Interrupted fern, like bunchberry and liverleaf, is a North American native that can serve as a low-maintenance ground cover for shade. General description Fast-growing perennial ground cover that may be either trailing or upright depending on conditions. plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Straight from your grandma's garden, Dianthus is an old-fashioned perennial with a vanilla-like scent. Imagine sky blue flowers popping up in and around your shade garden in the springtime, swaying in the slightest breeze, rising above a carpet of Canadian wild ginger or lamium (see below). However, creeping ground coverings tend to spread the fastest. It grows to a maximum height of about 12 inches with an 18-inch spread, and it flowers with white blossoms in spring. Evergreen ground covers, such as creeping juniper, require little care. When selecting a ground cover for shady areas, make sure to choose shade-tolerant plants that naturally thrive with minimal sunlight. When not in bloom, the heart-shaped, dark green leaves with purplish undersides make an attractive deer and rabbit resistant ground cover. It grows in little clumps, likes moist soil, and prefers full to part sun. Spotted dead nettles tolerate evenshady areas that have dry soil. It forms a dense, 8- to 12 . It isnt too particular about soil type as long as the drainage is decent. Vinca minor(commonly known as periwinkle) is a very popular ground cover because it's drought-tolerant, pest-free, inexpensive, and easy to grow in just about any type of soil. A favorite type is 'Silver Carpet' as it spreads easily, rarely flowers, and stays short at 4 to 6 inches tall. Some hybrids offer striking, flat flower clusters that bees and butterflies can use as a landing pad. Read our. Like sedges, many different types of asters that will grow in partial shade to full shade. It's also used for ground cover to stop erosion because its tough roots hold soil in place. Creeping phlox is the quintessential ground cover plant. It is evergreen, but some of the leaves may turn brown during winter. Lamium groundcovers are the right choice for High Mountain, shady gardens. Lamium? English Ivy. 14. Dead nettle, also known as Lamium, is a low-growing perennial with silver-splashed leaves and bursts of purple, pink, or white flowers that pop up in spring and early summer. It offers similar value and requires similar conditions. Doesn't need much water. Ground covers that develop flowers and fruit often require more maintenance to keep them attractive. The plant's multicolored leaves and tiny pastel flowers look attractive by themselves along a walkway or mingled. It reaches 6-inches in height and spreads to 24-inches wide. One of the most popular is Carex pensylvanica, commonly known as oak sedge, and it can be found across the eastern half of North America. A member of the mint family, Lamium spreads quickly, is self-seeding, and will rapidly create a ground cover wherever it is planted. Its a native to wooded areas and stream banks of the Appalachian Mountains, and easy to control. Overall, the plant is shaggy and short. They areespecially valued for use in shady spots, which is a condition that many plants dislike. Using several ground covers can add variety to the landscape and prevent soil erosion. Lamium is evergreen from Zone 6 south. Cut them to the height you prefer them to be and thin them out if they're getting too thick by cutting some of the branches throughout the plant back to the ground. Ice plant is a fast and easy-growing ground covering, but pick the right species for your climate. Plant Lenten rose ground cover in the early fall or late spring but away from the path of bitter winter winds. Do spotted dead nettle attract butterflies? Ferns come in many different colors, heights and forms. .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}9 Best Gardening Subscription Boxes 2023, 20 Best Tall Indoor Plants to Shop Online, 85 Surprising Flower Meanings With Pictures. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? Hostas are definitely not deer-resistant but they are toxic to other animals. Because the common name is often given as "spotted dead nettle". This type of evergreen comes in an array of shapes and sizes. 16 inches apart for coverage in two seasons. She has spent over two decades working in the horticulture industry on new plant development, garden design, sales, marketing and consulting. These deer-resistant plants are not bothered by rabbits either. Although not a U.S. native and with the potential to choke out nearby wildflowers, lithodora is not listed as an invasive concern. The best quickly-spreading ground cover for shade is Periwinkle 'Bowles' Variety.' But what really makes this tough perennial a standout is its vivid foliage that ranges from chartreuse to silvery white to many shades of green. She was Features Copy Desk chief before becoming the first full-time garden editor for the paper in 1988. Lamium is an excellent ground cover for shade. Spread: Slow to medium growth rate; spreads via stolons to a height of 10 inches. The horizontally-spreading branches of creeping junipers make a dense mat that weeds cant penetrate. This is not the form of thyme used in cooking, but its fragrance will attract bees and other pollinators. Glossy leaves in shades of deep green, bronze, and chocolate-brown make this perennial a great low-growing lawn alternative for almost any climate. Avoid planting Chinese lantern in garden beds and near turf grass. Susan Martin is a lifelong gardener who enjoys sharing her passion for plants, gardening and the business of horticulture with fellow plant enthusiasts across North America. There are also several cultivars (all cold-hardy to at least zone 4, most 3 to 12 inches tall, and all wanting the sun/soil conditions of the species plant) of L.maculatum, including: While dead nettle plants areflowering perennials,stinging nettles, by contrast,arenoxious weeds(but edible when properly prepared). Excellent evergreen ground cover for shadeThe North American native speciesPachysandra procumbensis harder to find but a more graceful and less spready choiceGrows 6 to 10 inches 15-25 cm tall. Plant ivy in the spring and you won't need to maintain it at all. A ground hugging creeper with silvered variegated foliage and some really pretty colored flowers Dead Nettles are an ideal choice for gardeners who want a tough plant with a variety of . Check your plants regularly and if slugs or snails are present, handpick and dispose of them as they appear. (Lamium maculatum) . If you are looking for a low-maintenance ground cover, sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a good pick, but only under certain conditions. Creeping Phlox. Miniature hostas will grow less than 9 inches tall, small hostas grow to a foot or more, and giant hostas can grow over 30 inches tall. Angelina Sedum is easy to propagate by rooting, so you can quickly fill an area with its succulent foliage. If you are looking for a tenacious ground cover that will stare in the face of drought while living in dry, sandy soil in a shady area, either shadara's violets or yellow archangel or bishop's weed should work. Slugs and snails are attracted to the liquid, fall in and drown. Here are our top 15 ground covers for shaded areas. What plant labels typically fail to mention is that, under the right growing conditions, 'Amethyst in Snow' makes a flowering ground cover that will spread nicely. She writes a weekly garden Q&A and feature stories. That kind doesnt make a good ground cover and needs lots of sun to grow well. By Sarah Littleton and Teresa Odle Published Jan 10, 2023 4:50 PM. This sun-lover grows to a maximum height of about 12 inches with a 24-inch spread, and it blooms with lavender to pink flowers in July. There are almost endless varieties of hostas that will fit your needs, many with variegated leaves and spikey short-lived and unremarkable flowers. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming. This ground cover requires very little care at allif planted in full shade. Hmmm. Grow Canadian wild ginger in humus-rich, moist soil in light shade to deep shade conditions in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. 3. This quickly spreading ground cover forms a tight, six- to 10-inch tall mass of shiny green foliage that blushes bright red and bronze beginning in early fall. wide. Perfect for plantings under perennials or shrubs and as a groundcover or edging plant. I think I'll try some . Spotted dead nettles have few problems in the north; among other good features is the fact that they are deer-resistant plants. It can cover large areas if you let it, so take care to find a place where its spreading tendency will be welcomed. Growing 3-6 inches tall, it can be used as a full ground cover, or you can plant it around stepping stones and pathways. Though its lush leaves dont scream drought tolerant, sedum boasts an ability to root and thrive in even the driest, rockiest settingsthus earning it the familiar name stonecrop. The secret? I put the Lamium along a side of the housewhere the soil is very thin and a lot of plants do not like to grow. The only real maintenance required is trimming it back after it has finished flowering, or whenever it becomes too scraggly for your tastes. But in regions where spotted dead nettle is not invasive, it acts as an effective ground cover for deeply shaded areas. chezmoose. Spotted deadnettle. This is a slow-growing and long-lasting ground cover that simply needs pruning every so often to prevent it from growing leggy. If the hill is big, remove the grass in stages so as not to take unnecessary chances with erosion. Its a good idea to add some mulch around the plant to help suppress weeds. Its a relative of mint, so its guaranteed to spread, and its hardy in the cold of Zone 3 but can take heat up to Zone 8. If you prefer a small hosta, opt for 'Blue Mouse Ears' that grows 6 to 12 inches high with round, heart-shaped blue-green leaves. One difference, though, is that it is more aggressive. Lamium maculatum: Also called spotted deadnettle, forms a dense mat over. Shes passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves. Pollinating bees and butterflies delight in its bright golden yellow, daisy-like flowers that appear from late spring into early summer. In fact, beware of this potentially invasive ground cover, especially if you live near a forest. Place lamium where you won't be smashing it underfoot, though, because its stems are somewhat fragile. In warm regions and/or insheltered areas of your yard, they may be evergreen. This clumping perennial is less than a foot tall, with slender, long, arching leaves. Plant bugleweed in the late spring or early summer and it will quickly spread runners (stolons) that can form a dense mat to fill large and shady areas, especially where you need erosion control. Curious reddish brown flowers bloom in spring at ground level under the foliage. It needs full sun to bloom best. Ground cover plants are the perfect solution for a variety of landscaping issues. They can spread across bare ground, suppressing weeds and dust, preventing erosion, decreasing water evaporation, and adding color. Lamium is in the mint family (Lamiaceae), which provides a hint as to its toughness. Here in North American home gardens, it serves as a six- to 10-inch tall, slowly spreading ground cover for part shade to full shade. Propagate by division in autumn or early spring After flowering, plants can be cut back to encourage fresh foliage cover. Low-growing, ground-hugging perennial plants are the best low-maintenance ground coverings. The nepeta genus includes roughly 250 species. Overview: Spotted Dead Nettle - Lamium maculatum is a herbaceous perennial growing to 0.2 -0.9m at a fast . This plant thrives in wet soils, which is why planting it in dry soil and denying it water helps keep it in check. Many use the ground cover to define the borders of garden paths. Try to plant it in large groupings on a hillside or along the house's foundation to prevent erosion. Read our, Amethyst in Snow (Centaurea montana 'Amethyst in Snow'), 31 Best-Deer Resistant Flowers and Plants to Grow, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 18 Perennial Flowers That Bloom in Spring, Summer and Fall, 35 Types of Orange Flowers: Identification & Photos, 15 Best Plants for Drought-Tolerant Gardens, Angelina Sedum (Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'), Rock Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis), Chinese lantern is also considered invasive. Lamium spreads quickly, so be ready to cut it back if it begins to encroach on other shrubs and flowers. Some of these ground covers will grow in sun and others in shade; all will put on growth quickly. She is married to photographer John Everett and they have one son. At the time of this publication, there were 30 cultivars of L. maculatumlisted in the RHS Plant Finder, compared to 11 cultivars for all the other species combined. Planted along sloped pieces of land, it can neaten up the area while providing ground covering. Its starry white flowers appear late in the season at a time when many other perennials are finished blooming, making it an important food source for pollinators. Choose plants that are hardy to USDA zones 2 to 4. It needs full sun to flourish. It prefers moderate climates but is able to withstand full sun and drought-like conditions. One way to cut back on the energy and resources you put into your yard is to incorporate ground covers into the landscape. Available at Etsy; $10.99 per 1-quart plant. Candytuft is a ground-hugging, clumping, and flowering perennial that dies back each winter and rebounds each spring and early summer. This plant can be invasive, depending on where you live. Lamium plants are a perfect deer resistant groundcover to brighten a partly sunny to semi-shady spot. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. RELATED: How to Grow Zinnias in Your Home Garden. Another bonus is that it is common and considered one of the cheapest ground covering plants. Use it to highlight other plants with darker foliage, such as boxwoods and conifers. 1. Leadwort begins blooming in late summer with beautiful, electric-blue flowers and continues until the first frost. Hardy in zones 7 through 10, these low maintenance ground cover plants love full sun and heat. To make sure your ground covers get the job done (ya know, dressing up your landscape), follow the instructions on their plant care tag to give them the right conditions. Lamium, or dead nettle, is a perennial ground cover, often with variegation. As lovely a ground cover as it seems, it's also considered invasive and is toxic to pets. Early mornings and evenings and after periods of damp weather are the best times to hunt for these pests. Lamb's Ear. New delosperma varieties boast yellow, orange, apricot, and bicolor flowers. Vinca has few pests, so it can be considered invasive, which is good news if your goal is to keep weeds at bay. Just beware: Its rapid growth makes this an invasive plant throughout the Eastern United States, as well as parts of Texas and the Southwest. Manure tea is a good substitute when it is too difficult to work more compost into the soil. Creeping thyme. On the other hand, keeping it in check requires occasionally cutting back the stems, which can actually self-root if they fall off naturally. Key Dead-nettle facts Name - Lamium maculatum Family - Lamiaceae Type - perennial Height - 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) Exposure - full sun to shade Soil - rich and well drained Foliage - deciduous Lamium maculatum stays relatively short, with the typical cultivar standing less than a foot tall. Blooms are cream colored. Hedera helix. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. When grown as a ground cover, it is an easy-care plant that requires little maintenance. Elsewhere (and depending on growing conditions), they are more likely to besemi-evergreen, herbaceous plants. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. They are tough and their easy-going adaptability to a wide variety of rocky slopes, clay, and alkaline soils keep them comfortable in the west. Otherwise, no pruning is needed, and if you're using it only for ground covering, watch that it does not grab hold of a tree bark or the siding of your house because its roots will dig in, making it hard to remove without damaging the surface. Being creepers and having a tendency to spread, these classic cottage-garden plants are popular flowering ground covers. . This shrub also offers some fall-foliage value. This native, weed-suppressing ground cover spreads quickly by seed and offshoots to fill challenging spaces under tall trees, along the waters edge, or in that tough strip between the street and sidewalk. It will happily soak up the excess moisture, especially if its a sunny spot. It prefers moist ground, drought-tolerant once established, and needs full shade. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. They save their energy for the surprisingly large flowers, white on desert zinnia and yellow on prairie zinnia. Known as Lamium maculatum, this perennial plant is deer- and rabbit-resistant and boasts a lengthy bloom time: from mid-spring to early summer. Select a branch and cut it off the plant. Plants that are under 12 inches tall are good for tight spaces and as edging but can require some weeding to look their best. Within two to three years of planting, it forms a lush carpet of velvety, green, heart-shaped leaves that hug the ground. .css-1byi7p4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#fff;-webkit-transition:background 0.3s ease-in-out,color 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:background 0.3s ease-in-out,color 0.3s ease-in-out;display:inline-block;background-color:#000000;border-radius:0.125rem;font-family:NeutraDisplay,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.79054rem;line-height:1;font-weight:bold;height:unset;letter-spacing:0.05rem;padding:0.6rem 1rem;text-transform:uppercase;width:auto;}.css-1byi7p4:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:#595959;background-color:#53c2be;}.css-1byi7p4:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}SHOP LILY OF THE VALLEY. Being creepersand having a tendency to spread, these classic cottage-garden plants are popular flowering ground covers. If you set out a little nursery-grown pot of Lamium in spring. But beware: This hardy opportunist, if left unchecked, can become unsightly and sometimes invasive. Ajuga ground cover doing very well in low light. Creeping liriope plants make low-maintenance, tough, and drought-tolerant ground covers with spikey flowers and grass-like foliage. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Growing to a height of about 6 inches with a spread of 9 inches, it has waxy green leaves that should be removed as they turn brown. This aromatic herb can be an invasive plant when grown in moist soil, where it sometimes spreads out of control. . Fun bonus: The flowers, either fresh or dried, can be used in salads or steeped in teas. This tuberous perennial has long, thin, chive-like foliage you can enjoy in the kitchen; the greenery is topped by tiny purple flowers in the summer, and its also available in a variegated type. A particularly vigorous variety, Walkers Low, was The Perennial Plant Associations plant of the year in 2007. Once it settles in to its new home, this fern will speed up its spread and transplant easily if you find new shady places for it in your landscape. Grows in zone 2 to 6 in part shade and part Sun. The foliage is evergreen and the 3-inch-high plant trails or spreads, favoring gravel and other sunny, dry conditions in zones 5 through 9. This easy-to-grow plant spreads and produces numerous offspring from seed. But they are not grasses, and are instead herbaceous floweringperennial plantsin the asparagus family. Some leaves may revert back to an all-green color (instead of being variegated); be sure to prune these out, so that the green color does not eventually take over the plant. But this plant with prettyfoliageand funny namerarely becomes a problem for those who grow it in areas where it is already native. There may be restrictions on planting it in these areas. This tenacious perennial spreads rapidly, thrives in full sun, is cold hardy, grows in poor soil, and is drought tolerant once established. The ground has only recently thawed and most are waiting for just the right amount of consistent warmth and moisture before coming up. 1 most stressful city for U.S. workers, Texas tornados destroy homes, leave 300,000 without power, Willie Nelson's new album is a lovely tribute to a fellow country legend, Turner: TEA is giving Houston ISD two optionsclose school or be taken over, Two ocelots were photographed crossing a road in rare South Texas sighting. For a sun-loving, pollinator-friendly herb, creeping thyme ( Thymus praecox) will fill your lawn with a fine-leaved mat of dainty pink, white, or purple flowers. The only issue to watch for is rotting leaves. Just like the name implies, the fuzzy silver leaves resemble lamb's ears. This selection forms a spreading patch of small silver leaves with a stunning blue-green edge. In early spring, flowers that look like fairy wings appear on this perennial. It even takes on the terribly invasive Garlic Mustard. For companion plants, select other shade-lovers. In the South or West, the ground cover may lose its leaves or die back in the cold months. Lamium is a fast-growing, perennial ground cover that deer and rabbits avoid. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? They have silver foliage and produce showy pink, purple or white flowers in late spring. However, keep it away from turf grass to avoid damage. And beware that it is considered invasive in some areas of the Northeast and Northwest. The silvery foliage of theseshade plantsmakes them a good fit for landscape designs with creative color schemes. It has a stripe down the middle that can be white, yellow, red, or silver. No special soil is needed for it to flourish and reseed. While it may be one of the toughest (er, tolerant) plants out there, Lily of the Valley looks as sweet as can be with darling white bells dangling from strappy green leaves. Poke holes in the fabric and plant the junipers, then cover the fabric with mulch. FYI: Full sun means an area gets 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day, part sun is anywhere from 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight, and full shade is up to 3 hours of sun. To propagate from the stem, cut the 10cm long portion of the stem and leave it to scab for some time. Nepeta x faassenia, commonly called nepeta, nepeta catmint, or Faassen's catmint, is one of several perennial catmint plants. RELATED: 14 of the Best Plants for Your Drought-Tolerant Garden. Few ground covers ever look as beautiful as creeping phlox in spring, when it produces an explosion of fragrant, star-shaped, pastel-colored flowers. Native to Europe and western Asia, Lamium is frequently found naturalized along woodland trails and paths and colonized along the banks of streams. It has a stripe down the middle that can be white, yellow, red, or silver. Nepeta x faassenii is one such species that makes for a good ground cover, since it is one of the best ground coverings to stop weeds. Copyright 2013-2023. Need an easy evergreen carpet to plant where no grass dare grow? RELATED: 10 Grass-Free Alternatives to a Traditional Lawn. 6. It does best in cooler summer weather and prefers full sun to part shade. Though pruning is not necessary, hostas will yellow and die back so trimming dead foliage can look better, especially in a small area. If you prefer a similar but less aggressive variety, consider C. montana 'Amethyst Dream'. Ferns come in an array of shapes, sizes, and colors. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, Spotted Dead Nettles vs. Stinging Nettles. RELATED: Bad Neighbors: 11 Plant Pairs Never to Grow Side by Side. Try it in part shade to full shade, with moist, well-drained soil. It is perfect for rock gardens, edging of pathways or front of the flower border. Plant it in full sun during the spring in cooler climates and in shadier areas during the fall in warmer regions. A native of Moultrie, Ga., she graduated from Queens University of Charlotte, formerly Queens College. Bunchberry is a shade-loving deciduous shrub native to northern portions of North America. Ice plant is a perennial succulent ground cover with fleshy leaves and colorful flowers. A relative of spotted dead nettles is yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon). The little silver leaves of lamium are like bits of glitter strewn about the garden floor, reflecting any dappled sunlight that finds them. Spotted dead nettles should be pruned in the summer after the first blooming period. Care requirements for creeping phlox are few. Consult with your local extension office before growing spotted deadnettle because it is invasive in some areas. Plant liriope any time for quick growth and spreading. The promise is that Lamiums are fast-growing perennial ground cover or container plants that brighten partly sunny spots and produce charming flowers. This sweetly-scented perennial spreads easily, so keep it in check by planting it in well-groomed areas like along walkways or close to the house's foundation. The midsummer shearing also encourages a second flowering period in September. The creeping juniper is a sprawling, creeping needled evergreen shrub that grows to a maximum height of about 18 inches and with a spread that can go as much as 8 feet. Look for varieties like Ghost that are heavily silvered and really brighten up lightly to densely shaded spaces. One of the best fast-growing ground cover plants for full sun is flowering candytuft. It grows best in morning sun and afternoon shade. When planted in full sun it usually needs extra watering, at least until the plant is well established. 25 Low-Maintenance Ground Cover Plants for Sun and Shade, 10 Best Plants for Erosion Control in Your Yard, How to Grow and Care for Canadian Hemlock Trees, How to Grow and Care for Emerald Gaiety Wintercreeper, 35 Common Weeds in Lawns and Gardens: Identification & Control, How to Grow and Care for Dusty Miller (Silver Dust), Forget-Me-Not: Plant Care, Growing Tips, and Symbolism, 30 Best Plants With Purple Flowers to Grow Outdoors, Purple Dragon: Purplish flowers and silver foliage, White Nancy: White flowers, silvery leaves, Beedham's White: White flowers, leaves chartreuse and white, Cannon's Gold: Pink flowers, chartreuse foliage, Orchid Frost: Pink-purple flowers; leaves silver in the center andgreen at the edge; known for its disease-resistance, Anne Greenway: Mauve flowers; green,chartreuse, and silver leaves, Aureum: Pink flowers; leaves golden on the edge, white in the center, Ghost: Light-purple flowers; leaves almost wholly silver; taller (up to 14 inches) than the typical. This one is a horticultural hybrid developed by crossing Nepata racemosawithN. nepetella. It also doesn't die back in the winter. Planted in groupings, which spread rapidly, they make an elegant groundcover for moist, shady areas. Lamium maculatum (white nettle, pink pewter, and spotted nettle) Lamium galeobdolon . In moist soil, however, brass buttons spread vigorously, forming 2-inch-tall mats of growth strong and thick enough to withstand even regular foot traffic. Noteworthy Characteristics Lamium maculatum, commonly called spotted deadnettle, is native to Europe and North Africa to West Asia. Theywill not require much waterwhen grown in full shade, a fact that (along with their resistance to deer pests) recommends them to homeowners seeking low-maintenance landscaping. Rock cotoneaster is a deciduous shrub. It's deer-resistant and can tolerate drought, heat, and cold. If you are looking for something unusual, consider wall germander, a broadleaf woody-stemmed evergreen that is often massed or used as a low hedge along retaining walls or in knot gardens. The 25 low-maintenance ground cover plants in this list are vigorous (some more than others) but manageable, so they will fill in empty spaces without growing out-of-control. Lamium is undemanding and easy to grow in partial to fully shaded locations. The name "Dead Nettle" refers to the fact that Lamium does not have the stinging hair characteristic of other nettles. The unusual common name of "dead nettles" alludes to the fact that, while it resembles stinging nettles, the stingers are dead on L. maculatum, rendering it harmless. Aside from good exposure to sunlight, these leafy green clusters ask little of their gardener with no need to replant every season.