4" Groundcover
Walk on the Wildside® hardy groundcovers are easy to grow, easy to maintain, and fun to walk on! They are displayed in spring green colored pint pots with wild animal print labels. The plants are nearly indestructible with vibrant blooms that attract butterflies and add splashes of color to the landscape.
This collection is a favorite with children!
Each label features an animal to express its tolerance of foot traffic: light, medium, or heavy.
Squirrel - Light foot traffic (1-2 times a week)
Lion - Medium foot traffic (1-2 times a day)
Elephant - Heavy foot traffic (3-4 times a day)
Many uses:
- Cover topiaries
- Spill over hillsides and banks
- Ramble beneath shrub borders
- Tuck between the cracks of paving stones & pathways
- Drape over the sides of decorative containers & herb baskets
|
Variety |
Description | Height | Spacing | Sun | Foot Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ajuga Chocolate Chip |
A dwarf, fast growing groundcover that forms a mat of attractive, small and glossy, rich chocolate brown colored leaves. In May to June spikes of attractive, lavender-blue flowers rise above the foliage and are attractive to butterflies. Ideal when planted to fill smaller areas, under trees and shrubs, in rock gardens or in the front of perennial borders. Divide in spring or fall by tearing apart the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil in part sun to part shade. Will accept moderate foot traffic once or twice a day when established. Hardy in zone 4. | 2-4" | 12-18"++ | Part Sun to Part Shade | Medium |
Isotomoa Blue Star Creeper |
A pretty, creeping plant that layers and forms a carpet of up to 12" wide. In spring and summer masses of tiny, blue, star shaped flowers appear in abundance. Perfect as a lawn substitute and excellent between stepping stones. Is ideal for growing around ponds and decks. Divide in spring or fall by tearing apart the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrives in full sun to part shade in moist, well drained soil however will tolerate a wide range of soils and conditions including light frost. Tolerates a small amount of foot traffic weekly once established. Hardy in zones 5-7. | 3" | 12" | Sun to Part Sun | Heavy |
Leptinella Brass Buttons |
Create a soft carpet in your garden with this low growing, mat forming groundcover with dull green, feathery, fern-like foliage. Delightful, small, yellow-green chamomile-like flowers are borne well into summer. Perfect for planting between pavers, as an edging plant and for rockeries. Is ideal in hanging baskets and for combination container plantings. Divide in spring or fall by tearing apart the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrive in part shade in moist, loamy soils and will tolerate light frosts. Keep moist in warmer weather. Tolerates a small amount of foot traffic weekly one established. Hardy in zones 5-9. Plants are not skid-resistant, please walk with care on any plant material. | 1-2" | 12" | Shade to Part Shade | Medium |
Leptinella Platt's Black |
Add interest to your garden with this low growing, mat forming groundcover that has distinctive bronze-black, fern-like foliage. The small golden-yellow flowers that appear in summer often go unnoticed due to the striking foliage. Perfect for planting between pavers, as an edging plant and for rockeries. Is ideal in hanging baskets and for combination container plantings. Divide in spring or fall by tearing apart the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrive in part shade in moist, loamy soils and will tolerate light frosts. keep moist in warmer weather. Tolerates a small amount of foot traffic weekly once established. Hardy in zones 5-9. Plants are not skid-resistant, please walk with care on any plant material. | Prostrate | Shade to Part Shade | Medium | |
Lotus Corniculatus Plenus |
This fast growing, mat forming perennial has delightful, tiny dark green leaves. It is ideal for use as a quick grower between stepping stones or as a complete lawn substitute. Over the summer months the foliage is completely covered by yellow, pea-shaped double flowers that open from striking orange buds. Excellent as a groundcover and for borders as well as rockeries and hanging baskets. Divide is spring or fall by tearing apart the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrives in full sun to part shade and is adaptable to poor soils including clay soils. Can be evergreen in warmer climates. Tolerates a small amount of foot traffic once established. Hardy in zones 4-10. Plants are not skid-resistant, please walk with care on any plant material. | 4" | 12" | Part Sun to Part Shade | Heavy |
Lysimachia Creeping Jenny |
Bright green, coin-shaped, trailing foliage with bright yellow flowers in May through June. Grow in rich, well-drained to moist soil in part sun to part shade. Use for groundcover and plant around water features. Zones 3-8. | 4" | 12-24"++ | Part Sun to Part Shade | Medium |
Lysimachia Golden Creeping Jenny |
This vigorous, low spreading groundcover has gold, coin-shaped, trailing foliage with bright golden-yellow flowers in July to August. Superb planted in decorative mixed containers, in moist, shady situations along ponds, streams, and water gardens, as a lawn substitute, or cascading over walls. Division in spring or early fall is easy as the stems root into the ground wherever they touch; therefore, simply move new plantlets to take root and grow. This semi-evergreen thrives in rich, well-drained to moist soil in part sun to part shade. Will accept moderate foot traffic once or twice a day when established. Hardy in Zone 4. | 4" | 12-24"++ | Part Sun to Part Shade | Medium |
Mazus Purple |
A quick growing plant that is successful in covering areas fast! Brilliant, deep green foliage forms a low growing mat that is smothered with masses of tiny purple-zaure blue flowers over the spring months and into early summer. Ideal as a lawn substitute, to fill crevices between stepping stones, for planting in rock gardens and as a groundcover. Divide in spring or fall by tearing apart the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrives in full sun to part shade is moist, well-drained soil. Keep moist in warmer weather. Tolerates a small amount of foot traffic once established. Hardy in zones 5-7. | 6" | 12" | Sun to Part Sun | Medium |
Mazus White |
A quick growing plant that is successful in covering areas fast! Brilliant, deep green foliage forms a low growing mat that is smothered with masses of tiny white flowers over the spring months and into early summer. Ideal as a lawn substitute to fill crevices between stepping stones, for planting in rock gardens and as a groundcover. Divide in spring or fall by tearing apart the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrives in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil. Keep moist in warmer weather. Tolerates a small amount of foot traffic once established. Hardy in zones 5-7. | 6" | 12" | Sun to Part Sun | Medium |
Sagina Irish Moss |
This extremely popular evergreen groundcover displays a carpet of low, moss-like foliage in a bright, shamrock green. Tiny little white flowers appear in June to July. Excellent for tucking in between the cracks of paving or stepping stones and planting in the rock garden. Easy to divide in early spring or fall by tearing the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrives in full to part shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Will accept heavy foot traffic three or more times a day once established. Hardy in Zone 4. | 4" | 10-12" | Sun to Part Sun | Heavy |
Sagina Scotch Moss |
Also know as Pearlwort, this plant features evergreen golden foliage with white flowers in June and July. Excellent for tucking in between the cracks of paving or stepping stones and planting in the rock garden. Easy to divide in early spring or fall by tearing the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrives in full to part shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Will accept heavy foot traffic three or more times a day once established. Hardy in zone 4. | 4" | 10-12" | Full to Part Shade | Heavy |
Sedum Spurium John Creech |
This handy, succulent groundcover forms a mat of attractive, bright green foliage. During autumn the foliage turns a spectacular shade of burgundy, and over the spring months pink-mauve flowers. Perfect for tucking between the cracks of paving stones and dry pathways, gravel walkways, beneath shrub borders, or spilling over hillsides and banks, and decorative containers. Divide in spring or fall by tearing the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrive in full sun in average, well-drained soil and tolerates dryness. Will accept heavy foot traffic three or more times a day once established. Hardy in Zone 4. | 3" | 6" | Full Sun | Medium |
Thymus Creeping |
Creeping thyme is one of the best low, creeping groundcovers with edible, aromatic pale pink flowers in May to September. The delightful foliage will release its spicy fragrance when crushed underfoot. Plant it as a delightful edging plant, tuck it between the cracks of paving stones and walkways, or allow it to spill over the sides of decorative containers and herb baskets. It can be used as a drought tolerant lawn substitute. Divide in spring or early fall by tearing the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Even small pieces will take root and grow. This evergreen thyme thrives in average, well-drained soil in full to part sun and will accept moderate foot traffic once or twice a day when established. Hardy in Zone 3. | 4" | 24" | Full Sun | Medium |
Thymus Creeping Red |
As you step onto this carpet of mat-forming foliage, you will release the spicy fragrance of this evergreen perennial. The dark green foliage is even smothered with edible, dainty, crimson-red flowers in May through September. Plant this strong grower as a delightful edging plant or groundcover. You can also tuck it between the cracks of paving stones and walkways, or allow it to spill over the sides of decorative containers and herb baskets. As an additional delight, this plant also attracts butterflies. Divide in spring or fall, by tearing the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrives in full to part sun in average, well-drained soil; drought tolerant. Will accept heavy foot traffic three or more times a day once established. Hardy in Zone 3. | 2-4" | 18-30" | Full to Part Sun | Heavy |
Thymus Transparent Yellow |
A beautiful herb with delightfully aromatic golden foliage, aging to green-gold with the growing season. When crushed the leaves emit a fresh lemon fragrance. Tiny pink flowers appear above the foliage in summer. Plant it as a delightful edging plant or groundcover. Can be tucked between the cracks of paving stones and walkways, or allow it to spill over the sides of decorative containers and herb baskets. Divide in spring or fall by tearing apart the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting. Thrives in full sun in average, well-drained soil and tolerate dryness. Will accept heavy foot traffic three or more times a day once established. Hardy in Zone 4. | 4" | 12" | Full Sun | Heavy |
Veronica Sunshine |
A tough and colorful spreading perennial with mat forming, chartreuse colored foliage and light blue flowers in May to June. Forms an evergreen carpet in small areas of the rock garden, spilling over the edges of rock walls, in decorative containers, and tucked between the cracks of paving stones and walkways. It is also attractive planted as a groundcover beneath early spring blooming bulbs. Divide in spring or early fall by tearing the clumps into smaller pieces and replanting; even small pieces will take root and grow. Thrives in average, well-drained soil in shade or sun and dislikes extreme drought. Will accept moderate foot traffic once or twice a day when established. Hardy in Zone 4. | 2-4" | 16" | Sun or Shade | Medium |
The Great Coverups™
| Variety | Description | Height | Spacing | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ajuga Mahogany |
An effective mat-forming plant with shimmering bronze foliage and spikes of blue flowers in June. Grow in rich, well-drained soil in part sun to part shade. Use as groundcover. Hardy in Zones 4-9. | 4-8" | 12-18"++ | Part Shade |
English Ivy Hedera Helix |
Grown for its decorative foliage, English Ivy is a tough, adaptable plant which is equally happy indoors or outdoors. Will thrive in most soils. Ideal groundcover or for use in hanging baskets, pots, ferneries and patios. Outdoors use the English Ivy to cover walls, arches and fences. Prune regularly to keep compact. Frost Hardy. | 24" | 24-36" | Part Shade to Full Shade |
Lamium Beacon Silver |
Silver foliage with green margins and orchid-pink flowers from May to June. Grows in evenly moist, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Use for edging or groundcover to brighten up a shady garden. Hardy in Zones 4-8. | 6-12" | 12-24"++ | Part Shade |
Pachysandra |
A widely used evergreen groundcover that forms a thick mat of attractive, waxy, glossy green leaves. Small terminals of white flowers are produced in April. Green carpet thrives in those difficult shady locations. an ideal plant for groups or mass plantings, sloped area, or under shrubs and trees. Grow in rich, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Hardy in Zone 4. | 6-12" | 10-24"++ | Part Sun to Full Shade |
Sedum Dragons Blood |
An attractive succulent producing bronzy-green foliage with clusters of rich carmine-red flowers in July. Grows in average, well-drained soil in full sun. Use in the rock gardens and as a groundcover. Hardy in Zones 3-9. | 4" | 12" | Full Sun |
Vinca Minor |
Popular, evergreen perennial groundcover with thick mats of glossy green foliage and saucer-shaped, reddish-purple flowers in May-June. A vigorous grower best used in mass plantings or under trees and shrubs. Thrives in rich, well-drained soil in part sun to full shade. Hardy in Zone 4. | 6" | 36"++ | Part Shade |
