Our Favorite Ground Cover Plants to Grow in Georgia
Ground cover plants are low-maintenance and make a great addition to any garden. They are easy to grow, require little care, and provide many benefits. The best ground cover plants for Georgia are those that can tolerate dry conditions and heat, and drought. Here are some of the best ground cover plants that you can grow in Georgia:
Irish Moss
Irish moss is an excellent choice for Georgia, as it can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and is not fussy about the amount of light it receives. It also proliferates, creating dense foliage perfect for hiding unsightly rocks and stones in your garden.
The low-maintenance plant produces an attractive green carpet of leaves and provides a habitat for beneficial insects like ladybugs and spiders. It also makes an excellent ground cover because it grows quickly, but not too fast, thanks to its thick rhizome.
This means you can use less space than other ground covers while still having plenty of coverage. In addition, Irish moss requires moist soil and little water once established. It can also tolerate dry soil conditions.
Mondo Grass
Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) is a fine, low-growing plant that has recently gained popularity. It will grow anywhere from 0.25 to 1.5 feet tall, depending on how much space you provide. Mondo grass can be used as a ground cover, an edging for flower beds, or a border around walkways.
It has small leaves that are green in color and will produce tiny flowers that are yellowish-green in color. The best time to plant Mondo grass is after planting other plants, such as flowers or shrubs, because it proliferates and needs plenty of room to spread its roots and grow taller.
Sweet Flag Grass
Sweet Flag Grass is a common and easy-to-grow plant that provides an attractive lawn-like appearance in your landscape. Sweet Flags are perennial plants that flower from the base, producing masses of small white flowers. The plant grows 1-2 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide. It can grow in full sun or partial shade, but it does best with full sun. It tolerates dry and wet soil well but does not do well in clay soils.
Sweet Flag Grass can be used for ornamental purposes, erosion control, or windbreak. It has no negative impacts on wildlife or other plants, so you can plant it in any area without any concerns about its effects on other plants or animals. The seeds are eaten by various birds, who then spread them throughout their range when they migrate at different times of the year.
Southern Lady Fern
Southern Lady Fern is a low-growing fern that spreads by runners. It grows in parts of Georgia but not in the extreme southern part of the state. Southern Lady Fern is easy to grow and will thrive in any well-drained soil. Plant it in spring or summer, after the last frost date, if you live in a zone where winter frosts occur. To help Southern Lady Fern spread, allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Lily-of-the-valley
Lily-of-the-valley grows in rocky woodlands, especially on limestone bluffs and slopes. It is also found in other parts of the Appalachian Mountains, including North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. In Georgia, flowering usually peaks in April or May.
Lily-of-the-valley has different varieties. The shrubby form grows up to 3 feet high with many branches covered in small white flowers all summer. Other than their appearance, there are no differences among these three types of lily-of-the-valley plants; they all perform the same function for your garden.
Blue Star Creeper
Blue star creeper is a trailing, evergreen vine that grows up to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are up to 12 inches long and have a silvery blue-green color. The flowers are white or pink and grow in clusters on the ends of the stems. Blue star creeper grows best in full sun and moist soil. It is drought tolerant once established but does not do well in areas with too much shade or moisture.
Blue star creepers are a great addition to your garden. These plants create a tall column of foliage, which makes them perfect for covering up unsightly obstacles like fences or walls. They also make an excellent border plant in the front yard.
Bugleweed
Bugleweed is a perennial flowering plant that grows in Georgia. It’s hardiness zones 3 through 11. The plant can grow up to 10 feet tall and has long, narrow leaves. Bugleweed can grow in fields, on roadsides, along railroad tracks, and in many other areas where farmers have planted it for erosion control. Bugleweed can also be found in most open spaces throughout Georgia. It is a popular landscaping plant because it requires little care and does well in various locations.
The flowers grow about 6 inches long and have petals. They have a sweet smell that attracts hummingbirds to your garden, making them great for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are beneficial insects because they help spread pollen among plants in your garden.
Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Garden phlox is a perennial plant that can be grown in the Georgia landscape. The plant is also known as “pale pink.” It is native to the eastern United States and flowers during summer. Garden phlox grows from a bulb, which means it doesn’t need to be dug up once it’s established. It prefers full sun and moist soil but will tolerate partial shade.
Plant Garden Phlox in full sun to partial shade. Garden phlox does not require acidic soil but prefers moist soil, so water regularly from spring through fall. Mulch around the base of garden phlox plants with compost or manure to help retain moisture around your plant’s root zone.
Corsican Mint
Corsican mint is a low-growing perennial that grows to 1 foot in height. It has a few small white flowers and produces slightly fragrant, sweet-smelling mint leaves. The plants are evergreen and can grow in the sun or shade. The leaves are dark green with a minty scent when crushed.
Corsican Mint prefers full sun but tolerates some sunlight and even some shade. It will take wet soil but prefers well-drained soil with an acidic pH level of 6.5-7.5. The plant is suitable for growing in Georgia’s full sun conditions.
Coronilla Plant
The coronilla plant is a small, dainty plant that is perfect for growing in containers. It has a vining growth habit and will reach up to 2 feet tall and wide. The coronilla plant can be grown indoors or outdoors, but it does best when grown in full sun.
The coronilla plant, also known as the citrina, has a spicy aroma. This aromatic herb is used in Mexican and Southwestern cooking, as well as many types of teas and desserts. The leaves can be used fresh or dried for their flavor and medicinal properties.
The plant grows from a single seed, so it’s easy to start from the seed and make your plants. In addition, the drought-tolerant plant makes it a good choice for Georgia’s hot summer months.
Shasta Daisy
A member of the Aster family, Shasta daisies are the most popular of all dahlias. Their bright yellow daisy flowers bloom mid-summer, making them an excellent choice for hot summer days. In addition, Shasta daisies are a fantastic choice for gardens, meadows, and even as a border plant.
They are a beautiful, evergreen perennial that grows to about 2 feet tall and features dark green leaves with silvery white variegated edges. They can be grown in almost any soil type but prefer one that is well-drained and has some organic matter. Shasta daisies come in variegated and solid forms and can be used in any garden setting, from containers to borders.
White Sage
White sage is a shrub that grows up to 3-4 feet tall and can spread to 8 feet. It has gray-green leaves and white flowers in the spring. Sage is drought tolerant, so it can withstand dry spells and even extended periods of drought. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade if you provide extra water during the hot summer.
White sage grows well with other plants like lavender, rosemary, thyme, and mint thrive in the same conditions. In addition, Sage makes an excellent hedge or privacy screen because it’s so hardy.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Ground Cover Plants in Georgia
Hardiness
The hardness is the first factor to consider when choosing ground cover plants in Georgia. Hardiness is the ability of a plant to survive outside in the elements. Most ground cover plants can be grown in your garden, but some are more suitable than others.
For instance, many types of grass and edges have a hardiness rating of 6 to 8 degrees Fahrenheit, while other grasses have a rating of 10 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The lower the temperature rating of a plant, the more likely it is to survive outside in your Georgia garden.
Germination Rate
The germination rate refers to how fast a plant will sprout from its seeds. Of course, some plants take longer than others. For instance, some annuals need about two weeks to grow while others will do so within one week.
So if you want something that does not have a long germination time, choose from annuals with a quick germination rate like Petunias or Zinnias (Zinnia). On the other hand, if you want something that takes a long time to sprout, choose from perennials with a low germination rate, like Sweet Alyssum or Bachelor Button.
Resistance to Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases are always a concern when it comes to gardening. One of the most common pests in Georgia is the mite, which can cause damage to your plants if not controlled. The best way to prevent this problem is to select plants resistant to common pests, such as black vine weevils. Other than this, it would help if you also chose resistant varieties of plants known to be resistant to common pests and diseases.
Size of the Plant
The plant size is another factor you should consider when choosing ground cover plants in Georgia. Smaller shrubs will stay smaller throughout the year, while larger shrubs can grow up to 5 feet tall. This means they’ll be able to create more shade than smaller plants while maintaining their attractive appearance throughout the summer months when sunlight is abundant.
Watering Requirements
Most ground covers are drought tolerant, but they will require supplemental watering in the summer months. Ground covers prefer well-drained soils and are not as drought tolerant as native grasses. If you live in an area that gets less than 18 inches of rain each year, you may need to water your ground cover plants more often than if your area gets over 18 inches of rainfall each year.
Planting Location
The best place to plant a ground cover is at the base of a shrub or tree. This will allow moisture from the soil and root system of the plant to reach the soil’s surface. It will also prevent weeds from growing between your plants and interfering with their growth.
Soil Requirements
If your soil is sandy, you may want to choose a plant that is drought resistant and prefers dry conditions. If you have clay soil, select a plant that is tolerant of wet and dry conditions. You should also check the soil PH level before planting. If it is too high (alkaline), your plants may suffer from root rot or die. Some ground cover plants prefer acidic soils, while others prefer alkaline or neutral ones.
The soil should be well drained and have a low pH. You should use a soil amendment such as compost or manure to improve the ground, which will also help create better drainage. As it is scorching in Georgia, it is important not to overwater your plants and ensure they have proper drainage.
Color
The color of the ground cover plants will determine how much sunlight they receive and how much shade they can provide for other plants around them. Some colors are more desirable than others, depending on what kind of effect you want to achieve with your garden design. For example, reds and oranges tend to attract birds, whereas blues tend to repel insects.
