Ground covers enhance landscaping by preventing erosion, suppressing weeds, conserving moisture, regulating temperature, fostering biodiversity, and providing a visually appealing, low-maintenance green carpet.
These low-growing, spreading plants serve as the green carpet that ties the entire landscape together, offering a multitude of benefits beyond mere aesthetics. In this blog, we delve into the reasons why incorporating ground covers into your North Carolina landscape is a smart choice and explore some of the best options suited for the Tar Heel State's unique climate and soil conditions.
Our design team shared their favorite ground covers that they use when designing masterful landscapes.
Pachysandra is a tough plant. This is an evergreen perennial whose foliage does not die back in winter; it merely yellows a bit. This evergreen groundcover produces white flowers in the spring, but it is grown primarily for its leathery, dark-green leaves. The popularity of Japanese pachysandra can be attributed to the fact that it may solve several prominent landscaping problems at once. It is resistant to pests and deer browsing and tolerates drought, shade, and heavy clay soils.
Mazus is a fast-spreading, semi-evergreen perennial that works well as a ground cover. In warmer climates, the dense, lush foliage remains green throughout the year, and it features clusters of beautiful little purple-blue flowers that blossom in late spring and summer. The tiny thumbnail-sized flowers form a dense mat and can be mowed much like turf grass. It does well in full to partial sun and needs moist but well-drained areas.
Mondo Grass is valued as a low-maintenance alternative to grass in spots with full shade or partial shade. Despite its common name, this ground cover is not a true grass; it is a member of the Liliaceae family and is often compared with creeping lilyturf. The two plants are similar in appearance, have similar functions in the landscape, and are both very popular in the southeast.
Vinca Minor is a very popular ground cover because it's drought-tolerant, pest-free, inexpensive, and easy to grow in just about any type of soil. This perennial creeper is a great ground cover that will quickly carpet your landscape with pretty and tiny flowers. It's also used for ground cover to stop erosion because its tough roots hold soil in place.
Ajuga is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial ground cover that does a good job of choking out weeds. It produces shiny, dark green leaves and beautiful flower spikes, producing blue, violet, or purple flowers in mid- to late spring that can reach eight to ten inches tall. Several cultivars offer variegated foliage colors and patterns. Ajuga does well in full sun to part shade locations. Foliage color is most vibrant when the plant receives at least three to four hours of sunlight daily. It prefers moist soil.
There are many more ground covers to explore, including junipers, grasses, ferns, and low-growing perennials to suit your landscaping needs. Our design team can help you pick the ones that are right for your home.
Choosing the Right Ground Covers for Central North Carolina Landscapes
Ground covers are one of the most practical and visually effective tools in landscape design throughout Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the greater Triangle. In a region known for clay soils, seasonal rainfall, and humid summers, the right ground cover can prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and stabilize soil while creating a cohesive, low-maintenance green carpet.
Whether you are managing shaded areas beneath mature trees or stabilizing slopes prone to runoff, ground covers provide both functional and aesthetic value. Many varieties thrive in North Carolina’s conditions - from shade-tolerant evergreen options to flowering spreads that bring seasonal color.
Thoughtful selection based on sun exposure, drainage patterns, and soil composition ensures long-term performance and reduced maintenance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why use ground covers instead of turf?
Ground covers require less mowing, reduce erosion, suppress weeds, and perform better in shaded or difficult areas where turf struggles.
Which ground covers grow well in shade?
Mondo grass and pachysandra perform well in partial to full shade conditions common in mature Triangle landscapes.
Are ground covers drought-tolerant?
Many options, such as vinca minor, are drought-tolerant once established and adapt well to varying soil conditions.
Do ground covers help with erosion control?
Yes. Their spreading root systems stabilize soil and reduce runoff, particularly on slopes or drainage-prone areas.
Can ground covers flower?
Varieties like ajuga and mazus produce seasonal blooms while still functioning as dense, weed-suppressing mats.
How do I choose the right ground cover?
Consider sunlight exposure, soil type, moisture levels, and desired maintenance levels to select the best-performing option for your property.