Ground Covers

Southern Gardening is back at the Lancaster’s home in Grenada, MS, admiring various ground cover plants used throughout their landscape. Let's take a look at some of these plants. Around the pool, Japanese sweet flag is used to add texture and elegance. This low-growing, grass-like perennial is valued for its arching foliage and subtle fragrance. Thriving in moist to wet soils, it’s an excellent choice for water gardens, boggy areas, and along pond or pool edges. Its slender, sword-shaped leaves grow in dense clumps, reaching 6 to 12 inches tall, with this particular variety showcasing striking golden-yellow variegation. Another standout in the landscape is Asiatic jasmine, which is planted beneath loropetalums and allowed to cascade gracefully down a brick retaining wall, creating a dramatic and visually appealing effect. Creeping Jenny also plays a key role, enhancing the space with its vibrant color, rapid growth, and versatility. Its low-growing, trailing habit forms a lush, dense ground cover that helps suppress weeds and stabilize soil, making it particularly useful for erosion control on slopes. The small, round leaves create a beautiful carpet of bright lime green foliage, adding warmth and brightness wherever it is planted. For more information about ground cover plants, visit our website at extension.msstate.edu. I'm Eddie Smith, and I look forward to seeing you next time on Southern Gardening!