Ground Covers: Groundcovers are low-lying plants, usually chosen with aesthetic considerations in mind and requiring minimal maintenance. If groundcovers are projected to cover large expanses of ground on the landscape, the initial cost will be much greater than for sowing grass seed; but groundcovers may save you money in the long run, as expenses such as tune-ups for lawn mowers will be eliminated. Groundcovers and cover crops are different groups of plants, despite some overlap.

Click on an image for a large view Agapanthus Africanus This is an evergreen species which produces umbels of bell-shaped blue flowers that will bloom in the summer. The leaves are strap-like and glossy bright green and very attractive. The roots are thick and tuberous and they should be divided every few seasons in the spring to maintain its vigour. The blooms are great for cutting and containers. They will grow especially well in cool climates. You should remove the fading blooms; this will benefit your plant and stimulate further flowering. You should water and feed well during the growing season. Ageratum Houstonianum This species is a half-hardy or tender annual. It will produce fluffy flowering clusters of blooms all summer. The soft blue, pink or white flowers will combine well with other flowering border plants or foliage plants. They will benefit from a monthly fertilizing in the growing season. The seeds are usually started indoors and set out as transplants after all danger of frost has passed. You can grown them in partial shade especially in warm climates. Alternanthera Species There are about 80 species in this genus mostly from warmer parts of the world. They consist of annuals and perennials (and a few aquatics). The bushy perennials usually have the leaves arranged in opposite pairs. The flowers are small and produced in dense clusters of off-white bracts that appear at the leaf nodes. Many are low sprawling or prostrate plants, with weak stems and simple leaves arranged in opposite pairs. These plants are useful for carpeting or bedding. Frost tender, min 15-18C. Needs sun or partial shade and moist but well drained soil. Propagate by tip cuttings or division in spring. Amaranthus Tricolor This is a half-hardy to frost tender annual. If the climate is mild you can sow directly outdoors. The foliage colour will be more vivid if grown in poor quality soil. This is an attractive and very dramatic plant for your garden. The flowers of this annual are insignificant compared to its value as a foliage plant. Arundo Donax This is an ornamental grass. It is a tall-growing species which will reach about 4m; this plant can create a dramatic effect in your landscape. The flowers are panicle spikes which will appear in the autumn. Asparagus Densiflorus This evergreen species is an arching tuberous perennial. The leaves are linear and light green. In the summer axillary racemes of small white blooms are produced. Carissia Grandiflora This is a bushy spreading evergreen shrub which is native to South Africa. The leaves are dark green, with fragrant flowers that are white and star-shaped, followed by plum-like, red edible fruits. The stems have spines which can be painful to trespassers. They will prefer a warm southern or western exposure, with protection from the frost. Cenchrus Ciliaris Perennial [grass], sometimes short-rhizomatous and forming mats or tussocks; culms ascending, 10-150 cm tall, 1-2 mm in diameter, wiry or sometimes almost woody at base, sometimes many-branched from lower or basal nodes. Sheaths keeled, glabrous or sparsely pilose; ligule a densely ciliate membrane 0.5-2.5 mm long; blades 3-25 cm long, 2-13 mm wide, glabrous or sparsely pilose, apex caudate. Coleus Species These are perennials, annuals and evergreen sub-shrubs. They are grown for their colourful leaves and flowers. They are hardy or some species are frost tender, min 4-10C. Grow them in sun or partial shade with fertile well drained soil. You should choose a sheltered position. Water them freely in the summer and much less at other times. You can propagate by seeds sown under glass in late winter or by softwood cuttings in the spring or summer. Watch out for mealy bugs and whitefly which may cause problems. Crinum Asiaticum A tropical Asian species which can be a dramatic plant for a frost-free garden. Its long-necked bulbs produce fleshy, broad strap-shaped leaves making a clump to 1.2 m high. The stout flowering stem carries profuse sweetly scented white flowers with very narrow petals which opening through much of the year. The poisonous bulbs were once used medicinally, as an emetic; they present little danger in the garden. There is a rare form with pale pink flowers, another with soft golden-yellow leaves, and one with its leaves boldly striped in green and cream. 1 2 3 4