Plant Finder
Ground Covers
Ground covers, simply stated, serve to cover wide, low areas of your landscape. Sometimes serving as a substitute for grass, nearly all ground covers spread much wider than their height, creating a wide carpet of color. Ground covers definitely liven up bare areas between trees or shrubs.
Types of Ground Covers
Yellow Dot Wedelia
Wedelia trilobata
Wedelia grows rapidly in well drained soil and re-roots from stems laying on the ground
Angelita Daisy
Hymenoxis acaulis
Angelita daisies are low growing, pretty little accents with bright yellow daisy flowers in cycles throughout the warmer months.
Asparagus Fern
Asparagus sprengeri
This vigorous valley favorite grows well in sun or shade and tolerates different soil and water conditions.
Boxwood Beauty
Carrissa macrocarpa 'Boxwood Beauty'
This low growing, very dense shrub displays shiny, dark green leaves and fragrant, white, star-shaped flowers from spring through the fall.
Little John Bottlebrush
Callistemon citrinus 'Little John'
The Callistemon citrinus, commonly known as ‘Little John’, is one of the most seen and identifiable shrubs in the Valley.
Elephant's Food
Portulacaria afra
Elephant food looks like Jade Plant with smaller more compact leaves.
Green Carpet
Carissa macrocarpa 'Green Carpet'
The dark green leaves of the Carissa macrocarpa make this an excellent ground cover for green yards and a beautiful contrast in desert landscapes.
Hearts and Flowers
Aptenia cordifolia
This succulent plant makes for great ground cover in many different landscapes. Commonly referred to as ‘Hearts and Flowers’ and Aptenia ‘Red Apple’ because of its apple red flowers and bright green leaves, the Aptenia cordifolia only grows to about 4” tall but makes a for a great splash of tropical color in your yard.
Silver Bush Morning Glory
Convolvulus cneorum
Morning Glory produces soft, silver foliage on a low mounding shrub that looks beautiful on mounds, in rocky landscapes and near cactus as a contrast.
Damianita Daisy
Chysactiana mexicana
Bright daisy-like flowers adorn this small, compact shrub in spring and fall.
Trailing Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus'
Rosemary is a very hardy herbaceous shrub with many ornamental uses in all styles of landscaping.
Katie Ruellia
Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie'
Katie Ruellia grows very well in full to part sun and performs wonderfully in all landscapes.
Ice Plant
Delosperma nubigenum
Ice plant is a popular low growing shrub or ground cover that can be used in many different landscape settings.
Leatherleaf Fern
Rumohra adianitiformis
Leatherleaf Fern are delicate looking, yet durable evergreen plants with glossy dark green foliage that can carpet the landscape in deep green color!
Gold Mound Lantana
Lantana camara ‘Gold Mound’
Fast-growing, heavy bloomer ideal for use as a bedding plant, in a mixed border or as a vibrant groundcover. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
Bush Morning Glory
Ipomoea carnea
A low mounding shrub with year-round green foliage and periodic blooms from spring to fall. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
Myoporum
Myoporum parvifolium
They are showy evergreen shrubs. In the summer, tiny white flowers appear, which are followed by purple fruits, creating a show of color that makes them suitable for all landscape styles!
Purple Lantana
Lantana sellowiana
Covers the ground quickly with a mass of beautiful lavender flowers from spring through fall. Great along streets, driveways and on slopes and embankments.
Lantana Radiation
LANTANA camara 'Radiation'
Radiating with brilliant seasonal color. Bushy tropical evergreen shrub great as a low hedge or accent. Ideal for a border and rock gardens.
Lantana Irene
Lantana camara ‘Irene’
With minimal care, Lantana Irene can fill your landscape with vibrantly colored flower clusters that change colors as they age.
Lantana Confetti
Lantana camara 'Confetti'
A burst of colorful blossoms with a mix of yellow, pink, and purple. Attracts butterflies. Easy to grow and ideal borders and mass planting.
Purple Trailing Verbena
Verbena X hybrida
Planting Purple Trailing Verbena in your landscape is an excellent way to fill any barren area with bright color. Hardy plant that stays very low.
Pink Trailing Verbena
Verbena x hybrida
This Verbena stays very low and is perfect for filling any barren area in your landscape with a unique carpet of pink color!
Ruellia Pink ‘Chi Chi’
Ruellia brittoniana 'Chi Chi'
Can fill your landscape with a long blooming season of alluring soft pink petunia-like flowers. Great as a centerpiece in a mixed container or in a border.