Ground covers are low-growing plants that form dense mats as they quickly spread over the soil. These plants are often used to control erosion and manage weeds in rocky landscapes and shady areas. Grass is a suitable ground cover for many areas, but other options are available where grass is hard to grow or maintain.

Plants that have silvery-tone foliage are some of the most valuable in the landscape because they look good with anything. Silver helps tone down bold, reds, yellows, and oranges, yet harmonizes with soft blues, pinks, and whites. Here are some of the most reliable annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs to consider. #gardening #gardeningtips #silverleafplants #landscaping #bhg

Injecting light into the shade garden, Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy' (Spotted Dead Nettle) is a semi-evergreen, mat-forming perennial noted for its foliage of heart-shaped, silvery-green leaves adorned with thin dark green margins. Small, hooded, white flowers open in attractive whorls at the end of the stems in late spring and bloom prolifically for about 10 weeks, then sporadically into fall. With a long bloom period and colorful foliage, Spotted Dead Nettle is an excellent groundcover…

Lamium groundcovers are the right choice for High Mountain, shady gardens. 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.

Think of ground cover plants as the alluring, low-lying stars of your garden's show.

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Lamium or dead nettle is an attractive ground cover perennial. It's best suited to shaded areas of the garden. Dead nettle is really easy to…

Silver Beacon lamium makes a great ground cover. Here it is making a "skirt" for some hostas. Although it is a vigorous grower, it is shallow rooted, so it's easy to pull out any that is growing where it shouldn't be . Lamium will grow in shade or sun, but will bloom earlier and more profusely in sun. It can also be tucked into a collection of plants in a pot to give added interest all summer long. At the end of the season, replant it in the ground and it will be ready to use the next year…

Perennial groundcovers provide an easy solution to a variety of problems in the garden and offer up spectacular color and food for pollinators in your area.