Favorite Groundcovers by Leigh Fulghum

I. Sun

Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis) - A Florida Native Plant

It's a mystery why so many beachfront condominiums plant acres of impatiens when they could be enjoying Beach Sunflowers. Given full sun and well-drained, sandy soil, Beach Sunflowers will never stop blooming, even in the extremes of summer.

They're one of the most economical of all full-sun groundcovers for covering large areas, best done from liners (rooted cuttings) which can be spaced on 3'-4' centers in a mulch bed. Don't expect a new bed of liners to look like much, but rest assured if the planting site is right, in a few weeks they'll start to take off, blooming soon thereafter.

No fertilizer is necessary and watering can be kept to a minimum, or once established, Beach Sunflowers will get along just fine on rainfall. To maintain Beach Sunflowers, clip them down with hand-held hedge trimmers 3 times a year or less.

Doves love the seed of the ever-blooming Beach Sunflower, and will appear at their favorite patch daily.

More Florida Ground Covers For Sun

Dwarf Crown of Thorns
Information and image from John J. Doyle, nursery-grower.
Dwarf Crown of Thorns is neat in appearance, low maintenance, salt tolerant, ever-blooming, and likes it hot and dry. Will rot it wet soil.

Mammey Croton
Information and image from John J. Doyle, nursery-grower.
Slow-growing 'Mammey' can be used as a bedding plant for a span of several years, kept 1'-2' high, where perennial color is needed.

II. Shade

Green Peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia)

Cultivated as a greenhouse or houseplant up north, in south Florida, green Peperomia can be used for a dark green shade cover which will rival the best northern bed of Pachysandra in texture and sheen.

Good drainage and shade are the essentials to a nice planting of green Peperomia, otherwise it tolerates low moisture conditions and is not a particular favorite of pests.

Peperomia tip cuttings root directly in soil though rate of coverage is moderate. If you're patient, it's possible to get a good bed going from "leggy" gallons planted on 3' centers in a mulch bed. Pinch back the trailers and use the cuttings to fill in between the gallons.

Other varieties of Peperomia obtusifolia are 'Variegata,' 'Watermelon,' and 'Sensation Variegata.' Use these to create a year-round shade planting that will lighten up too shadowy places in the landscape where the surrounding foliage tends to be mostly dark green.

More Florida Ground Covers For Shade

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Last update this page:4/1/99