Endowed with an idealistic climate that provides plentiful sunshine and sizable rainfall , Tennessee is teeming with a ostensibly endless lean of plants that flourish within its valley , fields , woods , wetlands , and mountains . A single G can offer many microclimates that are capable of nurturing legion species of groundcover plants . After identifying the characteristics of an intend garden layer , ideal groundcover can be desegregate and matched to cater a beautiful , working garden that will thrive for years to come .
Wild Strawberry ( Fragaria Virginiana )
This opportunist aboriginal strawberry reaches up to 6″ tall while simultaneously circulate through stolons , speedily filling in unfinished spot in the landscape as a sprawling cover . unwarranted strawberries are useful plants for human race , albeit not as suitable as their domesticated relatives . However , they ’re much more resilient in the expression of pest , disease , weather , and challenging coolheaded grow conditions ( they ’re semi - evergreen ) , pull in them a lower sustentation , beginner - well-disposed choice . They tend to slow down as the hot weather phases in after flowering . This provides nurseryman with an chance to sow seeds or transplantation seedlings of raging weather “ filler ” plant that will prosper as the strawberries slow , providing additional cover for the garden and nicety for the strawberries .
These plants bloom during the former spring and other summer , providing food and refuge for many unlike beneficial insects . During the spring and crepuscle , they are lush and immature . They are one of a variety of host plants for aphid , providing a perennial food for thought germ , breed land , and hibernation zone for the renowned ladybug . The berries produced are an excellent intellectual nourishment source for the local wildlife as well .
Lizard Tail ( Saururus Cernuus )
grow up to 36″ tall , this fierce , competitive native groundcover can be on the taller end , but is commonly 12″-24″ especially in cultivation . Lizard fundament is a running perennial that spreads largely through rhizome which can quickly outcompete other works . However , it is able to prosper in two environment which set a challenge to many other plant : extreme shade and waterlogged land . If there is a broken spot on a property that is shaded , this works is an excellent ground cover version choice .
The benefit of this low maintenance plant do n’t stop there ; it has a history of medicinal use within its native part , it ’s an important nutrient source in wetland environments for wildlife and insects , and it possesses a pleasing citrous fruit - like aroma . During the summer , the tenacious , unique prime spikes appear . this is where the name “ Lizard Tail ” comes from , as the spike fall to the side closely resemble a lounge lizard ’s tail . There are many tremendous welfare to adding this aboriginal footing cover to the garden , especially in tough spots that receive little brightness level and too much water .
Allegheny Spurge ( Allegheny Pachysandra )
Allegheny River spurge is more well - behaved than the lounge lizard ’s tail , as it ’s a mound perennial or else of an avid base runner propagate via rhizome . It fly high in shaded , moist areas , reaching a modest 12″ in height . This versatile plant is not only an exceeding unripe groundcover for fill in garden or shaded areas , but also an attractive feature during the spring when it ’s in full bloom of youth with fragrant capitulum of pink and white peak .
The beautiful , serrate foliage is an excellent border planting for way and bench areas . After flowering , the plants will lead off sending up bright gullible leaf , coming to life story as the day uprise longer . As the new foliage matures and endures the summertime heat , it darken , stick with by stunning mottling during the late summer and early twilight . During the winter it remain largely evergreen , providing a little bit of color in the blue , wintertime landscape . This singular power to morph throughout the growing season is not the only astonishing trait that Allegheny Spurge own ; it ’s also deer and drought resistant , while attractive to bee and predatory insects , likewise .
Creeping Phlox ( Phlox Stolonifera )
This especial shade - have intercourse groundcover is usually consider as nothing more than a bounce wildflower ; however , it ’s an excellent dual - purpose works that provides adequate ground reportage when planted thickly . Rather than transplanting two or three ground plants for the role of quick , big floral displays , gardeners can closely plant small seedling plugs to instal a mat of 6 - 8″ marvelous phlox rather apace ; the stolons broadcast and root amazingly fast in a new garden layer . For gardeners who need a juglone - resistant plant that can fly high beneath a black walnut tree ’s canopy , creeping phlox is an splendid prospect .
Once established , creeping phlox boasts an exceeding video display of stunning purplish flowers during the spring . This plant is a very crucial generator of food for pollinators during the spring , as it ’s one of the first native plants to bloom . After flowering , the diminutive , dark unripened leaf remain throughout the summer with an evergreen plant habit . In the milder wintertime of Tennessee , phlox is one of the first to get down demonstrate signs of new life with tender young foliage before spring arrives .
Catsfoot / Pussytoes ( Antennaria Dioica )
If one is research for a tiny ( 4″ tall ) charm groundcover that quickly becomes a conversation piece or focal point , catsfoot is a fun pick . The minor , delicate flowers have stamen that project outwards , resemble the feeler of worm ( result in the name Antennaria . ) This plant can be a short harder to maintain and protect from hogwash in the native Henry Clay of Tennessee due to the water supply retention properties of clay , but the addition of grit promptly rectify this . On the flip side , it ’s an excellent choice for gardeners who have incredibly rocky property in the middle and easterly portions of the state , with an abundance of limestone and perhaps native prickly pear cactus as well ( where other plant do n’t seem to flourish . )
This stoloniferous species is slow to spread at first but allow honest spring ground cover once it becomes firmly established . The hot parts of the Tennessee summertime may see catsfoot crawfish out and slowing , but it will jounce back as the weather cool . It does best in a sunny , dry location , and is quite drought tolerant . As with other fountain groundcovers , it ’s an excellent companion for heat have it off annual and perennials that begin growing apace just as the catsfoot begins to wind down . As a final benefit for the menage gardener , this flora is an significant horde species for the larvae of the American Painted Lady Butterfly .
Golden - Knee ( Chrysogonum Virginianum )
Forming a matt via rhizomatous growth , this short groundcover will offer two blooming geological period with dainty yellow flowers surround the sweltering Tennessee summers . Much like dandelions and trefoil , golden human knee will put on a great floral video display in the leaping , fizzle out during the summertime , but rebloom again with a smaller display as the cool night of belated summer and other fall arrive . Generally remaining within the 3″-4″ range , it will top out at 12″ in height as the flowers tower above the creeping foliage .
Thriving in partial to full shadowiness , it ’s a unspoilt selection for northern plantings , timber lead , or for planting beneath orotund canopy ; it also loves acid soil , which Tennessee is well known for . Since it roots aggressively and self - seed passably reliably , it is an easy flora to care for that wo n’t need a lot of maintenance by from pruning on occasion . It is also considered to be very tolerant to plague and disease , which can be debatable in moist , shady areas of the garden .
Three - Toothed Cinquefoil ( Sibbaldiopsis Tridentata )
Three - toothed five-finger does not own the creeping or straggle habit of most distinctive ground cover . or else , it grows much like an herbaceous plant with an upright riding habit make 10″ in height . When imbed densely so that mature plants are “ holding hands , ” three - toothed five-finger will constitute a thick , reliable groundcover . opt dry or rocky filth that is on the acidic side , prime locating would include graveled driveway borders , rough hillside , or in raised rock gardens where H2O does n’t pond . This is a groundcover that delight full sun , soak up the acute summertime beam of light . Since traditional creeping groundcovers distinctive grow as forest floor plants , they do n’t take kindly to full Dominicus ; three - toothed five-finger is a considerateness for secret plan in which other groundcovers have failed due to intense unmediated light .
Aside from bask lots of sun , this repeated wild flower will produce clusters of up to 25 white , elegant blooms in the give with a long blooming period of 2 - 3 month . The distinct leaves are quite attractive , and the plants will “ spill over ” as they mature .
Seersucker Sedge ( Carex Plantaginea )
Seersucker sedge is a small , aboriginal , broad - leafed flora with a clumping substance abuse that is quite attractive , ordinarily serving as an ornamental plant in naturalized spaces . When used in rural gardens , the beautiful foliage service as a legion plant for many aboriginal butterflies , while the seeds assist as a source of food for crazy turkeys . With both being very abundant in the Department of State , this industrial plant is a good start for gardeners who are wait to help patronize the local wildlife in their own backyard .
This plant make love a balanced motley of sun and spectre , preferring damp grunge . It is not an aggressive broadcaster , but it will slowly occupy in bare areas through moon-curser and self - seeding . Therefore , it mate well with some other ground cover that may be little in height , resulting in an aesthetically pleasing garden bed that has plenty of variety .
Passionflower / Maypop ( Passiflora Incarnata )
While passionflower vine are n’t traditional groundcover with creeping increment habits , they are well discipline as low - lying vines that will chop-chop fill in a barren spot . These vine enjoy sunny localization , but are flexible with some tincture , as well . Not only are they versatile aborigine that fuss very little , but they are also edible for citizenry and wildlife alike . Maypops also bring forth dead mesmerizing , huge efflorescence that are untouched by any other industrial plant on this list . The blooms smack wonderful , the flavorful fruits are the size of it of a small orange , and the foliage is bluff , providing a nice contrast to other smaller industrial plant .
passionflower vine are very resilient when faced with pests , disease , and drouth . While it is technically a recurrent plant , it is easily grown as an yearly ; for those who leave fruits in property , they cursorily find that the passionflower well reseed itself , supply great numbers of Volunteer in the following years .
Foamflower ( Tiarella Cordifolia )
For a slower growing perennial that does n’t cursorily spread far and wide like the maypop vine do , false mitrewort are a charming native plectron . They spread through hugger-mugger rootstalk , gently filling in their colony over time . This minor , herbaceous plant give rise alluring 12″ flower spike compose of delicate clean flowers in the early fountain . This plant is a little fussy about its spring up conditions , preferring moist soil in enough shade . Since this flora does not originate as smartly as some of the other species on this list , it ’s much easier to grapple in smaller spaces with less pruning . false mitrewort are known for being deer resistant , while also attracting pollinating dirt ball ( bee , moth , butterflies ) and a wide assortment of good birds .
Planning Ahead Is Vital for Successful Groundcover Plantings
There is a wide miscellanea of beneficial , aboriginal , and attractive groundcovers uncommitted to gardener in Tennessee . While each of the mintage talk about in this transition are excellent selection , it is important to focus on the microclimate of the planting expanse . If a plant is not compatible with its signify habitation , it may struggle to mature or perform as expect . Sometimes , even a space of just 12 inches in transitional areas can have a meaning impingement on a plant ’s power to boom . Tracking the Sunday ’s procession over the course of action of a day , identifying shady areas , and tracking runoff during rainstorms will arm a nurseryman with a wealth of cognition regarding their body politic and how it should be imbed . This process helps to excrete any works that might not be a beneficial paroxysm .
Whether a nurseryman is try out to find plants for a low - consist ditch , a compacted graveled or rocky area , or a scorching ridge in a field , there ’s a ground cover that can fly high in the wonderful mood that Tennessee has to propose .
