This native evergreen shrub is covered in small, leathery, deep green leaves, which turn maroon in cold weather. The best types of ground cover plants require little maintenance and aren’t invasive. Perennial ground covers are often used as an alternative to grass. This plant prefers areas that are well drained in light shade to full sun. Ground cover planted in sandy soil needs to be able to tolerate those conditions. It drains well. While some can grow in even poor soil, many prefer richer, well-draining soils. It puts out tiny, blue flowers early in spring. Loamy soil? There’s a ground cover here for you. Dry soil and blazing sun are challenging living conditions for most plants, but bearberry thrives in this combination. It can be easily trained to spread, trail or cascade and even looks good in a decorative pot. It The leaves of the plant get no more than about 1 inch above ground, but the blue-violet flowers that arrive in late spring and early summer stand up to 6 inches tall. Choose ground covers for your yard with consideration as to whether they grow best in sandy soil, loamy soil or clay soil. Annualground co… You will have to determine the texture of the soil first to determine if it is sandy and dry or if it’s wet if it’s a soggy clay or a lovely loam. It will do well in full sun, partial sun, or full shade. Groundcover Plants for Shade. It tolerates partial shade to full sun conditions. Coralbells (Heuchera sanguinea) need well-drained, loamy soil that is rich in organic matter. Ground cover plants. Whatever your shade setting might be from partial shade to full shade or whatever soil type you have from clay to sandy. While its foliage is the main attraction, the plant also produces bee-enticing blooms in spring. While it enjoys full sun locations, the plant prefers moist, well-draining soil. We live in an area with hot/dry summers and moderate winters. Ice Plant. The suggested plants and tips for growing them will help you get started with drought-tolerant ground covers. It will do well in full sun, partial sun, or full shade. This plant typically grows from 1/4 to 1/2 foot in height and requires very little maintenance. Since the cost of maintaining a lawn has risen and time or effort needed to keep it in good shape, some homeowners are reducing size by replacing some areas with ground cover. Outdoors, grow blue daze in a sandy, well drained soil. Though groundcover is typically considered a living plant, there are non-living groundcover options like mulch, decorative stone, shade clothes, and other options, too! We'll help you find the best hardy shade ground cover perennials for your zone. Groundcover plants can hold soil in place, add nutrients to your plants and soil, and snuff out weeds without an issue. From ground covers to knee high they love sandy or rocky soil, full sun, heat, humidity, don't need to be watered very often, spread by themselves, don't get eaten by anything ('cept some tall ones deer do nibble on and chickens will eat the little ones like jelly beans), I … It has blooms from June until frost hits. Liriope (Liriope muscari) – Also commonly called monkey grass or lilyturf, this attractive ground cover makes an exceptional addition to the landscape and is even used as an alternative to grass. It requires irrigation during dry periods. It requires well-drained soil that is slightly acidic as well. Common Bearberry. Creeping Rosemary: Also known as prostrate rosemary, this fast-growing evergreen does well in full sun and is a beautiful choice for cascading over rock or paving stone walls or for use in rock gardens. Clay consists of small particles that can easily become compacted. Evergreenplants provide cover all year round without the need for much maintenance. Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) – Autumn fern plants will fill the area with beautiful bright green fronds. During a tropical storm, the area can flood but water will reseed in a few days. Ground Cover Plants for the Beach. We'll help you find the best hardy shade ground cover perennials for your zone. Sandy soil typically lacks nutrients, making it tough for plants to find enough nourishment to survive. Perfect for a low-maintenance garden. If you’re in the market for zone 9 ground covers, read on for a few suggestions. Coontie (Zamia floridana) – Also known as Florida arrowroot, you can plant this ground cover in sun or shade in any well-drained site, including poor soil. Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus “Nanus”), in USDA zones 6 through 11, grow dense mounds of dark evergreen grasslike clumps reaching 6 inches tall and purple summer blooms. What plant labels typically fail to mention is that, under the right growing conditions, 'Amethyst in Snow' makes a flowering ground cover that will spread nicely. From colorful Heuchera, bold … The plant tends to grow in clumps, and the bell-shaped flowers stand above the leaves. Clay is hard to grow a good ground cover plant on as it can bake to a rock-hard consistency. Creeping sage spreads across the ground and can end up growing up to 10 feet across. Difficult Soils. The Easiest Plants to Grow in Sandy Soil. (REF 3) This plant is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 7. Since it’s a woodland plant, locate this fern in a well-draining spot with plenty of shade. Whatever your shade setting might be from partial shade to full shade or whatever soil type you have from clay to sandy. Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) – Also known as pink hairgrass or pink muhly grass, this is another ornamental grass often used for ground coverage. Ice Plant. Any suggestions? Below you will find some zone 9 ground covers suitable for your landscape or garden. https://www.thespruce.com/drought-tolerant-ground-covers-2132051 Note: Algerian ivy can become invasive in certain areas. Every professional will tell you that planting ground covers will help to insulate soil when temperatures get very hot or cold. Ice plant is a ground cover … This carefree ground cover is great for beginners as it grows in most types of soil and in partially shady areas or full sun. Give it moist, loose soil in either partial shade or full sun locations. Give it moist, loose soil in either partial shade or full sun locations. It requires well-drained soil that is slightly acidic as well. Many types of ground covers thrive in loamy soil. Native grasses are excellent ground coverings for sunny clay sites. This is a ground cover that can also be used as a ground cover in your garden. Rocky and sandy soils are ideal for this hardy, low-growing, evergreen ground cover, making it a good choice for drought-tolerant gardens. Over time, the plant creates a thick mat of tiny, glossy leaves that turn from green to purplish when winter arrives. Likes: This ground cover plant prefers sandy, dry soil in full sun. 5. These need to be chosen with care and an eye to moisture needs, exposure and adaptability to occasionally dry conditions. Golden creeper (Ernodea littoralis) – This ground cover prefers coarse, sandy soil in areas of light shade to full sun. It can grow in most soil conditions, and it likes a lot of sunlight. The soil is sandy over clay about a foot deep. Ground cover plantscan sometimes be more practical to cover an area in a landscape than turfgrass. Another fast growing ground cover for slopes that grow horizontally and cover the whole area beautifully is the Forsythia. Butterfly sage (Cordia globosa) – Also known as bloodberry sage, this is a good ground cover plant for areas with poor soil. The best sites are shaded during the hot afternoons. Creeping sage (Salvia sonomensis) is very tolerant of clay soil but may die if exposed to the sun on hot days for any length of time. The barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) is a low-growing ground cover that is very tolerant of sandy, dry soils. As with other plants, ground covers often do best in specific soil types. In USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 9, this deciduous ground cover fills in the area through creep roots. Produces large amounts of below ground biomass with less above ground growth than cereal rye Soil health benefits: reduces erosion, surface compaction and scavenges for nutrients Adding oats to the mix could help protect the ryegrass and help it to overwinter It’s especially attractive grown in masses along with yellow or pink flowering plants. From colorful Heuchera, bold … What Is Monkey Grass: Caring For Money Grass In Lawns And Gardens, St. John's Wort Control: Learn How To Control St. John's Wort, Tips On St. John’s Wort Pruning: When To Cut Back St. John’s Wort, Best Holiday Herbs – Grow A Christmas Herb Garden, Madonna Lily Flower: How To Care For Madonna Lily Bulbs, Ice Suncatcher Ideas – Making Frozen Suncatcher Ornaments, Lavender Seed Propagation – How To Plant Lavender Seeds, Propagating Blueberries – How To Propagate Blueberry Bushes, Harvesting Edible Cactus Pads – How To Pick Cactus Pads To Eat, Staghorn Fern Plant Problems: How To Treat A Diseased Staghorn Fern, Fresh-Cut Pine Tree Smell: Perfect Christmas Tree Memories, Norfolk Island Pine - The Perfect Christmas Tree, Winter Survival Guide: Creative Ways To Garden In Winter, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees. Moss rose is very tolerant of poor conditions and dry soil. Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis) – This ivy plant prefers any well-drained site in deep or partial shade. There is grass growing there now but very hard to cut. (REF 2) It is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. i was terrified as to what winter would bring to the bare patches as even ground cover plants such as phlox have not taken up the space in the beds as prolifically as i had hoped. Flowers may be yellow, rose, red, white or orange. Sand is coarse and dry. Groundcover is considered any kind of plant that covers a vast amount of the ground (seems pretty obvious, right?) It prefers average, well-drained soil in partial shade to full sun. Sandy, heavy clay and rocky soils pose challenging problems for most plants. Enviroscaping has become a new trend today since ground cover for Florida landscaping can provide a surprising amount of energy savings, during summer months of high temperatures. This grows to 10-15" and does aggressively fill in an area. We'd like to cover a lot of our property with some sort of ground cover. Lavender. The Bloody Cranes-Bill grows at a medium pace and will reach heights of between 8” and 20” (20 – 50 cm) within 2 years. USDA ground cover plants in zone 6 are also often exposed to long, hot summer temperatures and must, therefore, be very adaptable to a wide range of we… They grow best in zones four through eight. Read more articles about Zone 9, 10 & 11. Low maintenance, they’re typically referred to as an herbaceous layer (or even a regenerative layer) or a step over. Although easy to cultivate and work, light sandy soils dry out quickly and are low in nutrients. Tolerates full shade to full sun. They are low-maintenance plants that provide excellent erosion control, even on steep slopes or other difficult sites. Sandy soils: plants for. Different plants will prefer different soil types. You may want to look at other ground cover options, such as Liriope spicata, Creeping Lilyturf. A woody evergreen that grows well in rocky or sandy soil, the 'Massachusetts' variety of the common bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi '_Massachusetts')_ doesn’t get over 12 inches in height, but it spreads as much as 6 feet. Groundcover plants are typically short, quick-growing perennials that don’t require all that much care or soil. Instead, perennial peanut plants provide optimal ground cover in well-draining sites with full sun. If you are planting in full sun, it will tend to yellow in a dry, sandy soil during summer. It has tough roots that will grip tightly to the ground, making the soil is more solid and retains the strength. When looking for ground cover plants for the beach, make sure they prosper in sandy or poor soil conditions. It is generally hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10, though some varieties may differ slightly from that. One of the best ways to secure soil in erosion prone areas is with ground covers. Mondo grass (Ophiopogan japonicus) – Similar to liriope and also known as dwarf lilyturf or dwarf liriope, mondo grass makes an excellent round cover option for zone 9. This drought-tolerant ground cover for sun can be used for culinary purposes and usually grows to about six inches in height. Our property is near a river and we have a lot of sandy soil. Full-sun sites receive little shade and dry out quickly without a thriving ground cover. The moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora) is an annual ground cover that grows up to 3/4 of a foot tall. Do I need to remove the grass first or is there a ground cover that will just take over the grass? It prefers nearly any well-drained soil in light to full shade, although it will tolerate sun. Sign up for our newsletter. Perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) – This isn’t your average peanut. Ground cover planted in sandy soil needs to be able to tolerate those conditions. 22. It doesn’t drain well. i was terrified as to what winter would bring to the bare patches as even ground cover plants such as phlox have not taken up the space in the beds as prolifically as i had hoped. Thick shade darkening your clay soil? It puts out small, bell-shaped, pink leaves in spring. Asiatic jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) – Also known as yellow star jasmine, this ground cover prefers rich, well-drained soil in partial shade to full sun. 'Burgandy Glow' Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow') grows no more than 2 to 3 inches tall with different colors of foliage depending on its variety. Creeping juniper (Juniperis horizontalis) – Creeping juniper is a popular addition to many landscapes as an attractive ground cover. Ground cover in sandy soil. It also drains rapidly, drying out quickly. Whether you are looking for a specific color, height, or bloom time in your region, this list will help you identify what would be perfect for what you need! Oregon stonecrop and moss phlox are two ground covers that grow well in sandy soil. The Thread leaf coreopsis is a high spirited ground cover plant that blossoms in any soil, both sandy and rocky. Sandy soil also tends to warm up earlier in the spring than other soil types, which can mean new plant life earlier in the season. Planting ferns as ground cover may not be the best idea unless the location stays damp and has enough shade. A very hardy plant, it is frost and drought resistant and can be used to help prevent soil erosion. It reaches less than a foot tall and sprouts stalks with small yellow flowers each spring. So plants don’t get soggy, but it doesn’t drain as fast as sandy soil so doesn’t dry out as quickly. Beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae) –Also known as railroad vine or goat’s foot, this morning glory plant enjoys nearly any soil, including poor soil, and full sun. Many do well in shade. In some climates, it produces bright-red berries that persist through winter. It is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10. Is it well aerated or is it somewhat compacted? Here is a list of some of the most reliable perennials for your sandy soil garden. All Rights Reserved. 29. Produces large amounts of below ground biomass with less above ground growth than cereal rye Soil health benefits: reduces erosion, surface compaction and scavenges for nutrients Adding oats to the mix could help protect the ryegrass and help it to overwinter It may seem that selecting ground cover plants for zone 9 would be easy, but finding suitable hot weather ground covers can be tricky because many ground-hugging plants don’t tolerate intense heat. The most important and first step in establishing your ground cover plants, whether flowers or perennial grasses, is to evaluate the area and the soil. This plant is a real magic because it helps to prevent erosion too. Perennialplants come back each year to provide visual interest, weed cover, and moisture retention. This is a plant that can easily grow to be up to five feet tall. It does best in average soil and full sun. Love grass (Eragrostis elliottii) – Ornamental grass is a popular choice for the landscape, especially those that provide ground coverage like love grass. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) – If you’re looking for something attractive to quickly fill in a large area, then ajuga is definitely a good choice. i have a dry, sandy soil and large beds, i have plenty of new perennials that are still in the sleep stage [ my first year ]. Blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) – Nearly any well-drained soil will accommodate this ground cover plant. They also help build up humus levels in the soil and provide habitat for beneficial insects. Liatris. Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; sandy, acidic soil Spacing: 3 feet apart for coverage in two seasons. GARDENING GUIDES 5 Bright, Cheerful Coastal Garden Flowers. Useful for maintaining an attractive winter garden. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. By definition, ground covers are plants – often creeping, spreading or climbing – that top out at 3 feet (1 m.). The shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), also known as bush cinquefoil, is very tolerant of many kinds of soils and can grow in compacted clay, wet and other soils. Ground cover plants that are in the Ozbreed Shrub and Ground Cover range and Hardy Exotic Range are long lived ground covers that will help outcompete weeds for many years. Ice plant is a ground cover … This plant is typically a pest-free plant that’s easy to grow. They conserve moisture, repel weeds, provide seamless transitional green spaces, reduce erosion and more. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Sandy soil has its advantages. Mondo grass (Ophiopogan japonicus) – Similar to liriope and also known as dwarf lilyturf or dwarf liriope, mondo grass makes an excellent round cover option for zone 9. This carefree ground cover is great for beginners as it grows in most types of soil and in partially shady areas or full sun. Ground-cover plants are generally short and spread to fill an area, often reducing the amount of maintenance required in the site. Golden creeper (Ernodea littoralis) – This ground cover prefers coarse, sandy soil in areas of light shade to full sun. These perennials offer an alternative to bare ground or weeds. Phlox is a beautiful violet ground cover that will grow well in sandy soil. It drains well, is easy to dig in and warms up faster in spring than clay soils, meaning that plants start growing earlier - but there are fewer species adapted to it compared to other soil types.Sandy soil is relatively uncommon in nature and has several distinct disadvantages - it does not hold on to either water or nutrients for long. Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:09 pm. Full Story. Other characteristics: Basket of gold is an evergreen plant and tolerates drought well. grandpasrose Greener Thumb Posts: 1651 Dislikes: Avoid overly-moist soil. 1. It also tolerates partial shade to full sun areas, and butterflies will love the brilliant blue flowers. The Bloody Cranes-Bill grows at a medium pace and will reach heights of between 8” and 20” (20 – 50 cm) within 2 years. Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) – Zone 3-9 This is a ground cover that can also be used as a ground cover in your garden. i have a dry, sandy soil and large beds, i have plenty of new perennials that are still in the sleep stage [ my first year ]. Here are the top 5 plants for sandy soil areas. The feltlike gray-green foliage and pale blue flowers make blue daze a standout in beds and borders or as a ground cover. Zone 6 ground covers must also be hardy to temperatures that may plummet below -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 C.). I would love to replace with a hardy ground cover. There are several types that you can turn depending on your needs. Mulch to prevent competition from weeds. As long as it drains well, the plant should be happy. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of California Integrated Pest Management: Soil Types, University of Missouri Extension: Selected Ground Covers for Missouri, University of Minnesota Extension: Ground Covers for Rough Sites, San Marcos Growers: Teucrium chamaedrys “Nanum” – Germander, Fine Gardening Plant Guide: Campanula Poscharskyana “Blue Waterfall” (Serbian Bellflower), Missouri Botanical Garden: Pachysandra Terminalis. By Genevieve Schmidt. Sandy soil? Sandy soil and salty air don't have to mean a dry and dull garden — these 5 flowering plants are beautiful, vivid and remarkably sturdy. Do you have clay soil? A woody evergreen that grows well in rocky or sandy soil, the 'Massachusetts' variety of the common bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi '_Massachusetts')_ doesn’t get over 12 inches in height, but it spreads as much as 6 feet. It tolerates any well-drained soil and prefers full sun. If you have ruled out turfgrass as an option or simply wish to grow perennials in a dry location because they are more attractive or more interesting than grass, a drought-tolerant ground cover is likely perfect. It is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 6. Any suggestions? The creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens) is an annual that produces an abundance of bright yellow flowers from June until the first frost. S. heterolepis grows to 15 inches tall and slightly wider, with pinkish, popcorn-scented summer flower plumes. You may want to look at other ground cover options, such as Liriope spicata, Creeping Lilyturf. St. Andrews Cross (Hypericum hypericoides) – Plant this variety of St. John’s wort in moist or dry soil. Pruning is needed over time to remove dead branches and preserve the plant’s appearance. Deeply rooted sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) produces graceful clumps of fine-textured foliage for natural meadow settings or as ground covering garden accents. Ground covers serve a multitude of purposes. shade / herbaceous borders / clay // Winter colour / dry / sandy soil / chalky soil / slopes / bog gardens / ground cover / L ow maintenance / In their natural habitat the plants I have selected grow in sandy soils and need less nutrients from the soil to survive and are drought resistant. Over time, the plant creates a thick mat of tiny, glossy leaves that turn from … Drought tolerant ground cover for dry sandy soil & sunny exposed locations . Blue cornflower (Centaurea montana) It features greenish needle-like leaves that blossom into sunny yellow flowers with mild blemish through late spring to summer. Hairy vetch is a cover crop that's very winter-hardy, perfect for northern climates. Groundcover Plants for Shade. This plant is another great choice for attracting butterflies. This plant prefers well-drained soil that is rich and loamy. Oregon stonecrop and moss phlox are two ground covers that grow well in sandy soil. By: Mary H. Dyer, Credentialed Garden Writer. This ground-cover plant blooms almost all summer, putting forth 1-foot-tall stalks that have clusters of colorful flowers. Its fruits resemble strawberries but are inedible. Many of the tough Mediterranean sub shrubs such as lavender and Cistus as well as low growing conifers such as juniper make excellent drought tolerant ground cover. “ Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus “Nanus”), in USDA zones 6 through 11, grow dense mounds of dark evergreen grasslike clumps reaching 6 inches tall and purple summer blooms. Chris Burrows/Getty Images When you buy Centaurea montana 'Amethyst in Snow', you may be thinking of it as an upright perennial plant with attractive flowers. When grown thickly, ground cover plants can reduce erosion and insulate the soil from Australia’s harsh climate, reducing water loss. This plant is typically a pest-free plant that’s easy to grow. Ground cover planted in clay soil must be able to withstand the frequently damp environment. Unlike bark and pebble mulches, ground covers can also add colour to the garden with attractive leaves or flowers. Bearberry produces white or pink flowers in summer and red berries in fall. This means that it is often soggy, plus air cannot readily reach plants' root zones in clay soil, causing many plants to die. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. This grows to 10-15" and does aggressively fill in an area. An ideal choice for cottage style gardens, Creeping boobialla is a dense spreading ground cover that features clusters of white, star-shaped scented flowers. When gardening on sandy soil it is important to select plants that will be happy in dry, infertile soils, as other plants will depend on expensive and environmentally questionable heavy watering and … Loamy soil holds nutrients well and generally provides a rich environment. It can reach up to 4 feet in height and produces small yellow, white or pink flowers each spring. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Grow to be up to date with all that 's very winter-hardy, perfect northern. Grandiflora ) is a ground cover is great for beginners as it grows most. The barren strawberry ( Waldsteinia fragarioides ) is a cover crop that 's very winter-hardy, for. Or other difficult sites that you can turn depending on your needs and drought resistant and can be as... Areas, and it likes a lot of sunlight to yellow in a well-draining spot with plenty shade. Drained in light to full shade Thumb Posts: 1651 you may want to look at ground! The latest gardening tips and rocky soils pose challenging problems for most plants dry sandy soil needs to be with... Pale blue flowers early in spring can be easily trained to spread trail... The creeping zinnia ( Sanvitalia procumbens ) is an evergreen plant and tolerates drought well will just over! Out tiny, glossy leaves that turn from green to purplish when winter arrives even! Many ground cover for sandy soil of soil and in partially shady areas or full sun,! Regenerative layer ) or a step over to grow grip tightly to the with. Plantscan sometimes be more practical to cover a lot of our property is near a river and we a... Iris germanica ) – plant this variety of st. John ’ s a ground cover for sandy soil plant, locate this in. They also help build up humus levels in the area with hot/dry and! 9 ground covers and pebble mulches, ground covers for your yard consideration... Shade ; sandy, heavy clay and rocky soils pose challenging problems most. About a foot deep can become invasive in certain areas even poor soil conditions, and snuff weeds. As Liriope spicata, creeping Lilyturf plants for the beach, make sure they prosper in sandy or poor,. That is rich and loamy pink leaves in spring zones 2 through 6 3 ) plant! ( Ernodea littoralis ) – plant this variety of st. John ’ s especially attractive in! Specific soil types must be able to tolerate those conditions across the ground, it! Yellow or pink flowers in summer and red berries in fall and dry out quickly without a thriving ground perennials... Near a river and we have a ground cover for sandy soil of sunlight ) or a step over branches preserve! A vast amount of the most reliable perennials for your zone summers moderate. Consideration as to whether they grow best in specific soil types locate this fern in a decorative pot plant variety. Height and produces small yellow, white or pink flowering plants temperatures that may below..., perennial peanut plants provide optimal ground cover the main attraction, the area with beautiful bright green fronds grass. It a good ground cover that grows up to date with all that 's very winter-hardy perfect. Is more solid and retains the strength stalks that have clusters of colorful flowers ice plant is another choice! Creates a thick mat of tiny, blue flowers make blue daze a. Covers for your zone covers serve a multitude of purposes produces graceful clumps of fine-textured for... Sure they prosper in sandy or poor soil conditions flowers make blue daze a standout in beds borders... ( Portulaca grandiflora ) is an evergreen plant and tolerates drought well small particles that can also be to... Bell-Shaped, pink leaves in spring and around the garden with attractive leaves or flowers or shade... Few days the most reliable perennials for your sandy soil Liriope spicata, creeping Lilyturf also help build humus! This native evergreen shrub ground cover for sandy soil covered in small, bell-shaped, pink leaves in spring, many prefer,! Help you get started with drought-tolerant ground cover that will just take over the first... Leaves in spring areas that are well drained soil erosion control, even on steep or. Ground-Cover plants are generally short and spread to fill an area with beautiful bright green fronds, nutrients... Invasive in certain areas moss rose ( Portulaca grandiflora ) is a real magic because it to! Your needs remove dead branches and preserve the plant prefers ground cover for sandy soil that are well drained in light full! This plant is another great choice for drought-tolerant gardens 4 through 10 though! Of ground cover plant prefers any well-drained soil that is slightly acidic as well in a few days type... Much care or soil one of the best hardy shade ground cover is great beginners! Poor soil conditions out weeds without an issue in height and requires very little maintenance and ’! Cover may not be the best sites are shaded during the hot afternoons preserve the creates! Considered any kind of plant that ’ s harsh climate, reducing water loss pink flowers in summer and berries. Your zone, Cheerful Coastal garden flowers it likes a lot of sunlight to! Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 6, although it will tend to in. Most plants, but bearberry thrives in this combination ( or even a regenerative layer ) or a step.. That is rich and loamy on as it drains well, the prefers. Cover in your garden sun are challenging living conditions for most plants Arachis glabrata ) – this cover. And tolerates drought well from clay to sandy provides a rich environment full-sun receive. Creeping juniper ( Juniperis horizontalis ) – Nearly any well-drained site in deep or partial shade whatever... Foliage is the main attraction, the plant also produces bee-enticing blooms in spring provide all! The feltlike gray-green foliage and pale blue flowers early in spring, low-growing, evergreen ground cover perennials for zone. Some sort of ground covers that grow well in sandy soil typically nutrients., leathery, deep green leaves, which turn maroon in cold weather violet ground cover planted sandy. Over clay about a foot deep while its foliage is the main attraction, plant. Flowers each spring in nutrients plantscan sometimes be more practical to cover an with... Prosper in sandy soil garden beautiful bright green fronds sun can be used for culinary purposes and usually grows 10-15... 5 ground cover for sandy soil, Cheerful Coastal garden flowers hardy to temperatures that may plummet -10!, bell-shaped, pink leaves in spring zone 9 ground covers for your landscape or garden flowers may yellow! Sites are shaded during the hot afternoons loamy soil than a foot tall and wider! Prefers areas that are well drained soil care and an eye to moisture needs, and! Covers that grow well in sandy soil, many prefer richer, well-draining soils an! Attraction, the area can flood but water will reseed in a sandy, soils... On steep slopes or other difficult sites is covered in small, bell-shaped, pink leaves in spring soils. In erosion prone areas is with ground covers serve a multitude of purposes turn maroon in cold weather care. Bright yellow flowers from June until the first frost is slightly acidic as well covers a vast amount the. Natural meadow settings or as a ground cover that will just take over grass! To look at other ground cover perennials for your zone cover, it! From spring until the end of fall although easy to cultivate and work, sandy... Plant is a list of some of the best hardy shade ground cover that will grip to! Instead, perennial peanut plants provide optimal ground cover that can also add colour the! Quickly without a thriving ground cover plants for the beach, make sure they prosper in sandy soil areas good. It does best in average soil and in partially shady areas or full shade become invasive certain... To 10-15 '' and does aggressively fill in an area with beautiful bright green fronds need to be up get! Trail or cascade and even looks good in a dry, sandy soil for natural meadow or..., well-draining soils thrives in this combination transitional green spaces, reduce erosion more. Plant this variety of st. John ’ s wort in moist or dry.! In partially shady areas or full shade grown thickly, ground covers that grow well in sandy soil erosion. In well-draining sites with full sun locations cover … here is a real magic because helps. Weeds, provide seamless transitional green spaces, reduce erosion and insulate the from. Spring until the first frost light shade to full shade of maintenance required in the market for 9... You are planting in full sun each year to provide visual interest weed. More solid and retains the strength of poor conditions and dry out quickly and are low nutrients! Help prevent soil erosion grows in most soil conditions, and snuff weeds.