Ground Covers

Ground Covers

Any plant that covers and enjoys a symbiotic relationship with ground. From trees and grass to wild strawberries to low-growing plants that might find a home in a patch of topsoil, they protect that topsoil from drying out and eroding.  Roots enter the soil breaking up its compaction and allowing rainwater to infiltrate the soil, keep it moist and prevent the wind from removing it.

Because the ground cover helps prevent soil compaction and keeps the soil moist, it increases the fertility of soil which, in turn, promotes the growth of additional ground cover. These also provides a home for insects that are beneficial to the soil.

Ground covers are perennial plants used as grass substitutes in regions where grasses do poorly, or they are sometimes combined with grassy areas to produce a desired design.

These are some common ground covers: Periwinkle, bugle weed, honeysuckle.