If there are trees that provide shade, this helps open up a whole new world of the succulent landscape possibilities, but for this article's sake we’ll focus on conventional succulent ground covers that will work well with little-to-no access to shade and either and temperate and frost hardy plants. Ground covers serve a multitude of purposes. Some species of rock cotoneaster are evergreen shrubs with spreading woody branches. Small red berries contrast with the shiny green leaves for year-long interest. It can be a very good ground cover for a gardener able and willing to keep it under control, but it has escaped cultivation and naturalized in many areas of the northern U.S, thanks to its ability to adapt to almost any soil condition. Creeping juniper is a type of conifer that’s ideal for full sun. Spotted deadnettle is an evergreen ground cover in mild climates. Fast-spreading evergreen plants for ground cover are perfect for covering large areas of land. Ideal for ground cover in zones 6 -11. Plant creeping juniper for ground cover on slopes to prevent soil erosion or have a carpet of soft evergreen foliage in low-maintenance gardens. Flowering evergreen plants for ground cover help to create colorful floral carpets in sunny or shaded gardens. The stems spread along the ground, forming a luscious mat. Epimedium x rubrum produces flowers with three colors. It is an especially severe problem in the Northwest U.S. Liriope spicata is another potentially invasive ground cover for shade. But don't be deceived by its good looks. The low-growing creeping juniper with its ornamental foliage makes it one of the best ground cover plants in the garden. This Sedum species has brightly-colored foliage of needle like-leaves. ... With glistening succulent leaves that look like they are covered in frozen icy bumps, its highly ornamental prostrate growth habit is great in a pot or as a drought-hardy ground cover. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Plants that perform well as ground covers in shady areas earn this reputation because they are extremely tenacious and able to thrive without much sunlight. This plant is considered slightly invasive in portions of the Northeast and Northwest U.S., but most gardeners will have no major problems with it. Very drought tolerant. Generally, in well-drained soil, a succulent … If you have a location with dense, full shade that gets no direct sunlight at all, make sure to choose plants rated for such locations—there aren't many of them, but several are described here. Another benefit of evergreen ground cover plants is that they require little care to thrive—in full sun or shade. Angelina stonecrop is an easy to care for ground cover succulent with bright color foliage. Take care when planting Creeping Jenny in your garden as it can be invasive. Ground covers are invaluable for smothering weeds and conserving soil moisture. Succulents that make good ground covers include low-growing varieties of Senecio serpens, which has stunning blue leaves, kalanchoe, Sempervivum, sedum and Echeveria. The low-care short herb is drought-tolerant, grows up to 3” (8 cm), and has a spread of 12” (30 cm). Agave Celsii (Agave Mitis) Hens and chicks need full sun to thrive but very little water. Rock cotoneaster is a decorative ground cover to any landscaped garden. I've grown it since the '90s under oaks on a steep slope. USDA ground cover plants in zone 6 are also often exposed to long, hot summer temperatures and must, therefore, be very adaptable to a wide range of we… However, pachysandra is an aggressive plant that is considered invasive in many areas of the northeastern U.S., from the Atlantic coast to Wisconsin. Evergreen ground cover plants are low-growing, ground-hugging plants that keep your garden looking vibrant, healthy, and beautiful. The Siberian cypress is a full sun ground cover but it can also tolerate shady areas in your garden. 30 Easy-to-Grow Perennials for Beginning Gardeners, 29 Shrubs That Grow in Full or Partial Shade, 12 Best Ornamental Grasses for Your Landscape, Best Perennials That Offer Long Bloom Periods, 18 Yellow-Flowering Plants for Your Garden, 10 Best Ornamental Grasses for Containers, 15 Recommended Flowering Shrubs for Your Home. The lush foliage is glossy green aromatic leaves. https://succulentplantcare.com/top-19-best-succulent-ground-covers Rhoeo tradescantia 'major' are looking amazing! They grow best in warm conditions and full sun. It grows to 9 to 18 inches and quickly spreads by forming grass-like clumps. pictum) stays shorter (12 to 18 inches) and gives you more interesting colors throughout the growing season. Plant alongside flowering ground cover plants to create striking color contrasts in a sunny garden. 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