10 Groundcovers For Erosion Ideas for 2021

by Bilal Iqbal – July 13, 2013

10 Groundcover Ideas to Combat Erosion and Enhance Landscapes

Erosion is a natural process that can harm the environment, leading to loss of topsoil, degradation of landscapes, and compromised water quality. However, there are practical and sustainable ways to mitigate erosion, and one of these is using groundcovers.

Groundcovers are low-growing plants that spread across the soil surface, protecting against erosion while adding aesthetic value to landscapes. This article presents ten groundcover ideas that combat erosion and contribute to a visually appealing environment.

Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) Creeping juniper is an evergreen groundcover known for its rugged and hardy nature. Its low, sprawling growth habit helps stabilize soil on slopes and embankments, preventing erosion. The dense foliage also provides a habitat for small wildlife. Creeping juniper's needle-like leaves and blue-green color add year-round interest to the landscape.

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) Creeping phlox is a spring-flowering groundcover that produces a carpet of colorful blooms. Its cascading growth habit creates a natural barrier against erosion. The vibrant flowers come in various shades, including pink, purple, white, and blue, adding color to gardens. Creeping phlox thrives in well-drained soil and is particularly effective on slopes.

Vinca Minor (Vinca minor) Also known as periwinkle, Vinca minor is an excellent choice for shaded areas prone to erosion. This evergreen ground cover forms a dense mat of glossy leaves and produces charming blue or white flowers in spring. Its shallow root system helps stabilize soil, making it suitable for preventing erosion on banks and under trees.

Sedum (Sedum spp.) Sedums are succulent groundcovers in various varieties, offering diverse textures and colors. These plants are not only drought-tolerant but also effective at erosion control. Their fleshy leaves retain water, reducing runoff and enhancing soil stability. Sedums are particularly beneficial for rocky or sandy soils where erosion is a concern.

Ajuga (Ajuga reptans) Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, is a versatile groundcover that thrives in both sun and partial shade. Its dense mat of foliage helps suppress weeds and prevent erosion. Ajuga produces spikes of small, tubular flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white, adding visual interest to the landscape.

Dianthus (Dianthus spp.) Dianthus, called pinks or carnations, is a ground cover with grass-like or cushion-like growth. Its evergreen foliage forms a neat mound that effectively covers the soil and reduces erosion. Dianthus produces fragrant, often bi-colored flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of gardens.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Bearberry, also known as kinnikinnick, is a hardy groundcover that thrives in challenging conditions, including poor soils and rocky terrains. Its prostrate growth habit and dense, leathery leaves make it an excellent choice for erosion-prone areas. Bearberry produces small, pinkish-white flowers followed by red berries, attracting wildlife.

Liriope (Liriope spp.) Liriope, commonly called lilyturf, is a grass-like groundcover that adds texture and interest to landscapes. Its dense, tufted foliage helps prevent soil erosion, making it suitable for slopes and borders. Liriope produces spikes of small, bell-shaped flowers in shades of purple or white, creating a visually appealing display.

Thyme (Thymus spp.) Thyme is a fragrant herb that also serves as an effective groundcover. Its low-growing, spreading habit forms a carpet of aromatic foliage that stabilizes soil and prevents erosion. Thyme is drought-tolerant and comes in various cultivars with different leaf colors and flower shapes, making it a versatile choice for erosion control.

Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrical 'Red Baron') Japanese blood grass is a striking ornamental groundcover known for its red-tipped foliage that resembles flames. While its primary use is for visual interest, this grass also offers some erosion control benefits. Its clumping growth habit and deep-rooted nature help anchor the soil, particularly in ornamental beds and borders.

Groundcovers are an eco-friendly and visually appealing solution to combat erosion and enhance landscapes

These ten groundcover ideas, ranging from evergreens to flowering varieties, offer diverse options for different soil types, light conditions, and aesthetic preferences.

One of the primary functions of groundcovers is erosion control. It preserves the landscape's integrity and prevents sedimentation in nearby water bodies, safeguarding water quality. In landscaping and gardening, groundcovers act as a living mulch, covering the soil and providing a protective layer that reduces moisture evaporation. It is particularly beneficial in arid or drought-prone regions where water conservation is crucial.

By shading the ground, groundcovers help maintain a more stable soil temperature, promoting beneficial microorganisms' activity and root growth of other nearby plants. Moreover, groundcovers contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem health. They create a microhabitat for various insects, spiders, and small animals. These organisms are vital in pollination, pest control, and nutrient cycling.

Additionally, groundcovers serve as food and shelter for certain wildlife species, further enhancing the overall ecological balance of an area. Groundcovers have proven to be excellent air and noise filters in urban areas. Their foliage captures airborne pollutants and particulate matter, thereby improving air quality. The intricate root systems of groundcovers also absorb and dissipate sound waves, making them an eco-friendly solution for reducing noise pollution in densely populated regions.

Landscapers and gardeners often utilize groundcovers as design elements to create visually appealing and dynamic landscapes. Whether used as a border, under trees, or between stepping stones, groundcovers add depth and visual interest to outdoor spaces while requiring minimal maintenance.

From a horticultural perspective, groundcovers are known for their versatility and hardiness

Many species are well-suited to various soil types and climatic conditions, making them adaptable to different environments worldwide. This adaptability makes groundcovers an excellent choice for revegetation projects, where restoring native vegetation is essential for ecosystem rehabilitation.

However, like any plant selection, choosing a suitable ground cover requires careful consideration of the local conditions and intended purpose. Factors such as light exposure, soil type, water availability, and maintenance requirements should be considered to ensure these plants' optimal performance. In conclusion, groundcovers are much more than low-growing plants used for ornamental purposes. They are crucial in environmental conservation, sustainable landscaping, and biodiversity enhancement.

Groundcovers are essential to modern landscaping practices with their erosion-controlling properties, water-saving benefits, and positive ecosystem impacts. Whether in urban or rural settings, these unassuming plants quietly contribute to the health and resilience of our outdoor spaces while providing us with a beautiful tapestry of colors and textures to enjoy.

 

Products from the article

Creeping Phlox - TN Nursery

Creeping Phlox

The Creeping Phlox is a low-growing perennial plant with small, vibrant pink flowers that form a dense carpet-like display in spring. It forms a beautiful, lush pink carpet array of blooms and is an excellent spreading groundcover plant that will control weeds and overgrowth near hillsides and banks you can not maintain. Due to its numerous benefits and aesthetic appeal, it is a popular and versatile plant used in landscaping.  The creeping phlox is a solid option for those who want to add gorgeous color to their yard. This plant, also known as the mountain type, moss type, and moss pink, is native to the central and eastern United States, and its beauty makes it a popular option for gardens around the globe. What are the benefits of adding this vibrant plant to your yard or garden? Creeping Phlox Has Brilliant Colors Creeping Phlox's flowers are stunning, with colors ranging from pale blue, white, and pink to bright violet. Each flower has five hardy petals, but some have six petals. The plants bloom through the spring and summer, providing lasting color for approximately one month. As an evergreen perennial, the plant remains green throughout the year. It can brighten up an otherwise dull, dreary yard in the peak of the cold weather season. Creeping Phlox Is A Filler Plant This plant grows five inches tall and up to 13 inches in diameter. In addition to the expanse of a single plant, the plant proliferates. Many use its beauty as an alternative to grass or a filler in their more extensive gardens. Because of its short height, it does not need to be cut back like grass and other ground cover. Weeds increase and can make your yard look poorly maintained in a matter of weeks. The plant is dense with tightly clustered leaves. When in bloom, the flowers blanket the tops of the plants. Because of its unique traits, the plant prevents or minimizes weed growth. As a result, your gardens can continue to look fabulous without needing to devote hours of your valuable time to pulling weeds regularly. Creeping Phlox Helps With Soil Erosion Prevention  Grass generally only thrives on ledges and steep banks, making your grounds look barren and subject to erosion. The creeping phlox, however, thrives in these areas. Its presence can dramatically reduce the damaging effects of erosion while enhancing aesthetics. It is well-suited for providing immediate and long-term benefits to your property.
From $16.99
From $16.99
Vinca Minor - TN Nursery

Vinca Minor

The Vinca Minor has lush and evergreen foliage and delicate blue or white flowers, making it a popular choice for various outdoor spaces. While its benefits extend beyond its use in herbalism, let's explore its landscaping advantages. Vinca Minor, also called creeping myrtle, lesser periwinkle, or just myrtle, is a perennial beauty that instills a fetching charm in gardens, landscapes, and even potted plants. Vinca Minor Has Deep Emerald Green Foliage The leaves are a deep shade of rich emerald green, and most have a glossy, polished, or shiny appearance. They are typically oval-shaped with smooth edges, a thick texture, and prominent veins. Some species are varied. The plants can be erect or trailing. Leaves occur in pairs along the height of the stem, making the plant look lush and thick. The plant is graced with trailing stems and adorned with clusters of small blooms in white or in a pale, pastel purple-blue color that many people associate with serenity. This plant is active year-round. Delicate little flowers appear early in spring and continue to bloom throughout spring and summer. Against a strikingly verdant backdrop provided by the rich green leaves, the clusters of blossoms are displayed to the best advantage. Creeping myrtles may look delicate. Nevertheless, they are hardy plants that tolerate harsh conditions gracefully. As perennial evergreen plants, they remain bright green throughout the winter. The Ground Cover Characteristics Of Vinca Minor This plant reaches only six inches when upright. However, the roots continue to grow underground every year, eventually becoming quite long. Although this plant has a medium growth rate, the roots can form a trailing mat, prostrate mat, or mounding mat. The stems like to get tangled up with each other, and as they do, they produce a thick mat of greenery that thrives all year. Vinca Minor Looks Great In Hanging Baskets Vinca Minor works well as trailers in large hanging baskets and tall pots. They provide superior coverage for hilly areas and can even be used in landscaping designs where you want subtle pops of color added to your existing ground-cover greenery. They have other uses as well. They have long been used in folk medicine to treat heart, nervous system, and GI tract conditions. The herb is thought to improve cognition and brain health.
From $9.99
From $9.99
Ajuga Reptans - TN Nursery

Ajuga Reptans

Ajuga Reptans is an evergreen flowering perennial groundcover that offers greenery year-round. The plant has shoots of purple blooms in early Spring, making it versatile and perfect for maintaining beauty in small areas. Ajuga Reptans Has Many Names They are known as bugle, common bugle, carpenter’s herb, bugle herb, Bugleweed, carpetweed, and St. Lawrence plant; this is a hardy member of the mint family. In this planting season, look for ways to transform empty and bare ground space into lush foliage. While there are plenty of options to choose from when establishing a lawn, only a few work well in partially shady gardens. If you are also struggling to grow plants and grass in your calm, shady areas, Ajuga Reptans is the answer you are looking for. Ajuga Reptans Is A Wonderful Groundcover Also known as Bugleweed, these Ajuga Reptans create a stunning deep green ground cover with blue-tone spikes of lovely flowers. Whether you are: A new gardener or an experienced one. Working with this flowering plant is a breeze as it proliferates. Fill in all the unsightly and empty areas in your garden. However, when planting Bugleweed, you want to consider growing conditions for it to thrive and form a dense carpet of flowers. Plant it in damp but not wet dirt in a partially shaded area during Spring or autumn. These flowers do not grow in dry, damp, and sunny gardens. With ideal growing conditions, this flowering plant will grow into a thick, lush ground cover, enhancing the overall appeal of your outdoor space. Features of Ajuga Reptans Here are a few distinctive features that make Bugleweed a must-have addition to your garden: Year-Round Foliage: Bugleweed stays vibrant green throughout the year and can thrive in all types of growing zones. Low-Maintenance: Once established, this flowering plant is easy to maintain and perfect for new and busy gardeners. Pollinators: The beautiful spikey flowers that bloom in sprint attract different pollinators, which help support the local ecosystem and promote biodiversity. Deer-Resistant: Ajuga Reptans is excellent deer-resistant and helps keep deer out of your property. With all these features and benefits in mind, adding Ajuga Reptans to your landscaping is the only right choice. So, check out Ajuga plants for sale at TN Nursery.
From $9.99
From $9.99
Creeping Phlox - TN Nursery

Creeping Phlox

The Creeping Phlox is a low-growing perennial plant with small, vibrant pink flowers that form a dense carpet-like display in spring. It forms a beautiful, lush pink carpet array of blooms and is an excellent spreading groundcover plant that will control weeds and overgrowth near hillsides and banks you can not maintain. Due to its numerous benefits and aesthetic appeal, it is a popular and versatile plant used in landscaping.  The creeping phlox is a solid option for those who want to add gorgeous color to their yard. This plant, also known as the mountain type, moss type, and moss pink, is native to the central and eastern United States, and its beauty makes it a popular option for gardens around the globe. What are the benefits of adding this vibrant plant to your yard or garden? Creeping Phlox Has Brilliant Colors Creeping Phlox's flowers are stunning, with colors ranging from pale blue, white, and pink to bright violet. Each flower has five hardy petals, but some have six petals. The plants bloom through the spring and summer, providing lasting color for approximately one month. As an evergreen perennial, the plant remains green throughout the year. It can brighten up an otherwise dull, dreary yard in the peak of the cold weather season. Creeping Phlox Is A Filler Plant This plant grows five inches tall and up to 13 inches in diameter. In addition to the expanse of a single plant, the plant proliferates. Many use its beauty as an alternative to grass or a filler in their more extensive gardens. Because of its short height, it does not need to be cut back like grass and other ground cover. Weeds increase and can make your yard look poorly maintained in a matter of weeks. The plant is dense with tightly clustered leaves. When in bloom, the flowers blanket the tops of the plants. Because of its unique traits, the plant prevents or minimizes weed growth. As a result, your gardens can continue to look fabulous without needing to devote hours of your valuable time to pulling weeds regularly. Creeping Phlox Helps With Soil Erosion Prevention  Grass generally only thrives on ledges and steep banks, making your grounds look barren and subject to erosion. The creeping phlox, however, thrives in these areas. Its presence can dramatically reduce the damaging effects of erosion while enhancing aesthetics. It is well-suited for providing immediate and long-term benefits to your property.
From $16.99
From $16.99
Vinca Minor - TN Nursery

Vinca Minor

The Vinca Minor has lush and evergreen foliage and delicate blue or white flowers, making it a popular choice for various outdoor spaces. While its benefits extend beyond its use in herbalism, let's explore its landscaping advantages. Vinca Minor, also called creeping myrtle, lesser periwinkle, or just myrtle, is a perennial beauty that instills a fetching charm in gardens, landscapes, and even potted plants. Vinca Minor Has Deep Emerald Green Foliage The leaves are a deep shade of rich emerald green, and most have a glossy, polished, or shiny appearance. They are typically oval-shaped with smooth edges, a thick texture, and prominent veins. Some species are varied. The plants can be erect or trailing. Leaves occur in pairs along the height of the stem, making the plant look lush and thick. The plant is graced with trailing stems and adorned with clusters of small blooms in white or in a pale, pastel purple-blue color that many people associate with serenity. This plant is active year-round. Delicate little flowers appear early in spring and continue to bloom throughout spring and summer. Against a strikingly verdant backdrop provided by the rich green leaves, the clusters of blossoms are displayed to the best advantage. Creeping myrtles may look delicate. Nevertheless, they are hardy plants that tolerate harsh conditions gracefully. As perennial evergreen plants, they remain bright green throughout the winter. The Ground Cover Characteristics Of Vinca Minor This plant reaches only six inches when upright. However, the roots continue to grow underground every year, eventually becoming quite long. Although this plant has a medium growth rate, the roots can form a trailing mat, prostrate mat, or mounding mat. The stems like to get tangled up with each other, and as they do, they produce a thick mat of greenery that thrives all year. Vinca Minor Looks Great In Hanging Baskets Vinca Minor works well as trailers in large hanging baskets and tall pots. They provide superior coverage for hilly areas and can even be used in landscaping designs where you want subtle pops of color added to your existing ground-cover greenery. They have other uses as well. They have long been used in folk medicine to treat heart, nervous system, and GI tract conditions. The herb is thought to improve cognition and brain health.
From $9.99
From $9.99
Ajuga Reptans - TN Nursery

Ajuga Reptans

Ajuga Reptans is an evergreen flowering perennial groundcover that offers greenery year-round. The plant has shoots of purple blooms in early Spring, making it versatile and perfect for maintaining beauty in small areas. Ajuga Reptans Has Many Names They are known as bugle, common bugle, carpenter’s herb, bugle herb, Bugleweed, carpetweed, and St. Lawrence plant; this is a hardy member of the mint family. In this planting season, look for ways to transform empty and bare ground space into lush foliage. While there are plenty of options to choose from when establishing a lawn, only a few work well in partially shady gardens. If you are also struggling to grow plants and grass in your calm, shady areas, Ajuga Reptans is the answer you are looking for. Ajuga Reptans Is A Wonderful Groundcover Also known as Bugleweed, these Ajuga Reptans create a stunning deep green ground cover with blue-tone spikes of lovely flowers. Whether you are: A new gardener or an experienced one. Working with this flowering plant is a breeze as it proliferates. Fill in all the unsightly and empty areas in your garden. However, when planting Bugleweed, you want to consider growing conditions for it to thrive and form a dense carpet of flowers. Plant it in damp but not wet dirt in a partially shaded area during Spring or autumn. These flowers do not grow in dry, damp, and sunny gardens. With ideal growing conditions, this flowering plant will grow into a thick, lush ground cover, enhancing the overall appeal of your outdoor space. Features of Ajuga Reptans Here are a few distinctive features that make Bugleweed a must-have addition to your garden: Year-Round Foliage: Bugleweed stays vibrant green throughout the year and can thrive in all types of growing zones. Low-Maintenance: Once established, this flowering plant is easy to maintain and perfect for new and busy gardeners. Pollinators: The beautiful spikey flowers that bloom in sprint attract different pollinators, which help support the local ecosystem and promote biodiversity. Deer-Resistant: Ajuga Reptans is excellent deer-resistant and helps keep deer out of your property. With all these features and benefits in mind, adding Ajuga Reptans to your landscaping is the only right choice. So, check out Ajuga plants for sale at TN Nursery.
From $9.99
From $9.99
Shop Now

Related posts

chevron_left chevron_right