Ground covers help fill in difficult areas with green

Have a trouble spot in the garden? Whether you want to plant a flower bed border or replace dying grass under your shady trees, ground cover might be the answer.

Spreading plants that fully cover soil surface, ground covers serve a variety of functions in the garden. From filling bare areas to offering options for grass removal or softening hardscapes, they offer a water-wise and droughttolerant option. They also help control weed growth and prevent erosion.

Growing up to 4 inches tall, you can choose from evergreen or deciduous varieties, both flowering and nonflowering, in a wide variety of shapes and colors. Dense, lower ground covers are well-suited to areas between flagstones or pavers where they can handle foot (and paw) traffic and soften hardscape.

Creative use of ground cover can act as a transitional design element—anund erstory to taller perennials, shrubs and trees, providing contrast and horizontal interest. It often serves as the first layer in a planting bed, fol-