Xeriscaping: Ground Cover Plants

Quick Facts...

• Ground covers are good alternatives where turfgrasses are impractical.
• Suitable places for drought-tolerant ground covers include narrow strips between sidewalks or structures and steep slopes where mowing and irrigation are not practical.
• Consider ground covers other than grasses on hot, dry exposures, as well as for dense shade beneath trees and shrubs.
• Improve soils before planting most ground covers.

Ground cover plants are good alternatives to turfgrasses in some locations. They provide a variety of textures and colors, help reduce soil erosion, and can serve as a transition between turf areas and shrub or flower borders. Consider ground cover plants for areas where irrigation and mowing are difficult and require extra maintenance. Ground cover plants may be useful in areas such as:

• non-irrigated narrow strips between sidewalks and curbs or buildings;
• steep slopes that are impractical to mow;
• hot, dry areas along south and west exposures of walls or fences; and
• deeply shaded areas beneath trees or shrubs, along north sides of walls and fences, and in foundation plantings in front of low windows.

Ground covers also can enhance the beauty of shrub borders and can break up the monotony of areas previously covered with decorative gravel.

Soils and Exposure

The key to successful ground cover establishment is good soil conditions. Most ground covers spread by offshoots or runners and are more apt to fill in quickly where the soil has good aeration, drainage and organic matter content. Our typical heavy clay soils are not ideal, even for plants that can survive in poor soils, such as many Colorado native plants.

Pay attention to exposure. Most xeric ground covers do best in full sun, but a few thrive in partial shade. Tables 1 and 2 indicate those for sun and shade, respectively, along with some comments on their qualities as a ground cover.

Weed Control

Prior to planting ground covers, make sure that existing weeds are controlled. Perennial weeds can be especially troublesome later on if not eliminated prior to planting. Glyphosate(Roundup^® or Kleenup^®) controls most weeds if applied directly to actively growing weedy vegetation a few weeks prior to planting. This chemical does not leave a harmful residue in the soil, allowing planting in treated areas two weeks after spraying.

Weeds also can be discouraged by using weed barrier fabrics available in many garden centers. Anchor fabric edges with U-shaped wire pins about 6 inches long. Plant through slits cut into the barrier. Put a decorative mulch on top of the fabric. Avoid using plastic film for a weed barrier. Plastic films prevent weeds, but they also tend to suffocate plant roots and prevent water infiltration.

Other Xeriscaping Fact Sheets

For more information on xeriscaping and plant selection, see these Colorado State University Extension fact sheets:

• 7.228, Xeriscaping: Creative Landscaping.
• 7.229, Xeriscaping: Trees and Shrubs.
• 7.231, Xeriscaping: Garden Flowers.
• 7.234, Xeriscaping: Retrofit Your Yard.

¹J.E. Klett, Colorado State University Extension landscape horticulturist and professor, department of horticulture and landscape architecture. Revised from original fact sheet authored by J.R. Feucht, retired. 3/96. Revised 1/07.

Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Colorado counties cooperating. CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.

Go to top of this page.