Most of us have spots around our homes that are unsuitable for lawn turf for one reason or another.  Maybe it's a steep slope, or a narrow area where it's hard to mow, or an area under a large tree that is too shady to support a conventional lawn. Or maybe you just want to reduce the size of the lawn to save time and effort in mowing.  Enter the wonderful world of ground covers.

Ground cover plants as a general rule are easy to maintain, are very attractive, and once established, require little maintenance.  There is a ground cover available for every scenario - from deep shade to bright sun, and from poor soil to rich loam.  The secret of success with ground covers is choosing the right plant for the area in question. 

Ground covers spread quickly and are usually very resistant to diseases and pests, making them a gardener's dream.  Before planting a ground cover, do some research on what does well in your area, and think about what it is you want to achieve.  Remember that once established, you have to live with this plant for a long time to come.   There are many properties to consider, such as whether you want bright color, shades of green, fragrance, textures, or usefulness, such as you would find in an herbal ground cover.   Or maybe you want all of the above.  The good news is you can have that if you choose your plants carefully.

As a note, in some cases, individual ground covers are sometimes better known as annuals, biennials and perennials, herbs and vines.  I have therefore listed them in multiple categories so they won't be overlooked.  This is a large website, and it is very difficult to cross-reference everything and still have room for the subject matter.  I have done my best, but don't forget about the backspace button if you find yourself in an unintended category.