brush-hog).
Shrub Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low' [Low Growing Fragrant Sumac] 'Gro-low', as the name implies, is a very low-growing (and popular) female cultivar. Rhus aromatica is native to dry, sandy, and rocky soils, and usually colors well under these conditions. Useful for bank stabilization since it develops roots on stems touching the soil. It also suckers. Can spread too quickly for some sites (spreading rhizomes). Shear to ground to rejuvenate (try a brush-hog).
Shrub Rosa × 'Korpancom' [sold as Electric Blanket™] [Electric Blanket Floribunda Rose] The Electric Blanket Floribunda Rose is a low-growing, compact plant with abundant salmon-pink flowers from summer through fall. Although generally used as a groundcover, this rose is sometimes trained and sold in a tree form. It has good resistance to powdery mildew, but good cultural practices are important in order to prevent other diseases and other pests, such as black spot and rust. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering, place the plant in an area…
Shrub Rosa × 'Noalesa' [sold as Flower Carpet®] [Flower Carpet Rose] The Flower Carpet Rose is a low-growing, compact, heat tolerant plant that produces many semi-double, yellow flowers spring through fall. Although this variant is quite disease resistant, good cultural practices are still important. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering, place the plant in an area with good air circulation, and remove dead or diseased plant matter as soon as possible. Prune plant back to a third of its height in late winter or early spring,…
Shrub Symphoricarpos × chenaultii [Chenault Coralberry] A more refined plant than the parent S. orbiculatus, perhaps more showy in flower and fruit and more useful in the shrub border. Useful as a bank cover or large scale groundcover. Transplants well. This plant has a beautiful fruit show and is shade tolerant, however, it is also a twiggy, "garbage can plant" (collects leaves and blowing debris); this quality (especially prominent in the fall and winter) limits its usability in the landscape.
Shrub Symphoricarpos × chenaultii 'Hancock' [Dwarf Chenault Coralberry] 'Hancock' is a low-growing, wide spreading dwarf cultivar of the Chenault Coralberry that is useful as a groundcover and for erosion control. Transplants well. This plant has a beautiful fruit show and is shade tolerant, however, it is also a "garbage can plant" (collects leaves and blowing debris). 'Hancock' appears to have less of a problem with this than the species type, though.
Shrub Vaccinium angustifolium 'Burgundy' [Burgundy Lowbush Blueberry] Known for their red fall color. This plant need a lot of moisture and good drainage. Blueberries are edible. Attracts birds and butterflies.
