Hello!
I found a number of listings, all with specifications that fit your
requirements. I have included a list, with websites that you can
peruse. Many of these offer pictures so you can get an idea if they
match what you're looking for aesthetically, as well as size-wise. I
was a bit unclear as to your range for low-growing. These plants all
grow between 1-4 ft in height. I also tried to find non-region
specific, but if these plants can't be grown where you live, let me
know and I'll hunt down a few more region-friendly types.
If you don't have an idea about what 'zone' you live in, this guide
can help a lot. It will also allow you to better match what plants
will do the best in your neck of the woods.
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html?
Here are a few of the plants I've been able to find, along with some
rough zoning estimations.
Purple Aeonium - Succulent. Part sun. Drought tolerant. Yellow
flowers in summer. 3' x 2'. 25-30 degrees F. (Zone 8, 9)
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?
region_id=6&plant_id=45&page=
Kiwi Aeonium - Low growing mound forming succulent with small white,
pink and pale green rosettes . Part to full sun. Drought tolerant.
25-30 degrees F. (Zone 8, 9)
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?region_id=6&plant_id=46&page=
Red Valerian - Perennial. Sun/Shade. Low to Moderate water needs. Red
flowers spring- summer. 3'x2'. 15-20 degrees F. (Zone 8)
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?region_id=6&plant_id=380&page=
Outside of that listing, you might also try the Prostrate Juniper --
Juniperus Sabina, which is an evergreen, woody groundcover with
needlike foilage. Its low growing, shade tolerant, and requires
little or no water once established. A bonus, is that it can
tolerate most soil conditions. It grows between 8-12 inches. (Zone
3)
http://www.zone7water.com/droughtgard.html
Polygonum (polygonum capitatum)
Evergreen perennial, a rugged, tough and trailing groundcover to 8 in
high. spreading to 20 in. Leaves are dark green, and the plant blooms
most of the year. The site lists it as a
"Good ground cover for uncultivated areas or for confined areas where
its invasive roots can be held in check." and notes that it can be
grown in sun or shade, and will endure arid climes. (Zone 10)
http://www.maasnursery.com/groundcovers6.htm
Also, if you managed to luck out and live in Nebraska, the NebGuide, a
publication out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has a -great-
little table that outlines the plant's qualities, characteristics, and
requirements.
Many of these plants, including the Bearberry and the Hen-and-Chickens
(Sempervivum tectorum) will fit the specifications you asked for.
The Search terms I used for this were:
"low growing" +drought +shade "evergreen" +groundcover
Good Luck, and I hope this helps.
Bitmaven-ga |
Clarification of Answer by
bitmaven-ga
on
30 May 2002 19:14 PDT
The clarifications helped considerably.
Here are a few more groundcovers, with your specifications in mind:
HEDERA (IVY)
HELIX 'English' Evergreen, dark green, heavily veined 2"-3" leaves 3-5
lobes excellent for slopes or borders, One of the hardies of all
ivies. Best to let soil dry out between waterings. Prefers some shade
in zones 7-10
AJUGA (Bugleweed)
Shiny rounded evergreen leaves, some with shadings of red or bronze.
Spreads fairly rapidly. Excellent groundcover for part-sun or shade
and any soil, but most vigorous in moist conditions. Will grow under
trees. Especially good where soil is acid and grass won't grow.
Flowers in May and June. Zones 4-8
REPTANS 'GAIETY' Waxy bronze/purple leaves 3" long 2" lilac flower
spikes in early spring Mature size 3" to 4" tall - Prolific. Excellent
Winter accent.
REPTANS 'BURGUNDY GLOW' Variegated green white and burgundy leaves
lilac flower spikes in early spring Mature size 3" to 4" tall
http://ads.web.aol.com/html/7002034/1022806009/aol?target=_top&width=234&height=60
Asarum caudatum , perennial, evergreen, grows to about 3.9 in. It is
a zone 7 plant, requires little moisture, and can grow in full shade.
The root also doubles as a ginger substitute.
http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/ground2.html
Ceanothus prostratus -Squaw carpet is an evergreen shrub that grows to
about 2 inches, is a zone 7 plant, can grow in some shade, is
drought-tolerant and has a medium growth rate. It is also a dye/
soap substitute.
http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/ground4.html
This site provides a great listing of groundcover in general.
http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/ground1.html (this is the alphabetical
index, with keys to determine what plants will grow where and under
what conditions)
I hope these help.
Search terms used:
""Zone 7" "groundcover" +evergreen"
-bitmaven-ga
|
