Q: My husband and I  are in the process of building a new house and will have a large, steep bank dividing the yard from the road. What can you recommend for a fast, low-growing, attractive ground cover for this area.

A: Keep in mind that fast-growing plants could also be invasive. Consider your situation and the recommendations in the sidebar. Keep in mind that NO PLANT will thrive unless the soil is enriched around its roots (except maybe creeping liriope and English ivy). Make a “pocket” for each plant on the bank using three bricks laid end-to-end, parallel to the top of the bank. Add two shovelful’s of soil conditioner to the spot and mix it six inches deep before planting.

Groundcover Choices

For Sun

Spreading juniper – Juniperus chinensis, J. communis, J. conferta, J. horizontalis
Forsythia – Forsythia intermedia
Carolina jessamine – Gelsemium sempervirens
Winter jasmine – Jasminum nudiflorum
Creeping raspberry – Rubus pentalobus
Saint John’s-wort Hypericum calycinum

For Part Shade

Green ‘n Gold Chrysoganum virginianum
Groundcover Strawberry Fragaria cvs. ‘Lipstick’, ‘Pink Panda’
Mondo Grass Ophiopogon japonicus
Monkey Grass Liriope muscari

Invasive Unless Controlled

Spreading liriope Liriope spicata
English ivy Hedera helix
Periwinkle Vinca minor or Vinca major
Wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei

Groundcover Roses:

‘Carefree Delight’
‘Flower Carpet Appleblossom’
‘Flower Carpet Red’
‘Flower Carpet White’
‘Magic Carpet’
‘Fire Meidiland’
‘Magic Meidiland’
‘White Meidiland’

Groundcovers for Georgia

hellebore flower