Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Height |
Remarks |
Ajuga |
Ajuga reptans |
4” |
Part shade/shade; evergreen; fast-spreading groundcover with spikes of blue flowers in summer; spreads by runners. |
Asiatic Jasmine |
Trachelospermum asiaticum |
n/a |
Sun/shade; evergreen; green or variegated foliage with the very rare appearance of small white flowers; widely used as an evergreen groundcover; difficult to remove once established. |
Clover Fern |
Marsilea macropoda |
6"-10” |
Sun or Shade; no flowers; delicate, hairy, clover-like leaves; a nice groundcover for borders and along walk ways; dies back during the winter; a Texas native. |
English Ivy |
Hedera helix |
n/a |
Shade; evergreen; large, glossy, dark-green leaves; capable of climbing 15'-20' over fences and into trees - maintain neatness with annual trimming. |
Frog fruit |
Phyla incisa |
n/a |
Sun/part shade; semi-evergreen; a low-growing groundcover that spreads quickly and provides nectar for butterflies; frogfruit is rarely found in nurseries but can be found growing in many public areas where transplants can be taken. |
Gregg Dalea |
Dalea greggii |
6’-12” |
Sun; evergreen; small purple blooms spring through fall; small, silvery leaves; a great groundcover in rocky areas with poor soil; a Texas native. |
Lantana, Trailing |
Lantana montevidensis |
1’ |
Sun/part shade; spreading and mounding groundcover that blooms spring through frost; purple or white flower varieties available; dies back during late fall and winter; enjoyed by butterflies. |
Liriope |
Liriope muscari |
1'-2' |
Part shade/shade; dark green grass-like foliage with lilac-purple flowers spikes; grows in clumps. |
Monkey (Mondo) Grass |
Ophiopogon japonicus |
n/a |
Part shade/shade; leaves are dark green and grassy; blooms are rarely (if ever) seen; spreads by underground runners; dwarf and variegated varieties available. |
Ruellia "Blue Shade" |
Ruellia squarrosa |
1' |
Sun/shade; semi-evergreen; velvety leaves and light blue to lavender flowers summer through first frost; has a trailing or mounding form; insect and disease resistant. |
Silver Ponyfoot |
Dichondra argentea |
2”-4” |
Sun/part shade; groundcover with attractive, silvery, hoof-shaped leaves; must have good drainage; foliage dies back during winter. |
Snakeroot |
Orbexilum sp. |
6" |
Sun/part shade; evergreen; dense groundcover with small clusters of purple flowers late spring through fall; seeds are enjoyed by wildlife; adaptable to many soils; a great substitute for the over-used asian jasmine; a Texas native. |
Trailing Juniper |
Juniperus sp. |
n/a |
Several varieties available; not suitable for wet, humid areas; sun |
Vinca |
Vinca major |
n/a |
Sun/part shade; hardy groundcover with blue to purple flowers and long trailing stems with dark green, glossy leaves. |
Woolly Stemodia |
Stemodia lanata |
6” |
Sun/part shade; an attractive groundcover with silvery leaves and purple blooms in spring; high heat tolerance; do not over-water; a Texas native. |