Ground covers are good alternatives where turfgrasses are impractical.
Suitable places for ground covers include narrow strips between sidewalks or structures and steep slopes where mowing is not practical. Consider ground covers other than grasses on hot, dry exposures, as well as for dense shade beneath trees and shrubs. Improve soils before planting ground covers. Ground cover plants are good alternatives to turfgrasses in some locations. They provide a variety of textures and color, help reduce soil erosion, and can serve as a transition between turf areas and shrub or flower borders.