UACES Facebook Groundcovers of Arkansas by Scientific Name
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Groundcovers by Scientific Name

Scientific Name Common Name Comments 
Ajuga reptans
Thumbnail picture of Ajuga (Ajuga reptans) purple flower spikes Select for larger images and more information.Partial sun icon - half yellow half black sun.Shade icon - black sun.		 Ajuga: Bugleweed
  • Size: low (foliage 2"); floral spikes 6 to 8" tall)
  • Culture: partial sun to shade; requires constant moisture in Arkansas
Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus'
Thumbnail picture of Wintercreeper Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus') groundcover form in maroon winter color Select for larger images and more information.Full sun icon - yellow sun.Partial sun icon - half yellow half black sun.		  Wintercreeper Euonymus
  • Size: 12 to 15" tall
  • Culture: sun to partial sun; fairly tolerant of soils
  • Deep maroon winter leaf color (broadleaf evergreen)
Hedera helix
Thumbnail picture closeup of English Ivy (Hedera helix) leaves Select for larger images and more information.Full sun icon - yellow sun.Partial sun icon - half yellow half black sun.		 English Ivy
  • Size: groundcover 8 to 10" tall; broadleaf evergreen vine or ground cover
  • Culture: sun or shade; fairly tough
  • Adult plant has flowers and fruit
  • Climbs by root-like holdfasts
  • Many cultivars
  • Considered invasive weed in some parts of U.S.
Liriope muscari
Thumbnail picture of Liriope (Liriope muscari) flower spikes with purple flowers Select for larger images and more information.Full sun icon - yellow sun.Partial sun icon - half yellow half black sun.		 Liriope
  • Size: 12' tall; some cultivars shorter or taller
  • Exposure: sun to shade; tough groundcover
  • Flower spikes purple or white
  • Cultivars: 'Big Blue', 'Majestic', 'Variegata'
Ophiopogon japonicus
Thumbnail picture of Mondograss (Ophiopogon japonicus) groundcover form in garden border. Select for larger images and more information.Partial sun icon - half yellow half black sun.Shade icon - black sun.		 Mondograss
  • Size: 6 to 8" tall (shorter than Liriope [Liriope muscari] )
  • Exposure: partial sun to shade; requires more moisture than Liriope
  • Narrow leaves usually a dark green
  • Slightly less hardy than Liriope
  • Flowers usually hidden in foliage
Pachysandra terminalis
Thumbnail picture of Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) groundcover form Select for larger images and more information.Shade icon - black sun.		 Pachysandra 
  • Size: 8 to 10" tall
  • Culture: shade; requires constant moisture in Arkansas
  • White flowers not significant
Trachelospermum asiaticum
Thumbnail picture of Japanese Star Jasmine (Trachelosphermum asiaticum) groundcover form Select for larger images and more information.Full sun icon - yellow sun.Partial sun icon - half yellow half black sun.		 Japanese Star Jasmine
  • Size: 12" tall
  • Culture: sun to partial sun; tolerant of most soils
  • Best in cold hardiness zones 7 and 8
  • Broadleaf evergreen groundcover, leaves very glossy, dark green
 Vinca Major
Thumbnail picture closeup of Bigleaf Vinca (Vinca major) leaves and lavender flowers Select for larger images and more information.Partial sun icon - half yellow half black sun.Shade icon - black sun.		 Bigleaf Vinca
  • Size: 12" tall
  • Culture: shade to partial sun
  • Misc: variegated selections more common than green leaf forms.
Vinca minor
Thumbnail picture closeup of Vinca (Vinca minor) purple flowers and leaves Select for larger images and more information.Partial sun icon - half yellow half black sun.Shade icon - black sun.		 Vinca
  • Size: 8" tall
  • Culture: partial sun to shade; not as tough as Bigleaf Vinca (V. major).
  • 1" flowers, blue/purple or white
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