Evergreen groundcovers aren't the stars of the garden, but they help keep the green going into the winter months.
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| Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) in February |
English Ivy (Hedera helix), Periwinkle (Vinca minor) and Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) are the old standards. They have their place, but there are many other options.
I'll highlight just a few.
Candytuft is looking a bit bedraggled in February, but signs of new spring growth are evident.
Junipers may be overused, but here are a few that I like:
Japanese Garden Juniper (Juniperus procumbens 'Nana') is low and wide spreading with a nice texture.
Blue Star Juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star') is more rounded, with blue-green foliage which can be used for contrast.
I spotted this feathery-looking shrub this fall (also shown in the first photo), that
I wasn't familiar with.
Update: I've learned that it's Russian Arborvitae (Microbiota decussata).
Originating in Siberia, it's a sturdy plant with
green summer foliage and bronze-purple winter foliage, and with
a potential spread of 6-10 feet.
Sweet Box (Sarcococca hookerana var. humilis) is a shrub for shady locations. Its tiny white late winter flowers are fragrant.
Evergreen hardy perennials don't generally cover as large an area, but have the added bonus of flowers.
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) was still looking lush at the end of November in southcentral PA. I love the dainty white flowers that cover the plant in the spring.
Candytuft is looking a bit bedraggled in February, but signs of new spring growth are evident.
Lirope (Liriope muscari 'Variegata') bravely pokes it's head out from the snow in January.
Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis) is beloved for its late winter flowers, but its foliage, effective for much of the year, is worthwhile also. This photo was take in early January, before the snows came.
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) is still
performing in mid January.
Serbian Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) is a personal favorite. It's pictured above at the end of November.
By mid-February it's rather sparse.
But the wonderful cascade of blue spring flowers (shown below) are exceptional, if rather fleeting.
