Lose the Lawn!

(Trachelospermum asiaticum). Attractive, dark green leaves. Tough and covers quickly. Grows 6-8 inches tall and roots as it spreads. Creamy yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. Evergreen.

(Euonymus fortunei radicans). Fast-spreading, tough, vining shrub with dark green leaves. Grows about a foot tall and roots as it goes. Will climb plants and structures if given the chance. Evergreen.

(Juniperus horizontalis). Tough, drought-tolerant, evergreen.  A popular selection called ‘Wiltonii’ (aka “blue rug”) grows 4 inches tall and up to 8 feet wide.

(Cotoneaster horizontalis). Grows 2-3 feet tall and up to 15 feet wide. White flowers in spring and red berries and leaves in fall. Deciduous.

(Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’). Bright yellow, rounded leaves. Stems spread quickly, rooting as they grow.  Forms a mat about 4 inches high. Will climb over small plants it encounters. Loses bright color in shade. Deciduous.

(Liriope muscari). Forms large clumps 1-2 feet tall and wide, but doesn’t spread by underground stems. Showy blue, purple, pink, or white summer flowers. Leaves may be solid green or striped with yellow. Cut back to 2 inches tall in late winter to remove ragged leaves.

(Ajuga reptans). Grows 4 inches tall with green, bronze, purple, or variegated foliage and showy  blue, white, or pink flowers. Spreads rapidly by runners to form low mat. Evergreen. Good drainage is essential to avoid disease.

(Hedera helix).  Fastest ground cover to spread and fill in. Attractive, lobed, evergreen leaves. Many selections, some with variegated white or yellow foliage. Stems root as they spread. Will climb anything and can be invasive.

(Pachysandra terminalis). Luxurious, glossy, dark green leaves. Grows 8-12 inches high. White flowers in summer. Spreads by runners at a moderate pace. Evergreen.

(Ophiopogon japonicus). Slender, dark green, grasslike leaves form a carpet 6-8 inches tall. Spreads by underground stems to make an excellent, no-mow lawn after several years.  Evergreen.