Acorus (Acorus gramineus) (back)

Native to Japan, northern Asia. Related to callas, but fans of grasslike leaves more nearly resemble miniature tufts of iris. Flowers are inconspicuous. 'Ogon' has rich golden yellow leaves. 'Pusillus' is tiny, its green leaves seldom more than 1 in. lon. It is used in planting miniature landscapes and dish gardens. 18"/Sun/Semite-evergreen/Clumping/ Good in moist areas/ Can be used as a container plant in ponds.

Ajuga (Ajuga reptans) (back)

The highly variable ajuga reptans is one of the best-known and most useful ground covers. Plant in spring or early fall 6 - 12 in. apart, 1 1/2 ft. for the big ones. 8"/Sun-partial/ Fast growing/Spreads by runners/ Many varieties available/Lustrous leaves/Showy blue flower spikes/ Needs good drainage and air circulation to prevent fungal attack/ Trim or mow off old flower spikes / Groundcover

Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria psittacina) (back)

Best in cool, moist, deep sandy to medium loam. Plant roots in fall; if you buy alstroemeria in a gallon can, you can plant it outdoors anytime in mild-winter climates.18"/Sun-Partial/Dormant in winter/Light green, whorled foliage/ Red & green flowers/ Slow to start- can become invasive/ Groundcover

Ardesua (Ardesia japonica) (back)

Of the 150 species of evergreen shrubs in this genus. only the following two are widely grown in the West.Valued for foliage, beadlike fruits. Ardisia Crenata. Usually grown indoors. Most familiar as 1 1/2 ft. single-stemmed potted plant. Ardesua japonica. Zones 5,6, 15-17 . Low shrub that spreads as ground cover by rhizomes to produce succession of upright branches 6-18 in. high. Makes quality ground cover in shade. Needs ample water. Leathery, bright green leaves (4 in. long) are clustered at tips of branches. Forms with white or gold leaf variegation are sometimes sold. White, 1/4-in. flowers, two to six in cluster, appear in fall, followed by small (1/4-in), round, bright red fruits that last into winter. Moist, well-drained soil/slow growing.

Asiatic jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) (back)

Used as ground covers. spillers, or climbers. They are among the most versatile and useful of shrubby plants. T asiaticum. Zones 6-24. Twines to 15 ft. or sprawls on the ground with branchlets rising erect. Leaves smaller, darker, duller green than those of t. jasminoides; flowers smaller, creamy yellow or yellowish white, fragrant, blooming April- june. Sun-partial / Evergreen / well-drained soil / Small, glossy dark green leaves / White flowers on older plantings. / Mow every two years to control/ Groundcover.

Asparagus Fern (Asparagus sprengeri) (back)

There are about 150 kinds of asparagus besides the edible one-- all members of the lily family. Asparagus sprengeri Arching or drooping stems 3-6 ft. long. Shiny, bright green needlelike leaves, 1 in. long, in bundles. Bright red berries. Popular for hanging baskets or containers, indoors and out. Train on trellis; climbs by means of small hooked prickles. Used as billowy ground cover where temperatures stay above 24º F. Takes full sun as well as partial shade; grows in ordinary or even poor soil. Will tolerate dryness of indoors but needs bright light. Forms a billowy groundcover.

Australian Violet (Viola Hederacea) (back)

Botanically speaking, violas, pansies and violets are all perennials belonging to genus Viola. However, pansies and violas are generally treated as annuals, especially in mild-winter areas. Violets need shade from hot afternoon sun; in desert and other hot-summer climate, plant in full shade. V. Hederacea. Zones 8, 9, 14--24. Tufted plant 1-4 in high, spreads by stolons at slow to moderate rate to several feet in time. Leaves kidney shaped. Flowers, 1/4 -3/4 in. across, nearly spurless, are white or blue fading to white at petal tips. Summer bloom; plant goes dormant at about 30º F. Use a ground cover in shade or in sun with abundant water.

Bamboo (back)

'Black' (Phyllostachys nigra). 15-20'/ sun-partial/ Evergreen / Spreads by runners / New stems green, turning shiny black in 2nd year.

'Dwarf' (Sasa pygmaea). 1' / sun/ Clumping/ Bright green canes covered with feathery leaves/ Rapid spreader / Groundcover.

'Golden' (Phyllostachys aurea). 10' / Sun/ Spreads by runners/ Dark green foliage / Golden yellow stems/ Good hedge or screen / Drought tolerant/ Thrives in moist area/ Good container plant.

'Mexican Weeping' (Otatea acuminata). 15-20' / Sun/ Evergreen/ Clumping /Arching stems topped by weeping branches / Drought tolerant / Thrives in moist areas.

'Muhly'(Muhlenbergia dumosa). 6'-8' /sun/Semi-evergreen / Clumping/ Woody stems that resemble bamboo/ Branching flower clusters on ends of stems / Drought tolerant.

'Yellow-groove' (Phyllostachys aureosulcata). 15-25' / Sun / Spreads by runners / More open and slender hthan 'Golden'/ Young stems green with a yellow groove / Thrives in moist area / Hardiest of bamboos.