Ground cover plants are a great way to keep your lawn looking great while also preventing soil erosion and conserving water. They also add some color and beauty to your yard and are an excellent installment for your garden, flower beds, and hills. Let’s look at 11 Pennsylvania ground cover plants.
Pennsylvania Ground Cover Plants
Typically, there are many different types of ground cover plants. Some of the most popular Pennsylvania ground cover plants include:
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
The wild ginger is a great ground cover plant for your garden. This perennial ground cover with a rhizome-like root system has small white flower clusters that bloom in spring and summer. The leaves are heart-shaped and are usually under an inch in length. This plant is often found growing in moist areas and grows up to two feet wide.
Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
The Pennsylvania sedge is a great plant for erosion control. This perennial ground cover grows in damp areas and full sun or partial shade. The leaves are long and narrow and have a triangular stem that is often red or purple. The flowers of this plant are small and white. This fast-growing ground cover spreads by rhizomes and can reach lengths of up to five feet.
Allegheny Spurge (Pachysandra procumbens)
This ground cover is an excellent alternative to lawns because of its ability to grow in shady areas. This plant can be found growing on slopes and hillsides. The leaves are around 2-3 inches long, and the flowers are white with purple spots.
Blue Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum)
The blue mistflower is a great ground cover for your garden. This perennial ground cover grows in moist areas and has white flowers that bloom in spring and summer. The leaves of this plant are round and are usually under an inch in length and heart-shaped.
Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina)
The lady fern is a perennial ground cover that grows in moist areas, full sun or shade. The leaves of this plant are long and spade-shaped with serrated edges. The fronds of this plant can reach lengths of up to one foot long. The flowers are small and greenish-yellow in color.
White Sweet Clover (Melilotus alba)
White Sweet Clover is an annual herb that grows in the rich soils of fields, waste places, stream banks, and roadsides. It has bright green leaves with white flowers. The leaves of this plant are round and are usually under an inch in length. The flowers of this plant are white and grow on long stalks. This ground cover grows up to two feet.
Goldenstar (Chrysogonum virginianum)
This perennial ground cover is an excellent alternative to lawns because of its ability to in dry areas. The leaves of this plant are long, heart-shaped and have a serrated edge. The flowers are yellowish-green and grow on long stalks. This plant can reach lengths of up to one foot.
Prostrate Blue Violet (Viola walteri ‘Silver Gem’)
The Prostrate Blue Violet is a perennial plant with beautiful silvery-blue, heart-shaped foliage. This plant is native to Appalachian North America. The leaves of this plant are round and are usually under an inch in length. The flowers of this plant are purple and grow on long stalks. This ground cover can reach lengths of up to three feet.
Creeping Mint (Meehania cordata)
Creeping Mint is a perennial ground cover found in Pennsylvania and south to North Carolina. The leaves of this plant are heart-shaped and are usually under an inch in length. This plant can reach lengths of up to one foot.
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
The Mountain Laurel is a flowering broadleaf shrub that has a gnarly, multi-stemmed growth habit. The leaves of this plant are round, heart-shaped, and have serrated edges. This plant can be found growing on slopes, rocky areas, and hillsides. The flowers are white with purple spots usually bloom in spring and summer. This ground cover can reach lengths of up to one foot.
Prairie Smoke (Thalictrum flavum)
The Prairie Smoke is a perennial ground cover that is found in the area of North America. This plant has bright yellow flowers with purple spots. The leaves of this plant are heart-shaped and are usually under an inch in length. This plant can reach lengths of up to three feet.