Due to their low profile and ability to cover a garden space quickly, groundcovers can provide an attractive and more sustainable alternative to high-maintenance lawns. These low-maintenance plantings effectively crowd out weeds, help prevent soil erosion and drying, and have attractive foliage, texture and color.
Our groundcover collection includes a wide range of plants that make ideal groundcovers for shady or sunny areas.
Learn more (two-minute audio)Shade-loving groundcovers, such as hostas and hellebores are protected by trees including Cornelian cherry, Japanese Zelkova, and a grove of false cypress. Explore these in the shady areas surrounding the Lewis Building.
Sonja Skelly, director of education and communications, shares her love of the Groundcover Collection, and introduces some of her favorite plants within it.
The cornelian cherry tree is a main attraction in our Groundcover Collection and is one of the first plants to bloom in early spring.
Where we recommend visiting for gardening inspiration.