Coniferous plants with fleshy, berrylike cones. Foliage is needlelike, scalelike, or both. Junipers are the most widely used woody plants in West; there's a form for almost every landscape use. Western nurseries offer more than a hundred junipers with as many names. Junipers that do not tolerate extreme desert heat or mountain cold are not sold in these critical areas.

The ground cover group includes types ranging from a few inches to 2-3 ft. If you are planning large-scale plantings, some of the taller junipers (such as Pfitzer) could be included in this group. Prostrate and creeping junipers are almost indispensable to rock gardens. As ground cover, space plants 5-6 ft. apart; for faster coverage, space plants 3-4 ft. apart and remove every other one when plants begin to crowd. In early years, mulch will help keep soil cool and weeds down. Or interplant with annuals until junipers cover.

'Bar Harbour' (Juniperus horizontalis) 1'x10'/ Sun/ Evergreen/ Gray green foliage/ Groundcover.

'Blue Carpet' (Juniperus horizontalis) 6"x 8"/ sun/ Evergreen / Fast growing/ Silver blue foliage / Ground cover

'Blue Pacific' (Juniperus conferta) 1'x 6' / sun/ Evergreen/ Moderate grower/ Dense blue green foliage/ Groundcover.

'Procumbens Nana' (Juniperus chinensis) 1'x 5' / Sun / Evergreen/ slow grower / Blue green foliage/ Groundcover.

'Prostrata' (Juniperus Chinensis) 18"x 6'/ Sun/ Evergreen / Slow grower / Green foliage/ Good coastal plant/ Ground cover.

'San Jose' (Juniperus chinensis) 2'x 6' / sun/ Evergreen / Slow grower / Sage Green foliage/ Spreading groundcover.

'Wiltoni' (Juniperus horizontalis) 6"x 8' Sun / Evergreen / Fast Growing / Silver blue foliage / Groundcover.

Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) (back)

Soft, thick, white-woolly, rather tongue-shaped leaves grow densely on spreading, 1-1 1/2ft. stems. Flowers form in June- July, but plant is most useful for foliage effect. Rain smashes it down, makes it mushy. Frost damages leaves. Cut back in spring.

Use for contrast with dark green and different-shaped leaves such as those of strawberry or some sedums. Good edging plant for paths, flower bed borders; highly effective edging for bearded iris. Excellent ground cover under high-branching oaks.

Partial shade/ Drought tolerant/ Good contrast plant/ DO NOT over water / Groundcover/ Subject to pill bugs.

Dead nettle (Lamium maculatum) (back)

Running or trailing perennial used as a ground cover or in a hanging basket. To 6 in. tall, it spreads 2-3 ft. Its grayish green leaves have silvery marking. Flowers are pink. It is vigorous, even weedy. They need some grooming to remove old, shabby growth. Evergreen in mild climates but winter deciduous elsewhere.

Shade-partial / Moist, well-drained soil.

Lantana (Lantan montevidensis) (back)

Annuals in cold-winter climates; in zones 8-10 and 14 they often persist but may need replacement after hard winter. Fast growing, valued for profuse show of color over long season— every month of the year in frost-free areas.

Sun/ Semi-evergreen / Well-drained soil / Dark green, coarsely tooth-edged leaves/ Leaves tinge reddish in cold / Rosy lilac flower clusters/ Drought tolerant / Too much water causes non-flowering / Other varieties can also be used as groundcover / Prune to ground in spring- return from root.

Lily Turf (Liriope muscari) (back)

Liope and Ophiopogon are similar in appearance; both form clumps or tufts of grasslike leaves and bear white or lavender flowers in spikelike or branched clusters (quite showy in some kinds.) Last well in flower arrangements. Use as casual ground cover in small areas. Also attractive as borders along paths, between flower bed and lawn, among rock groupings, or in rock gardens. Grow well along streams and around garden pools Try under bamboo or to cover bare soil at bases of trees or shrubs in large container. None satisfactory as mowed lawn . tolerate indoor conditions in pots or planter.

Plant in well-drained soil. Become ragged and brown with neglect. Cut back shaggy old foliage after new leaves appear. Plants don't need heavy feeding. Protect from snails and slugs. Increase plants by dividing in early spring before new growth starts.

Plants look best from spring until cold weather of winter. Extended frosts may cause plants to turn yellow; they take quite a while to recover. Can show tip burn on leaves if soil contains excess salts or if plants are kept too wet where drainage is poor.

2' / Sun-shade / Evergreen / Clumping / Dark green leaves / Variegated available / resemble grape hyacinth / Shiny black fruit follows flowering / Many varieties available, including 'Giant Liriope'.

Mint (Mentha) (back)

Spread rapidly by underground stems. can be quite invasive. Grow almost anywhere but perform best in light, medium rich, moist soil. Contain in pot or box to keep in bounds. Propagate from runners. Keep flowers cut off. Replant every 3 years.

Many varieties available/ Edible / Fragrant groundcover.

Moneywort (see 'Creeping Jenny') (back)