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Groundcover

Groundcover Plants

Fill open garden areas, soften borders and create attractive transitions with quality groundcover plants from Fanelli Landscape Supply. Explore flowering, evergreen, sun- and shade-tolerant choices for landscapes throughout Staten Island, New York and nearby New Jersey.

Choose the Right Groundcover

Learn how sunlight, soil, moisture and available space should guide your plant selection.

Read Plant Selection Guide

Planting Guide

Follow proper planting practices to encourage healthy roots and successful establishment.

Download Free Planting Guide

Mulching Garden Beds

Learn how to use mulch while allowing groundcover plants room to spread and establish.

View Mulching Guide

Groundcovers are low-growing plants used to fill spaces between larger landscape plants, soften bed edges, cover slopes and add foliage or flowers where traditional lawn may be difficult to maintain.

Growth rate, spreading habit and site requirements vary considerably. Some plants form slow, contained clumps while others spread steadily through stems, roots or runners. Always choose a plant whose mature habit is appropriate for the available space.

Find Groundcovers for Your Landscape

Select a category to explore groundcovers generally suited to our region. Availability and individual cultivar requirements change throughout the season.

Groundcovers for Sunny Areas

These plants generally perform best with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.

  • Bearberry
  • Blue Rug Juniper
  • Creeping Phlox
  • Creeping Sedum
  • Creeping Thyme
  • Hardy Geranium
  • Hens and Chicks
  • Ice Plant
  • Lamb’s Ear
  • Leadwort
  • Snow-in-Summer

Drought tolerance generally develops after establishment. Newly planted groundcovers still require consistent monitoring and watering.

Groundcovers for Shady Areas

Bring foliage, flowers and texture to areas receiving morning sun, filtered light or limited direct sunlight.

  • Ajuga
  • Allegheny Spurge
  • Epimedium
  • European Ginger
  • Ferns
  • Foamflower
  • Hosta
  • Lamium
  • Liriope
  • Pachysandra
  • Sweet Woodruff
  • Wild Ginger
  • Wintergreen
Shade Conditions Vary

Morning sun, filtered shade and deep shade are different growing conditions. Observe the amount of usable light and soil moisture before selecting a plant.

Flowering Groundcovers

Add seasonal flowers along bed edges, pathways, retaining walls and spaces between larger landscape plants.

  • Ajuga
  • Creeping Phlox
  • Creeping Sedum
  • Creeping Thyme
  • Epimedium
  • Foamflower
  • Hardy Geranium
  • Ice Plant
  • Lamium
  • Leadwort
  • Sweet Woodruff

Bloom time, flower color and coverage vary by species, cultivar and growing conditions.

Evergreen & Semi-Evergreen Groundcovers

These plants can retain useful foliage through much or all of the year, depending on the species, winter conditions and planting location.

  • Ajuga
  • Allegheny Spurge
  • Bearberry
  • Blue Rug Juniper
  • Creeping Phlox
  • Creeping Sedum
  • Epimedium
  • European Ginger
  • Liriope
  • Pachysandra
  • Wintergreen

Winter appearance can vary. Some evergreen or semi-evergreen plants may discolor, thin or lose foliage during severe weather.

Groundcovers for Beneath Trees

These plants can tolerate shade and may be suitable beneath established trees when soil moisture and root competition are considered.

  • Allegheny Spurge
  • Epimedium
  • European Ginger
  • Ferns
  • Foamflower
  • Lamium
  • Liriope
  • Pachysandra
  • Sweet Woodruff
  • Wild Ginger
Protect Existing Tree Roots

Avoid deep digging, raised soil levels or excessive mulch beneath established trees. Tree roots compete strongly for water, so new plants may need careful watering while becoming established.

Groundcovers for Slopes & Mass Plantings

Spreading groundcovers can help cover difficult-to-mow areas, soften slopes and create attractive mass plantings.

  • Ajuga
  • Bearberry
  • Blue Rug Juniper
  • Creeping Phlox
  • Creeping Sedum
  • Hardy Geranium
  • Lamium
  • Liriope
  • Pachysandra
  • Sweet Woodruff
Severe Erosion Requires Proper Evaluation

Plants can help stabilize surface soil after establishment, but they are not a substitute for correcting serious drainage, runoff or structural slope problems.

Deer-Resistant Groundcovers

These groundcovers are generally less attractive to deer because of their fragrance, flavor, texture or natural compounds. No plant is completely deer-proof.

  • Bearberry
  • Creeping Sedum
  • Creeping Thyme
  • Epimedium
  • European Ginger
  • Lamb’s Ear
  • Liriope
  • Pachysandra
  • Sweet Woodruff
Deer-Resistant Does Not Mean Deer-Proof

Deer preferences vary by neighborhood, season and population pressure. Newly installed plants may still require repellent, netting or temporary protection.

These lists are general planning guides. Growth habit, hardiness, moisture needs and resistance can vary by species and cultivar. Confirm the specific plant’s requirements before planting.

Plan for the Plant’s Spreading Habit

Groundcovers are selected because they spread, but growth rates differ significantly. Some remain in controlled clumps while others can move beyond their intended planting area.

Consider nearby lawns, walkways, planting beds and natural areas before mass planting. Confirm whether the specific plant spreads through runners, underground stems, rooting branches or seed.

Popular Uses
  • Garden-bed edges and borders
  • Slopes and difficult-to-mow areas
  • Spaces beneath trees and larger shrubs
  • Rock gardens and retaining walls
  • Mass plantings and landscape transitions
  • Low-growing seasonal flowers and foliage
Looking for More Garden Plants?

Explore perennials, ornamental grasses and additional plants for sun, shade and pollinator gardens.

Explore Perennials

Need Help Choosing Groundcovers?

Tell us about the planting area, sunlight, soil moisture, available space and coverage you need. The Fanelli team can help you narrow down suitable choices and confirm current availability.

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