Low growing flowering perennials can add a range of benefits to a meadow garden from aesthetic appeal and biodiversity to soil stabilization and weed suppression. Both flowers and foliage enhance…
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…
Native to southern Italy, this short-lived perennial is a member of the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, that also includes pinks, baby’s breath, and chickweed. The spreading plants form mats of densely…
Also called cat’s foot and mountain everlasting, this semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial is native to western and north-central US where it grows in many different habitats. It is a member of…
This low growing, spreading evergreen shrub is a cultivar of a plant native to the Mediterranean and a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that also includes beebalm, basal, and…
A native of coastal meadows, bluffs, and dunes in the Northwest from Alaska to California, beach strawberry is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes cherries, lady’s…
Rose verbena is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that also includes teak and lantana. It is native to open clearings, meadows, fields, glades, waste…
Also called devil’s-tongue and Indian fig, this perennial cactus is native to eastern US from coastal Connecticut to the Florida Keys west to the lower Great Lakes, to the dry…
Also called purple vetch, this herbaceous perennial vine is native to Europe, southwest Asia, and northern Africa but was introduced into the US for soil improvement and erosion control in…
In her book Groundcover Revolution, author Kathy Jentz explores the option of replacing the traditional grass lawn with sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives. She begins by pointing out the problems with grass…
Karen Meyers 
Karen