Ground covers are an effective lawn substitute in areas too shady to support the growth of grasses. Wide-spreading ground covers engulf large areas with a carpet of foliage, and in some cases flowers. Many ground covers are drought resistant, and once established may reduce the need for irrigation. They eliminate costly and time-consuming maintenance such as mowing, edging and trimming. Finally, ground covers add texture and help to unify a landscape.
Proper planting is important for ground covers to grow and spread rapidly.
To establish ground covers work the soil 8 - 10 inches deep. In heavy clay soils two inches of coarse sand may also need to be incorporated to improve drainage. Once plants are installed, apply a light mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weed competition. Liriope is probably our most popular grass replacer. Mondo Grass is another popular grass replacer.