Find the Right Ground Cover

These low-growing perennials include good choices for both sunny and shady locations, as well as options for light, moderate and heavy traffic.

Violet 'Dark Freckles' // "Find the Right Ground Cover"

Violet 'Dark Freckles'

This variety of Viola sororia is moderately fast-growing and sports freckled purple flowers in mid-spring. When combined with shade-loving mosses, it creates a woodland effect. ZONES 4-11*

*To find out which zone you live in, visit the U.S. National Arboretum web site

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

1 of 12 Photo: GPL/Country Living

Corsican Mint // "Find the Right Ground Cover"

Corsican Mint

Tiny pale-mauve blossoms appear in summer on the mint-scented herb Mentha requienii. Ideal for shade, it can also handle some afternoon sun and is easily divided. ZONES 6-10

2 of 12 Photo: Ken Druse/Country Living

Miniature Brass Buttons // "Find the Right Ground Cover"

Miniature Brass Buttons

The moisture-loving Leptinella gruveri can withstand some morning light. It's an aggressive grower with tiny, pale fernlike leaves and small green-gold flowers in mid-spring. ZONES 7-10

3 of 12 Photo: Stepables/Country Living

Dianthus 'Sternkissen' // "Find the Right Ground Cover"

Dianthus 'Sternkissen'

A variety of the moderately spreading Dianthus gratianopolitanus, featuring blue-green foliage and clove-scented pink flowers. It requires relatively little water. ZONES 3-9

4 of 12 Photo: Stepables/Country Living

Mazus

The abundant purple flowers of Mazus reptans bloom in mid-spring and remain through early summer. This drought-tolerant plant can also be grown in full sun. ZONES 4-10

5 of 12 Photo: Stepables/Country Living

Blue Star Creeper // "Find the Right Ground Cover"

Blue Star Creeper

Easy-to-grow blue star creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) produces pale-blue flowers that last from spring through early fall. It spreads quickly in filtered light but can also take full sun. ZONES 6-9

6 of 12 Photo: Stepables/Country Living

Sedum 'Baby Tears' // "Find the Right Ground Cover"

Sedum 'Baby Tears'

The teardrop-shaped, variegated leaves on this drought-tolerant succulent (Sedum album) turned red in autumn. The spikes of white flowers that burst forth each summer are a bonus. ZONES 4-9

7 of 12 Photo: Ken Druse/Country Living

Roman Chamomile // "Find the Right Ground Cover"

Roman Chamomile

Scented Chamaemelum nobile thrives in hot, dry conditions. Cut stems back to two inches from the ground after the plant blooms to maintain its compact form. ZONES 4-9

8 of 12 Photo: John Glover/Country Living

Woolly Thyme // "Find the Right Ground Cover"

Woolly Thyme

The herb Thymus pseudolanuginosus grows into a sturdy, scented carpet of fuzzy gray-green leaves that becomes dotted with miniature light-pink flowers each summer. ZONES 6-10

9 of 12 Photo: Andrea Jones/Country Living