Ground covers can be annuals, perennials, succulents, low-growing shrubs or vines. Their common characteristic is, as the name implies, the ability to cover a lot of ground. They spread and multiply readily by self-sowing, sending out new roots where stems touch the soil, or by growing long, trailing stems.

BENEFITS
Ground-hugging plants offer many practical benefits, including the following:

•They reduce dust, prevent erosion, inhibit weeds, moderate soil temperature, and conserve soil moisture for surrounding plants.

•Since temperatures above ground covers
are lower than temperatures above bare earth, granite mulch or hardscape, the plants make outdoor living areas more pleasant.

•Covering otherwise bare surfaces around your house with ground covers reduces re-
flected glare and heat, which in turn reduces the amount of energy required to cool your home.
 
•Ground covers planted in front of painted walls keep the areas looking fresh and clean, as rainfall doesn’t hit bare ground and splash dirt onto the walls.

•Their foliage and flowers help “soften” the appearance of sidewalks and patios.

PLANTING TIPS
If you are installing a landscape from scratch, ground covers offer an inexpensive route to obtain a considerable quantity of plant material. Some ground covers germinate readily from seed. Others can be purchased as seedlings in flats. When selecting ground covers, match their sun exposure requirements and projected spread with your landscape.

Caution: When planting ground covers, do not disturb the roots of nearby existing trees or shrubs. Instead, scatter seeds or transplant seedlings from flats or six-packs, as deep holes do not need to be dug to accommodate their small root systems.

Keep planted areas moist until ground covers establish, since young shallow roots quickly dry out and die. Patrol for weeds diligently, and spread organic mulch to help retain soil moisture. As ground covers mature and lose foliage and flowers, allow the droppings to remain as mulch to decompose and improve soil texture and fertility.

PLANT PICKS
Our desert plant palette offers attractive ground-cover options that blend with other landscape elements. Look for plants with “trailing” in their common names, which generally signals that they will make good ground covers. Consider these options for your garden:

Angelita daisy and desert marigold—These small, clumping native wildflowers send out blooms almost year-round. Plant in close masses to maximize coverage.

Arizona grape ivy—Try this vine to cover dry, shady spots; it will drop its leaves in cold weather, however.

Bush morning glory—Its silvery-hued foliage blends artfully with other plantings.

Herbs—Consider catmint, creeping germander, mint, thyme and trailing rosemary, which offer appealing fragrance and attract pollinators.

Ice plant—Its neon-bright flowers add blasts of color to the landscape. Choose varieties that bloom at different times.

Lantana—This low-water-use favorite attracts butterflies, which flock to its flowers. Colors range from purple to orange and yellow to white.

Penstemon—A self-sowing native wildflower, this plant is easily grown from seed. It produces a rosette-shaped mound of evergreen foliage.

Trailing desert broom (Baccharis hybrid)—Works well in hot, cold and arid conditions. It is drought-tolerant and hardy to 5 degrees.

Tufted evening primrose—Lightly fragrant white flowers that open at dusk make this ground cover ideal for moonlit gardens.

Yellow dot—This is an excellent choice for areas with varying sun exposures that range from full sun to full shade. (If watered regularly, it can be invasive.)