Low growing perennials in a meadow garden add color and textures as well as the opportunity to extend the bloom time. Also considered groundcovers, these plants will grow in the shade of the mid-sized and tall plants in the meadow and many begin blooming in the spring. In addition to their aesthetic appeal in a the meadow garden they suppress weeds and help to retain moisture. The plants in the list vary in their hardiness and moisture needs as indicated.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) Grown for foliage

Native Range: Great Plains to Atlantic Coast, south to the fall line

Height: 9″

Width: 14″

Bloom Time: Spring

Bloom Color: Purplish brown (inconspicuous)

Moisture Requirements: Consistently moist soil; poor drought tolerance

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8

Photo Credit: Wasp2, Wikimedia Commons

Green and Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum)

Native Range: Pennsylvania to Florida and Lousiana

Height: 9″

Width: 12″

Bloom Time: Mid spring to fall

Bloom Color: Yellow

Moisture Requirements: Medium moist, well-drained

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9

Photo Credit: Derek Ramsey, Wikimedia Commons

Large-leaf Aster (Eurybia macrophylla)

Native Range: Eastern and Central US

Height: 36″

Width: 36″

Bloom Time: Fall

Bloom Color: Violet or blue with yellow center

Moisture Requirements: Dry to moist, well drained soil

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Foamflower (Tiarella cordifoliae)

Native Range: Eastern US

Height: 9″

Width: 18″

Bloom Time: Spring

Bloom Color: White to pink

Moisture Requirements: Moist, well-drained

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Photo Credit: Wasits, Wikimedia Commons