Ground-overs are living plants or inert materials that serve to cover and protect the soil.

Plants used for groundcovers include many varieties. Grasses, vines and low-growing shrubs, flowers and herbs add color, fragrance and beauty to the garden. Some are self-seeding annuals. Others are perennials.

They can be deciduous or evergreen, broad-leafed or needle. They can range in size from a few inches to shrubs that reach three feet. Generally, the smaller the plant, the more versatile it is as a groundcover.

Inert groundcovers include stones, rocks, mulches, plastics and wood chips. They can be used together with plants to create a harmonious and beautiful effect in the garden.

Groundcovers do more than cover the ground. They provide an effective way to solve many gardening problems.

They can be substituted for lawns where grasses cannot thrive because of poor soil, dense shade, high wind or lack of moisture. Groundcovers are ideal for preventing erosion on steep slopes and are easier and less dangerous to maintain.

The small-leafed ground-covers can be used to creep into all sorts of nooks and crannies: between the cracks in garden paths, around stepping-stones, in and over stone walls and fences, in any empty corner or between the exposed roots of trees.

Whatever the landscape problem, there’s a groundcover to solve it.

Although groundcovers are frequently used as problem solvers, they can be happy additions to the garden for their beauty and ornamental value. A growing number of people are using ground-covers to replace their turf-grass. Once established, groundcovers need far less maintenance than a lawn and can be even more attractive.

Keys to success in growing groundcovers are to:

Know your hardiness zone and micro-climate. The north side of your house may be colder than other sides. This is also true of the bottom of hills or ground exposed to wind.

Have the right kind of soil, one that includes sand, clay, silt and organic matter.

Get your soil tested for pH and nutritional needs and add fertilizer accordingly.

Prepare the soil.

Use good planting techniques.

Cover the ground between plants with mulch.

Space the plants to maximum advantage.

Plan a pleasing design for the present and the future. You may use geometric squares, triangles or rectangles. Or free-flowing shapes may be the pattern of your choice.

Include birdbaths, feeders, gazebos, swings, walkways, benches, etcetera.

Your use of groundcovers is limited only by your imagination.

Growing Green” is contributed by Lehigh County Extension Office Staff and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-746-1970.