Groundcovers and Grasses

Groundcovers and Grasses are indispensable in any landscape design, providing both functional and ornamental features. 

They offer dense, grassy surfaces that can be useful for covering areas where a foothold is required They act as ground cover to prevent erosion while adding interest and movement throughout your garden. 

We have different groundcovers and grasses in our collection for all garden styles.

Our collection of groundcover and grasses suits large areas, striking borders or interesting pathways and will assist you in creating a beautiful garden with little to no maintenance work.

Benefits of Groundcovers and Grasses in Landscapes and Gardens

These groundcovers and grasses provide several benefits, improving the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor settings and serving a purpose in many instances.

Erosion Control: Groundcovers and grasses prevent soil erosion. Their large root systems spread out and hold the soil in place, making them perfect for hillsides.

Low Maintenance: Ground covers and grasses are perfect for the busy gardener or someone looking to reduce garden maintenance.

Weed Suppression: Groundcovers form a thick mat of foliage that reduces weed growth by shading out the sun and decreasing the growing area.

A Lot of Visual Appeal: Groundcovers & grasses add visual interest throughout the seasons. 

Wildlife Habitat: Many groundcovers are considered insectary plants, providing host material or nectar for beneficial insects and birds.

Variety: From full-sun grasses to shade-loving groundcovers, there are choices for every garden situation and taste.

USDA Zones for Popular Groundcovers and Grasses

Choosing the right groundcovers and grasses for your climate can be one of the most essential things you’ll ever do for their success. Here are some popular options and their USDA zones:

• Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum): Zones 4–9

• Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca): Zones 4–8

• Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra): Zones 5–9

• Liriope (Liriope muscari): Zones 5–10

• Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus): Zones 6–11

Selecting species suited to your USDA zone guarantees they will thrive and bring long-lasting beauty to your landscape.

Planting and Care Guides

Proper planting and care are essential to establishing your groundcovers and grasses so they can grow healthy and robust.

Planting: Plant grasses and groundcovers with the soil at the same level as their respective containers. Keep them cool while planting and water well after planting.

Watering and Mulching: Keep new plantings well watered until they are established. Cover the ground with a layer of mulch to prevent moisture loss, inhibit weed growth, and insulate plant roots.

Fertilizing: Once established, most ground covers and grasses need no or very little fertilization. Light spring fertilizing may help with growth but is typically not necessary.

Pruning and Maintenance: Do good and ensure to regularly trim and prune groundcovers to maintain their shape and encourage new growth. For grasses, cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring to make way for new growth.

Landscaping Ideas

More than any other type of plant, groundcovers and grasses are uniquely creative plants for the garden. Here are a few ideas to get your thoughts flowing:

Pathway Edging: Groundcovers work great for edging pathways, as seen in the pre-planted Creeping Thyme and Blue Star Creeper. This softens the angular lines and brings a bit of green to your walkways.

Erosion Control on Slopes: Plant grasses such as Blue Fescue or groundcovers like Vinca on slopes to prevent erosion. Not to mention that their roots provide areat support for locthe localil and actually look charming.

Rock Gardens: Combine groundcovers and grasses in Rock Gardens. Texturally and color-wise, they harmonize beautifully with rocks and other garden necessities.

Borders and Edges: To create well-defined borders and edges in your garden, use specific ground covers, such as related grass you planted. Liriope and Mondo are simply the best choices for this purpose.

Mixed Plantings: Combine groundcovers and grasses with perennials and what do you get? Shrubs for a layered, dynamic garden! This approach adds depth and interest to your landscape.

Shade Gardens: Use shade-tolerant groundcovers like Japanese Forest Grass and Sweet Woodruff and you will be able to create lush, green areas under trees and in shaded garden spots.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainable care of groundcovers and grasses allows little harm to the environment, ensuring a healthy garden ecosystem.

Water Efficiency: Grasses and many types of groundcovers will do well on a once-a-week watering regimen. Water efficiently by using drip irrigation or soaker hoses.

Organic Mulching: Use organic mulch for wet soil to retain moisture, control weeds, and increase the fertility of the soil. In this way, it makes for a better garden ecology and, hence, a lesser need for synthetic fertilizers.

Soil Health: Compost and reduce tillage to keep the soil healthy. This improves soil fertility and structure, which will help ground cover or grass thrive.

Use integrated pest management, such as the introduction of beneficial insects and organic pesticides, to control pests. Then the problem of weeds and pests is largely eliminated or at least significantly reduced, allowing garden plants to defend themselves with minimal help from chemicals.

Common Pests and Diseases

Even the hardest groundcovers and grasses can sometimes fall victim to pests and diseases. That said, knowing what to look for and how to manage these issues can keep your plants healthy.

Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects that can weaken plants and spread disease. Control aphids naturally through spraying insecticidal soap or releasing ladybugs.

Slugs and snails: These can be major feeders of foliage. Put out slug and snail bait or traps to lessen the population of these pests.

Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is a powdery white coating on leaves. The solution is to increase the air flow and provide fungicidal applications if necessary.

Rust Fungi: Rust fungi generate orange or brown patches on the leaves. Clip off infected foliage, and try to water from beneath rather than overhead.

Nematodes: these are nematodes that are small worms attacking the roots and suppressing growth. Plant nematode-resistant crops and practice crop rotation to control them.

Where to Buy Groundcovers and Grasses

At PrivacyShrubs we provide an assortment of groundcovers and grasses to suit any garden space. 

We grow our plants with love so that they are happy and healthy, ready for your yard!

Whether you're looking to cover large areas, make spectacular boundaries, or simply add interest through pathways, you can always reach out to the team with any queries and get expert suggestions on what would be best for your garden. 

Contact us today for more information or to buy and begin transforming your yard with gorgeous, low-maintenance groundcovers & grasses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Fast Do Groundcovers And Grasses Really Grow?

The rate of growth is different from species to species. Certain ground covers and grasses take some time before they sprawl out sufficiently to cover large areas in one growing season, while others will appear more quickly.

Do Groundcovers And Grasses Need A Lot Of Sunlight?

Many groundcovers and grasses do best in full sun or partial shade. The good news is that there are other species, such as Japanese Forest Grass and Sweet Woodruff, that absolutely love the shade.

Will The Groundcovers or grains Be Able To Survive In Really Bad Soil?

Many groundcovers and grasses will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, including poor soil. 

On the other hand, enriching the soil with compost or organic matter may result in healthier plants and improved growth.

How Do I Control Weeds In My Groundcover And Grass Plantings?

Mulching and planting with proper spacing can deter weed growth. Regular weeding and maintenance are also necessary to ensure your plantings stay weed-free.

What Are Some Easy-To-Grow Groundcovers And Grasses For Beginners?

New gardeners can grow Creeping Thyme, Blue Fescue, or even Liriope. These plants are tough, low-maintenance, and adaptable to different garden conditions.