Texas AgriLife Extension Service – Established in 1915, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service provides Texans with continuing education programs and services related to the food and fiber industry, environmental and natural resources conservation, family and consumer sciences, youth development, nutrition and health, and community economic development. – More than 900 professional educators and some 90,000 volunteers team up throughout Texas to serve families, youth, communities and businesses in all 254 counties. The agency was previously known as Texas Cooperative Extension.

For Horticulture information and services please contact the Collin County Master Gardeners at , or For more information on Extension Programs offered in Collin County please contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Office at , or Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating. A member of the Texas A&M University System and its statewide Agriculture Program.

Presented by the Collin County Master Gardeners

Consider reducing turf areas to conserve water and improve its quality Use turf as an area rug instead of a carpet. Use groundcovers where grass will not grow. Widen pathways and walks. Enlarge patios and decks to suit your needs.

Benefits of Groundcovers: Well suited for shady areas where other plants and turf won’t grow. Excellent choice for narrow or isolated areas difficult to maintain. They minimize erosion. Some are very drought tolerant. They provide a cooling effect.

Where less maintenance is desired or grass won’t grow, use groundcovers.

USE PATHS IN FOOT TRAFFIC AREAS WHERE TURF WON’T GROW

STEPPING STONES AND MULCHED PATHS COMBINED WITH GROUND COVERS ACCENT THE LANDSCAPE

SLOPES ARE EXCELLENT LOCATIONS FOR GROUNDCOVERS

GROUNDCOVERS MAKE SENSE UNDER TREES

REDUCE TURFGRASS TO ENHANCE THE LANDSCAPE

Choose groundcovers native to our area or well-adapted to our tough growing conditions. Prepare and amend the soil appropriately. Know the mature size of the plants and space them to allow for optimum coverage. Do not allow the new plants to dry out. Keep them adequately watered so they become well-established. DON’T FORGET...

DECISIONS, DECISIONS... Evergreen or Deciduous? Woody or herbaceous? Temporary or Permanent? Speed of establishment Is weed suppression important?

ASIAN JASMINE

Xeriscape Garden -- Austin, Texas

ASIAN JASMINE Woody evergreen groundcover/vine in USDA z. 8, can be used as herbaceous groundcover in z. 7 Height: 6-12 inches Tolerates full sun to dense shade, soil adaptable, moderately drought tolerant. Hard to beat in adverse situations. Asian Jasmine can be planted on 2 foot centers. Using 4 inch pots, can be planted on 10 to 12 inch centers. If using smaller pots, close up the distance to 8 inch centers.

LIRIOPE Two major species: Big Blue Lilyturf Creeping Lilyturf

LIRIOPE (Lilyturf) Dense evergreen groundcover with a grasslike appearance. Clump forming, spreads rapidly by underground stems inches tall x inches wide Liriope can be used as a groundcover under trees and shrubs and as a massed planting on slopes and banks. Can be used as low edging plants along paved areas or in front of foundation plantings. It will grow in deep shade or full sun, sand or clay. Drought resistant and will not take "wet feet"; it prefers moist, well-drained soil.

ENGLISH IVY

ENGLISH IVY Vigorous clinging evergreen vine with dark green lobed leaves. Use on arbors, trellises, fences or as a ground cover. Part sun to Shade (protect from afternoon sun in Texas) 6-10 inches high x indefinite spread Provide air circulation by regular trimming once it reaches maturity and minimize overhead watering to avoid fungal infections, bacterial blight, scale insects, aphids, and spider mites which can be problems.

MONDO GRASS

MONDO GRASS Compact narrow dark green grass-like leaves with spikes of flowers followed by blue berries. Spreads by underground rhizomes. Tough, versatile evergreen ground cover. 12 inches tall sun/ partial sun/ shade spikes of lilac colored flowers in late summer Mondo Grass ‘Nana” is a dwarf cultivar growing to 6 inches. Also varieties available with white and green leaves 6-12 inches tall.

WINTERCREEPER EUONYMUS ‘Coloratus’ or purple wintercreeper has leaves which turn dark purple in fall and winter.

PURPLE WINTERCREEPER EUONYMUS Evergreen ground cover or high climbing vine. 2 Ft. tall x 1 Ft. wide Part sun to Shade Glossy, evergreen foliage which turns bronze in fall. Requires a protected site away from winter wind and hot afternoon sun. May be trimmed for a more uniform appearance.

JUNIPER

BLUE RUG JUNIPER ‘Wiltonii’ Low spreading evergreen ground cover with dense silver-blue foliage. Height: 6-8'' x 6' Also available: Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper ‘Nana” (Green Mound) Fast growing ground cover with compact foliage and curved branches that radiate in all directions. 1’ x 4’

FROG FRUIT

FROG FRUIT Spreading Deciduous Groundcover Full Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade 6 inches tall x 1 foot spread Ornamental Value: White Bloom, Apr - Oct Native Texas Plant Notes: Tough as a boot and extremely drought tolerant. Good between stepping stones. Low creeping or trailing perennial.

HORSEHERB

HORSEHERB Semi-evergreen groundcover that out competes grass in the shade. Forms a dense mat with little or no water and takes moderate foot traffic. Shade, dappled shade, part shade 8-10 inches high Ever blooming but not visually significant Native Texas Plant

PERIWINKLE

PERIWINKLE (VINCA MAJOR and VINCA MINOR) Trailing evergreen groundcover full to part shade; handles part sun but not hot afternoon sun 12 inches high, spreads readily Purple flowers, usually five petaled, bloom in spring requires regular irrigation, 1-2 times per week well prepared soil

AJUGA or BUGLEWEED

AJUGA or BUGLEWEED Evergreen, dense groundcover 3 to 4 inches high; spreads by stolons Partial shade to shade; prefers sandy, well- drained soil but tolerates clay Blue-violet flowers in spring on 4 to 6 inch spikes; Excellent for moist areas Cultivars: Bronze Beauty; Jungle Beauty; Rubra

MONEYWORT (Creeping Jenny)

MONEYWORT (Creeping Jenny) Small round light green leaves on trailing stems. Herbaceous (dies to the ground and comes back) 2-3 inches tall Shade or early morning sun Attractive between stepping stones

GROUND IVY

GROUND IVY Evergreen spreading groundcover 6 inches x 1 ft. Partial shade to full shade small blue flowers May and June Variegated green/white leaf variety is also available. Excellent for shady areas.

HARDY PLUMBAGO

HARDY PLUMBAGO Deciduous Spreading Groundcover Full Shade, Partial Shade, Full Sun 1 Foot x 1 Foot Blue Flowers May – Oct. Wildlife Value: Butterfly nectar source; attracts hummingbirds True blue flowers. Purplish foliage in the fall. Blooms best with some direct light.

DWARF MEXICAN PETUNIA ‘Katie’

DWARF MEXICAN PETUNIA ‘Katie’ Spectacular, low-growing, heat-tolerant perennial with profusions of violet, light pink or white flowers summer through fall. (herbacious) Full sun or partial shade 1 ft. x 1 ft. Spreads quickly by self-seeding.

GRAY SANTOLINA

SANTOLINA (Lavender Cotton) Spreading evergreen groundcover both green and gray-green Full Sun 1-1/2 ft. x 2 ft Used for its attractive foliage, both colors are equally drought tolerant needing well-drained soil.

SEDUMS

LOW GROWING SEDUMS Spreading perennial groundcovers, many varieties (herbaceous) Full Sun to Partial Shade 6 inches x 1 ft Nice between stepping stones Flowers are nectar source for Butterflies and Bees

WOOD VIOLETS

WOOD VIOLETS Spreading groundcover perennials that goes dormant in the heat of summer and in the winter. (herbaceous) Partial Shade, Full Shade 6 inches x 1 ft. Flowers February - May Native Texas Plant

HERBAL GROUNDCOVERS Oregano Rosemary Thyme

HAVE A PLANT QUESTION? Call our Horticulture help line at Collin County Master Gardeners Association us at:

Collin County Master Gardener Association Our Master Gardener program in Collin County is an educational and volunteer program affiliated with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service of the Texas A&M University system. The 130 members of the Collin County Master Gardener Association are citizens of the local community who not only take an active interest in their own lawns, trees, and gardens but also strive to promote sound horticultural practices in the community. Members receive invaluable training and continuing opportunities for education, then share their horticultural expertise through a wide variety of projects benefiting Collin County residents and organizations.