|
Common
Name
|
Scientific
Name
|
Hardiness
Zone
|
Groupb
|
Growth
Ratec
|
Exposure
|
Form
|
Texture
|
Landscape
Remarks
|
| Ardisia, Chirimen | Ardisia japonica 'Chirimen' | 7b, 8 | E | Moderate | Shade | Mat spreader | Medium | 'Chirimen' is a JC Raulston Arboretum Selection; nonaggressive spreader; pink and white flowers in spring; red berries in winter; height 2 to 6". |
| Ajuga | Ajuga reptans | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Partial shade to shade | Compact, dense mat | Medium to coarse | Excellent for moist areas; blue-violet flowers in spring; recommended cultivars include: Bronze Beauty, Burgundy Glow, Rubra. |
| Azalea, Dwarf Indica (Gumpo) | Rhododendron eriocarpum | 6, 7, 8 | E | Slow to moderate | Partial shade | Fine | Rounded | Height 1 to 2'; late flowering; white or pink flowers. |
| Bishops weed, Variegated | Aegopodium podograria 'Variegatum' | 6, 7, 8 | D | Rapid | Partial shade to shade | Spreading | Medium | Green and white foliage; 8 to 10" height; white flowers in late spring-early summer; can become invasive. |
| Candytuft, Evergreen | Iberis sempervirens | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Mounds | Fine | White flowers March-May; good for accent areas. |
| Carex | Carex spp. | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Partial shade to shade | Most cultivars form clumps; a few spread | Fine | Prefers moist soil; height 6 to 18"; yellow or white variegated narrow leaves. |
| Cast iron plant | Aspidistra elatior | 7, 8 | E | Slow | Shade | Upright clumps | Coarse | Good specimen planting for dense shade. |
| Cotoneaster, Bearberry | Cotoneaster dammeri | 6, 7, 8 | E | Slow | Sun to partial shade | Prostrate | Fine | Effective in rock gardens and low banks. |
| Cotoneaster, Rockspray | Cotoneaster horizontalis | 6, 7, 8 | Semi-E | Slow | Sun to partial shade | Spreading branches | Fine | Handsome foliage and fruits; used in rock gardens. |
| Cotoneaster, Willowleaf | Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Repens' | 6, 7, 8 | E to semi-E | Moderate | Sun | Spreading | Fine | Foliage becomes purplish-red in winter; cultivars: 'Scarlet Leader' (2 to 3' tall and 6 to 8' wide), 'Gnom' (8 to 12" tall), 'Autumn Fire' (2 to 3' tall), 'Emerald Carpet' is more dense. |
| Cypress, Siberian carpet grass; Russian arborvitae | Microbiota decussata | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun to partial shade | Arching branches; flat topped | Fine | Tolerates dry soil; height 1 to 2'; foliage turns bronze in winter when grown in sun. |
| Daylily | Hemerocallis hybrida | 6, 7, 8 | D | Rapid | Sun | Herbaceous perennial | Medium to coarse | Excellent for banks and slopes. |
| Epimedium | Epimedium spp. | 6, 7, 8 | D | Varies with spp. | Partial shade | Herbaceous perennial | Medium | Height 8 to 10"; pink, red, or white flowers in May and June. |
| Euonymus, Wintercreeper | Euonymus fortunei | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun to shade | Vinelike | Medium | Excellent ground cover; recommended cultivars: Silver Queen (24"), Kewensis (2"), Colorata (18"). |
| Fescue, Blue | Festuca ovina glauca | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate to rapid | Sun to partial shade | Singular dense clumps | Fine | Blue-green color. |
| Foamflower | Tiarella cordifolia | 6, 7, 8 | D | Moderate | Partial shade to shade | Compact | Medium | White flowers in mid-spring; prefers a moist site with high organic matter. |
| Genista; Broom | Genista tinctoria, G. pilosa, G. sagittalis | 6, 7, 8 | D | Slow | Sun | Low shrub | Medium to fine | Yellow flowers in June; will tolerate poor, dry soil; height .5 to 2' (varies with cultivar). |
| Gardenia | Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans' | 7b, 8 | E | Rapid to moderate | Sun to partial shade | Horizontal branching; open; spreading | Medium to fine | White flowers in May-June; height 1 to 2'; spread 2 to 3'; not cold hardy in most of the state. |
| Geranium, Cranesbill | Geranium sanguineum | 6, 7, 8 | D | Moderate | Partial shade to shade | Herbacious perennial | Medium | Height 12 to 18"; reddish-purple to pale pink flowers. |
| Germander | Teucrium chamaedrys | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun to partial shade | Spreading mounds | Medium to fine | Red-rose flowers in summer; height rarely exceeds 10". |
| Ginger, Wild | Asarum spp. | 6, 7 | E | Slow | Partial shade to shade | Low clump | Medium | Unusual flowers; thrives in moist wooded sites. |
| Grass, Japanese blood | Imperarata cylindrica ruba | 6, 7, 8 | D | Moderate | Sun to light shade | Upright clumps; open habit | Fine | Perennial; height 12"; leaves deep red, green at base; Red Baron is best cultivar. |
| Grass, Fountain | Pennisetum alopecuroides | 6, 7, 8 | D | Moderate | Sun | Slender stem | Fine | Height 24 to 36"; bright green leaves; silver flower cluster. |
| Grass, Ribbon | Phalaris arundarinacea | 6, 7, 8 | D | Rapid | Sun to partial shade | Upright | Fine | Herbaceous perennial; green and white leaves; moisture tolerant; can be invasive. |
| Gold-moss; Stonecrop | Sedum acre | 6, 7, 8 | D | Moderate to rapid | Sun to partial shade | Low; thick stems | Medium to fine | Excellent for rock gardens; will not tolerate foot traffic; many other species available. |
| Green and gold | Chrysogonum virginianum | 6, 7, 8 | Semi-E | Moderate to rapid | Sun to partial shade | Herbaceous perennial | Medium | Height 6 to 9"; yellow flowers in spring, sporadically in summer; needs well-drained soil. |
| Honeysuckle, Trumpet | Lonicera sempervirens | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Sun to partial shade | Twining vine | Medium | Excellent for natural, low-maintenance areas. |
| Hosta | Hosta spp. | 6, 7, 8 | D | Rapid | Partail shade to shade | Clumps | Coarse | Useful as border plant. |
| Ivy, Algerian | Hedera canariensis | 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Partial shade to shade | Climbing vine | Coarse | Wider leaf than English ivy. |
| Ivy, Colchis | Hedera colchica | 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Partial shade to shade | Climbing vine | Coarse | Heart-shaped leaves. |
| Ivy, English | Hedera helix | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Partial shade to shade | Climbing vine | Medium to coarse | Excellent ground cover, but aggressive once established. |
| Jasmine, Asiatic | Trachelospermum asiaticum | 7b, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun to partial shade | Spreading vine | Fine | Can be damaged by cold in severe winters. |
| Jasmine, Carolina | Gelsemium sempervirens | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun to shade | Twining vine | Fine | Yellow flowers in spring; best in full sun; once established grows rapidly. |
| Juniper, Andorra | Juniperous horizontalis 'Andorra' | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate to rapid | Sun | Ascending branches | Fine | Light green foliage; tinged purple in winter; height 18". |
| Juniper, Bar Harbor | Juniperous horizontalis 'Bar Harbor' | 6, 7, 8 | E | Slow | Sun | Flat branching | Fine | Gray-green foliage; not too dense; feathery; winter color is silvery plum; height 8 to 12". |
| Juniper, Blue Chip | Juniperous horizontalis 'Blue Chip' | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Low; mounding | Fine | Silver-blue foliage; height 8"; spreads 2'. |
| Juniper, Blue Pacific | Juniperous conferta 'Blue Pacific' | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Sun | Low; spreading | Fine | Does not like wet feet; blue-green color; spreads to 10'; height 10". |
| Juniper, Blue Rug | Juniperous horizontalis 'Blue Rug' | 6, 7, 8 | E | Slow to moderate | Sun | Trailing; creeping | Fine | Lowest and possibly slowest juniper; dense silver-blue foliage; height 4 to 6". |
| Juniper, Japanese | Juniperous procumbens | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Low, prostrate; branches ascending | Fine | Height 18 to 30"; blue-green foliage; remains green in winter; Nana is a dwarf cultivar: height 18". |
| Juniper, Parson's | Juniperous chinensis 'Parsonii' | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Upright | Fine | Height 2 to 3'. |
| Juniper, Plumosa Compacta | Juniperous horizontalis 'Plumosa Compacta' | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Spreading; upright | Fine | Blue-green foliage that turns purple in winter; height 1 to 2'. |
| Juniper, San Jose | Juniperous chinensis 'San Jose' | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Spreading; upward-reaching branches | Fine | Height 12"; spreads 6'; sage green color. |
| Juniper, Shore | Juniperus conferta | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Sun to partial shade | Spreading; very dense | Fine | Creates dense mat when planted too close; plant 6' on center; height 18'; not the best juniper. |
| Juniper, Sargent | Juniperus chinensis 'Sargentii' | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Low; spreading | Fine | Procumbent stems; withstands heat and salt; height 18"; spreads 8 to 10'. |
| Lamb's ear | Stachys byzantina | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Low; spreading | Fine to medium | 'Silver Carpet' does not flower but forms a dense mat. |
| Lamium; Dead nettle | Lamium spp. | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Partial shade to shade | Low; spreading to upright | Medium | Fast growing; variegated foliage; height 6 to 12 "; cultivars: Variegatum, White Nancy, Herman's Pride, Beacon Silver, Album, Shell Pink. |
| Laurentia | Laurentia fluviatilis | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Partial shade | Low; spreading | Fine | Tiny green leaves; blue flowers in spring; prefers a moist site. |
| Lavender cotton | Santolina chamaecyparissus | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Low-spreading mounds | Fine | Aromatic, silver foliage; good in small areas; needs excellent drainage. |
| Lenten rose | Helleborus orientalis | 6, 7 | E | Slow | Shade | Erect clumps | Coarse | Winter flowers; strong texture. |
| Liriope | Liriope muscaria | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate to rapid | Partial shade to shade | Grasslike clumps | Medium | Varigated cultivar is very popular. |
| Liriope, Creeping | Liriope spicata | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Partial shade to shade | Grasslike, spreading clumps | Fine | Very tolerant of adverse conditions; can be invasive. |
| Mahonia, Creeping | Mahonia repens | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun to shade | Stiff branches | Coarse | Spreads by underground stems; yellow flowers; height 10". |
| Mondo grass | Ophiopogon japonicus | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Sun to shade | Grasslike clumps or mounds | Fine | Finer texture than liriope. |
| Mondo grass, Black | Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Arabicus' | 7, 8 | E | Slow | Partial shade to shade | Grasslike clumps | Fine | Height 6 to 10"; purple-black leaves; flowers pink or purple-black. |
| Mondo grass, Dwarf | Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' | 7, 8 | E | Slow | Sun to shade | Grasslike | Fine | Height 2 to 3". |
| Pachysandra | Pachysandra terminalis | 6, 7 | E | Slow to moderate | Partial shade to shade | Forms dense mat | Medium | Spreads by underground stolons. |
| Periwinkle | Vinca minor | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Partial shade to shade | Non-climbing dense mat | Medium | Excellent for large natural areas; flowers in spring. |
| Periwinkle, Big leaf | Vinca major | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Partial shade to shade | Dense mat | Medium | Upright and more open than Vinca minor; flowers in spring. |
| Phlox, Creeping | Phlox stolonifera | 6, 7, 8 | D | Rapid | Partial shade to shade | Low mat | Medium | White, pink, purple to violet flowers in spring summer; height 3". |
| Pinks; Dianthus | Dianthus plumarius | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Mat forming | Fine | Fragrant flowers in May-July. |
| Pussytoes | Antennaria spp. | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Sun to shade | Dense mat | Medium | Silver foliage 2" tall; flower stems to 10". |
| Rose, Petite Pink Scotch | Rosa x 'Petite Pink' | 6, 7, 8 | D | Rapid | Sun | Mounding | Fine | A JC Raulston Arboretum Selection; drought tolerant; light pink minature flowers in May; height 2 to 3'. |
| Rose, Memorial | Rosa wichuraiana | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Sun | Trailing vine | Medium | Height 1'; vigorous vine; white flowers; does not produce a solid cover. |
| Sandwort, Moss | Minuartia verna ssp. caespitosa | 6, 7 | Moderate | Sun to partial shade | Prostrate | Fine | White flowers in spring; height 3"; shallow roots (drought sensitive). | |
| Santolina, Green | Santolina virens | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Dense mounds | Fine | Aromatic, green foliage; useful in rock gardens, planters. |
| Sarcococca | Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Partial shade to shade | Loose; informal | Medium | Useful in groups as filler, background; height 12 to 24". |
| Sedum; Stonecrop | Sedum spp. | 6, 7, 8 | Semi-E, D | Slow | Sun to partial shade | Low-growing mat | Medium to fine | Height 3 to 18". |
| Snakebeard | Ophiopogon jaburan vittata | 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Sun to shade | Grasslike clumps | Medium | Height 8 to 12". |
| St. John's wort | Hypericum calycinum | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Sun to partial shade | Low-spreading | Medium | Excellent for extreme slopes or sandy soils; yellow flowers in spring and summer. |
| Strawberry | Fragaria ananassa | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Sun | Medium-dense clumps with runners | Medium | Very functional plant; flowers in spring followed by edible fruit. |
| Thrift, Common; | Sea pink Armeria martima | 6, 7, 8 | E | Slow | Sun | Tufts or clumps; rounded mat | Fine | Pink or white flowers on scapes in spring. |
| Thrift; Moss pink | Phlox subulata | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Dense, creeping carpet | Fine | Excellent for spring color; many cultivars. |
| Thyme, Creeping | Thymus serpyllum | 6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun | Low, dense mat | Fine | Purple flowers; rarely exceeds 3" in height; foliage has pleasant fragrance when crushed. |
| Verbena, Perennial | Verbena canadensis, V. tenera, V. hybrids | 6, 7, 8; varies with cultivar | D, Semi E | Varies | Sun | Low growing | Fine | Many cultivars; some cultivars flower spring to frost; height 4 to 12". |
| Veronica | Veronica peduncularis, V. officinalis |
6, 7, 8 | E | Moderate | Sun to partial shade | Low-growing mat | Fine | Height 4 to 12"; blue flowers; will grow in many soil types. |
| Yarrow, Wooly | Achillea tomentosa | 6, 7, 8 | E | Rapid | Sun | Low-growing mat | Fine | Can be invasive; yellow flowers; height 6 to 10". |