Groundcovers & Low-Growing Plants

Common NameScientific NameTypeHabitatNotes
Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides Fern Forest understory Evergreen; clumping
Green-and-Gold Chrysogonum virginianum Perennial Woodland edges Semi-evergreen spreader
Wild Strawberry Fragaria virginiana Perennial Open edges, meadows Edible fruit
Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia Perennial Rich moist forest White spring spikes
Golden Ragwort Packera aurea Perennial Wet to mesic forest Semi-evergreen; yellow flowers
Wild Ginger Asarum canadense Perennial Rich forests Heart-shaped velvety leaves
Partridge Berry Mitchella repens Perennial Acidic forest floor Evergreen; red berries
Moss Phlox Phlox subulata Perennial Dry sunny banks Mat-forming; spring color
Woodland Phlox Phlox divaricata Perennial Rich moist woods Lavender-blue spring flowers
Alumroot Heuchera americana Perennial Rocky/shaded slopes Evergreen rosettes
Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium Perennial Moist meadows Miniature iris family
Wintergreen / Teaberry Gaultheria procumbens Subshrub Acidic pine-oak woods Evergreen; aromatic
Allegheny Spurge Pachysandra procumbens Perennial Rich forests Native pachysandra; semi-evergreen
Eastern Prickly-pear Opuntia humifusa Cactus Sandy dry soils Yes, a native cactus
Maryland Meadow Beauty Rhexia mariana Perennial Wet sandy soils Pink 4-petal flowers
Virginia Meadow Beauty Rhexia virginica Perennial Wet acidic meadows Magenta flowers
Lyre-leaf Sage Salvia lyrata Perennial Open woods, lawns Drought-tolerant spreader
Trailing Arbutus Epigaea repens Subshrub Acidic forest banks Evergreen; fragrant; hard to find