HERBS FOR GROUND COVERS
For flowering ground covers the woolly yarrow is an ideal plant. For the most part it has a long blooming season. The finely textured foliage brings three seasons of beauty to the garden.
Chamomile is another flowering herb of interest. This plant is often used in flower mixes for non-traditional, blooming lawns.
Of the mints the one used most often as a ground cover is the Corsican mint.
Persian catmint is one gorgeous ground cover. Its gray-green wooly foliage is just delightful. As with most of the species in the mint family it produces masses of attractive flowers.
Don't let it come as a surprise, but shrubby herbs can be used as ground covers. Germander is ideal for ground cover projects. Technically it's a subshrub. The prostrate type is used as a carpeting ground cover, while the more upright ones are preferred for low hedges.
St. John's wort is another shrubby herb. These plants have very unique, two-sided flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. The attractive foliage is a garden asset throughout the growing season.
Of all the herbs thyme seems to be the most popular as a ground cover. Creeping thyme is often used between stepping stones.
For warmer climates prostrate rosemary makes a beautiful ground cover. 'Arp' seems to be the hardiest. Yet it isn't reliably hardy here in zone 5.
Most of the herbs I've mentioned thus far generally prefer sun. Sweet woodruff is often used as a ground cover for shady spots. I find it hard to believe that this lovely plant is related to the bedstraw, a pernicious weed that climbs up my shrubs and creates clutter in flowerbeds.
For complete descriptions of these plants and other practical information on choosing and using herbs as ground covers look for "Ground Covers" by Nan Sinton et al, part of the Taylor's Guides, published by Houghton Mifflin. This title along with all of the other Taylor's Guides have been completely revised and updated. It has a special section on avoiding ground covers that may be invasive exotics.
The number of herbs you'll need for a ground cover project is determined by the planting distance and your budget. Some can afford to buy gallon-size plants, while others will look for lower-priced ones.
If you need more information on specific planting techniques and details on planning the garden I recommend
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