| Name |
Height |
Qualities |
Maintenance |
Carpet Bugle,
Bugleweed
(Ajuga reptans)
|
10" (in bloom)
2 to 4" at other times |
Spreads quickly in sun or shade. Spikes of blue flowers in late spring. You can walk on it - our dog, Shamus, loves to sleep on a bed of ajuga.
|
Shear off spent flowers in early simmer (use mower at highest setting).
|
Cotoneaster
(C. horizontalis,
C. dammeri
|
12 to 18"
|
Full sun or partial shade. Forms a glossy green carpet; its wwhite spring flowers turn into red barries that last through winter. This fast-growing plant is very good on banks and slopes. |
Prune annually if necessary.
|
Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum)
|
12 to 15"
|
With fragrant leaves and pink flowers from spring to early summer, this is a pretty favourite for sunny and partly shady locations. |
Deadhead to pro;ong flowering.
|
| Day lily (Hemerocallis) |
18 to 36"
|
Different varieties can ensure blooms through most of the season. Does well in any soil. |
Remove spent flowers. Divide every 3 to 5 years. |
English ivy
(Hedera helix) |
6 to 8"
|
Dark lustrous foliage. Forms a dense cover in shade or part sun. (May need protection from winter sun) |
None.
|
Fleeceflower (Polygonum affine)
|
5 to 12"
|
Another easy-care plant that does well in almost any type of soil. In summer it sports pink or red flower-spikes resembling bottle brushes. |
None.
|
Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
|
8"
|
Excellent evergreen cover for shade or partial shade. Spreads by underground stems; forms a tight mat. Creamy white flowers inspring. Slow to establish, but worth the wait. |
None. During first few years, prune after flowering to increase spread.
|
| Junipers (Juniperus horizontalis) |
12"
|
Light-green to steel-blue colour. Adaptable to most soil types. Full sun. |
None.
|
Mother of thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
|
10" when blooming
|
Small aromatic leaves and very prostrate habit make it excellent for use around walks and on hot sandy slopes. Tiny, rosy/lilac flowers in summer. Full sun. |
None.
|
Periwinkle
(Vinca major;
V. minor)
|
18" for mojor, 8" for minor
|
Trailing evergreens with pruple, blue or white flowers and dark-green foliage. Prefers shade, but tolerates some sun (and flowers better). Well-drained soil. |
None.
|
Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum)
|
6 to 8"
|
Does very well in shade. Prefers moist conditions, with white or pink flowers in spring. Two varieties - Beacon Silver and White Nancy - have silvery foliage. |
None.
|
Goldmoss stonecrop (Sedum acre)
|
2 to 3"
|
Spreads by creeping, forms mat of leaves with tiny yellow flowers from spring to mid-summer. Good for dry soil and rocky areas. |
None.
|
| Dragon's blood stonecrop (Sedum spurium) |
6"
|
Thick mat of rounded, red-tinted foliage with showy red clusters in summer. Dry soil and rocky areas. |
None.
|
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum)
|
6 to 8"
|
Lance-shaped leaves with white, star-shaped, scented flowers in late spring. Prefers shade and moist conditions - add humus to soil if necessary. |
Clean up old foliage in spring.
|
| Winter creeper (Euonymus fortunei) |
12 to 24"
|
Evergree trailing vine up to 36" long. Uniform leaves and rapid growth. |
Trim back with pruners to maintain desired height. |
European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum)
|
To 7"
|
Shade, humus soil, pleany of moisture, will ensure rapid growth. A woodland plant with very attractive shiney leaves. |
|
| Green and Gold, Goldenstar (Chrysogonum virginianum) |
4 to 8"
|
Grows well in partial shade with rich soil and good drainage. Plants flower for a long time in spring and summer (yellow star shaped) especially when cool. |
|
Heartleaf Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia)
|
To 16"
|
Grown for ornamental foliage and early blooming. Grows in any soil, prefers humus rich soil. Like part shade or sun if moisture is provided, and will tolerate dry shade. Leaves are 12 to 18" long and leathery. |
|
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
|
To 12"
|
Evergreen foliage turns bronze in winter. Small leathery leaves and pink flowers followed by long lasting red fruit. Prefers acidic, well drained soil in sun or part shade. |
|
Lamb’s Ears
(Stachys byzantina)
|
|
Average, well drained soil in full sun. White, woolly, soft leaves. ‘Silver Carpet’ is nonflowering and makes a denser, more compact cover. Good edging plant. Cut bacl leaves in early spring for best appearance. |
|
Foamflower
(Tiarella cordifolia)
|
6 to 8"
|
Likes woodland conditions with moist, humus rich but well drained soil in light shade. Beautiful foliage with small white, finger shaped flowers in spring. |
|
Bunchberry, Dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
|
To 6"
|
Pointed leaves with miniature dogwood flowers in spring followed by shiny red berries. Woodland plant, requires moist, humus rich, neutral or acidic soil. Slow to spread, best for small areas. |
|
