Ajuga is wonderful. It gets purple flowers in the spring, spreads, but is not invasive. It makes new plants above the ground that then root, instead of the roots going crazy underground where you can't get at them easily. So it you happen to have too much, it rips up easily. In Toronto you shouldn't won't have a problem with it growing out of control. I am in upstate New York. It also grows equally well in both sun and shade.
First: Do not plant ground ivy, Creeping Charlie, or Goutweed, whatever you call it in your region. It is extremely invasive and will bury any desirable plants and take over your lawn. That said, vinca (creeping myrtle) is good, although it, too, can invade where it's not wanted. It is easier to remove than ground ivy. Allysum is an annual. Plumbago, speedwell, dead nettle (lamium) or various sedums are all good, solid spreading perennial groundcovers that can be controlled as needed. I have uploaded a photo of plumbago with a young rose of sharon in the background. The plumbago had just started to open, it soon was covered with electric blue blossoms.
Creeping phlox works well in zone 3, and it comes in a range of colors from pinks, purples, lavendars, to white. Creeping Charlie (ground ivy, gill-on-the-ground), is another option, although some people consider it invasive. It's a member of the mint family, with square stems, and dark green oval leaves and dark purple flowers. When crushed, it has a medicinal smell. Some people like it, some don't. We had it growing all over our back yard in one place we lived and thought it was great! It looked beautiful.
I threw some vinca seeds down about nine years ago, thinking that nothing would become of them and to my surprise it grew and grew and I still have the ground cover. I live in zone 5 and its stays green in the winter/snow and its blooms all during the spring and summer. The little periwinkle flowers are so cute!!
Try creeping dead nettle. Can't remember the botanical name. It is beautiful! Looks like it is glowing in shady areas, gets gorgeous purplish blue flowers in late spring early summer. I have grown this in full shade to mostly sunny areas and it does well. It spreads but is not invasive. If you want it gone, just pull it and it will stay gone. you won't want to pull it tho. It has green leaves with whitish areas almost like snow on the mountain only the leaves are "fuzzy". Hope this works.
I love Alysum, which comes in white and purples/pinks. It's low, smells like musk, and is pretty hardy, but I would check the hardiness zone. I am very creative, but I can't grow anything but mold! Check out my "horticulturally challenged" advise before you plant!
I personally love Creeping Myrtle. It does well in direct sun as long as the soil is healthy and kept moist and it even remains green in cold, snowy Michigan Winters :-)
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Request: Ground Cover Advice (04/14/2009)
I am looking for a well behaved ground cover that isn't invasive - got any suggestions? Winters can get to below freezing and summers up to 105F.
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Request: Ground Cover Advice
Archived on 04/14/2009
I am looking for a well behaved ground cover that isn't invasive - got any suggestions? Winters can get to below freezing and summers up to 105F.
Hardiness Zone: 8a
Holly from Richardson, TX
Feedback:
RE: Ground Cover Advice
Try sedum. It'll grow just about anywhere, but does not take over like other things. There are a few different varieties/colors. I personally like the dragon's blood sedum, or other red flowering ones. We have clay soil with full sun, with weather from well below freezing to the 90's, and it does just great. (06/07/2007)
By Amy
RE: Ground Cover Advice
I have creeping phlox that returns each year. Oregano is evergreen, grows slowly for me, requires no care. Ajuga is a good plant for shade, is evergreen, and blooms with little care. I also have a low growing juniper I've enjoyed that covers nicely and is VERY slow growing, likes sun, needs little to no care. Good luck. God bless you. : ) (07/07/2007)
