This diverse group of plants can take the heat and sun while filling in your most troublesome areas
I think it is middling to say that when most of us imagine of earth covers , we suppose humiliated , mounding , and diffuse plants . Although that image is exact , it is n’t always so . solid ground covers can be a bit more originative and dimensional , especially in the Southwest . Here are a few of my preferent ground covers for our part .
Lake King eremophila
Eremophila subteretifolia , Zones 9–11
Lake King eremophila , also known as Lake King emu bush , is a turn unlike from many other eremophilas . This low - get , creeping shrub maxes out at a height of 4 to 10 inches . It has unequalled yellowish or carmine - orange flowers that look just like trivial squids . I love them ! The blooms are surrounded by unique , awkward , evergreen foliage . This shrub is quite tolerant of warmth and drought . I love its unexpected grain , and the pop of color is always appreciated .
Golden barrel cactus
Echinocactus grusonii , zone 9–12
Golden barrel cactus is not the most obvious choice for a earth covering fire , but it expect dead stunning in groups and clusters . This cactus is passing drought large-minded and requires little to no maintenance . It can grow up to 2 feet tall and wide . When grouped together to create a carpeting of drum , it can have an enormous effect on the overall look and design of a garden . It can also be fun to sprinkle in some wild flower germ between the barrel to add even more reportage and interestingness in the bounce .
Variegated baby sun rose
Aptenia cordifolia‘Variegata ’ , Zones 10–11
Variegated baby sun rose — also known as heart-leaf ice plant life or variegate hearts and flowers — is a fun succulent that may be less usual than other earth covers . This is a fantastic broadcaster that speedily pass on 6 inches tall and 2 feet wide . Although it is an extremely tender plant , it does well for me in Zone 9 . But as we all bed , not all spaces within each zone are create equally . These piss - fresh trailing succulent create a thick display of heart - form leaves . The beautiful green - and - lily-white leaves become even more irresistible when the daisylike pinkish or purple blooms arrive in the spring and summer .
Pink ice plant
Oscularia deltoides , Zones 8–11
It ’s hard not to be drawn to the array of ice plants that do such an awesome job in our full sun garden . Pink ice plant — also known as frosting crumbles , musculus deltoideus - get out dewplant , dassievygie , or sandsteenvygie — is textural and impulsive . The triangular , drab - green leaves create what look like little mouths with tooth . The dark pink stems turn about 12 inches high and can spread 2 to 3 feet all-encompassing , which make them a great plus where a earth natural covering is demand .
earth covers can be simple ; they do n’t have to want a lot of sustainment or piddle . you could cull plants that are mound , spreading , or individual plants depending on your visual sense . There are a variety of plants to suit your needs . Get creative and recall outside of the box . You ’ll be glad you did !
— Laurel Startzel is an interior clothes designer and container garden couturier . She is a former co - owner of Denver Dirty Girls , a container gardening job , and lives in Tucson , Arizona .
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Golden barrel cacti can spread over time to create a tight-knit community.Photo: Laurel Startzel
Lake King eremophila is a creeping shrub that grows nearly a foot tall and blooms with an explosion of miniature, salmon-colored flowers.Photo: Laurel Startzel
Golden barrel cacti are sold as single plants in nursery pots. Plant a few near each other and watch them form a colony.Photo: Laurel Startzel
Variegated baby sun rose forms a mat of domed mounds with minty and lime green foliage.Photo: Laurel Startzel
When not in bloom, pink ice plant is still quite a looker with its intricate, textured foliage.Photo: Laurel Startzel
