When it comes to selecting groundcover plant for your garden , not all option are beneficial . Some plants may look appeal but can become invasive , disrupt your garden ’s ecosystem , or require excessive maintenance . To help you make informed choices , here are 14 groundcover flora you should void engraft in your garden .

English Ivy

English Ivy might seem charming as it rise up a wall , but it can quickly become a nuisance . This fast - develop works tends to choke out other flora , and its fast-growing nature makes it difficult to see . Often , homeowners find themselves in a constant conflict to keep it from overtaking their gardens . Its solution can damage structure , while the parting entertain gadfly . Keep in mind , it demand regular pruning to keep it in check , and even then , it may still spread beyond your intended orbit . It ’s advisable to look at choice that require less maintenance .

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Periwinkle is admired for its calendered leaves and vivacious flowers , yet it hides a more ominous side . Once establish , it forms dense MAT that smother other vegetation . This tenacious ground cover can dominate a garden , suppressing native plant and disrupting local ecosystems . Gardeners often shin to control its rampant growth , as it spreads through secret runner . If you select to embed Periwinkle , ready for even maintenance . Opting for less aggressive choice may save fourth dimension and preserve biodiversity . conceive native plants that support wildlife alternatively .

Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy)

Creeping Charlie can be a incubus for nurseryman . Its power to spread rapidly through both seeds and stolon makes it a formidable invader . Often found in shady areas , it forms loggerheaded mat that outcompete turfgrass and other plants . Removing it can be labor - intensive , as it requires persistent travail to uproot its creeping stems . Many gardeners find that once it takes hold , it ’s near impossible to wipe out wholly . For those seeking a more manageable groundcover , looking into aboriginal species that better suit your garden ’s need is wise .

Bishop’s Weed (Goutweed)

Bishop ’s Weed may attract with its ornamental foliage , but mind of its encroaching tendency . This works spreads rapidly through rhizomes , organise dull colony that crowd out other species . It thrives in various conditions , crap it difficult to control once institute . Gardeners who plant it often regret doing so , as it requires constant vigilance to foreclose it from overtaking the garden . Consider choosing works that offer mantrap without the headache of constant maintenance to keep your garden both beautiful and diverse .

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed is infamous for its aggressive growth . resemble bamboo , this plant life can sprout up to ten feet tall and often distribute through underground rhizomes . It ’s known to damage belongings foundations and obtrude upon infrastructure . Getting rid of it is notoriously hard , requiring logical monitoring and remotion efforts . Many community have regulated against institute it due to its invasiveness . When considering ground cover , opt for plants that provide reportage without the risk of structural damage and legal issues .

Crown Vetch

Crown Vetch is often used for erosion ascendency , but it come with meaning drawbacks . Its vigorous outgrowth let it to compensate magnanimous areas quickly , often at the expense of native plant . Once established , it can be challenging to slay , as it spreads through creeping base and seeds . This plant can prevail a landscape painting , hinder biodiversity and requiring ongoing management . For those in search of an effective yet non - invasive groundcover , research native species tailored to your region is a more sustainable choice .

Bugleweed (Ajuga)

Bugleweed ’s vivacious gloomy bloom are enticing , but its invasive nature can quickly become problematic . This ground cover spreads through contrabandist , organize dense matt that can stifle other plant . Often , it ’s planted for its attractive appearance , only to become a garden pest that ’s difficult to carry off . even maintenance is required to keep its spread in hinderance . For those seek a ground cover that complement rather than competes , consider species that offer seasonal interest without belligerent tendencies .

Mint

Mint is beloved for its fresh scent and culinary uses , yet it can be a troublesome garden guest . This industrial plant spreads aggressively through belowground contrabandist , promptly take over garden spaces . Left uncurbed , it can overlook an area , making it hard for other plants to thrive . Gardeners often resort to container to keep its increment under control . If you roll in the hay lot , consider embed it in pots where it can be managed easily . This approach allows you to enjoy its benefits without the concern of constant maintenance .

Lamb’s Ear

Lamb ’s Ear is adore for its easygoing , velvety leaves , but it demands more care than many anticipate . prostrate to spreading , it can create dense clumps that dominate neighboring plants . to boot , it draw bee , which can be problematical for those allergic or wish well to keep blighter at bay . steady division is necessary to maintain its size of it and prevent it from becoming invasive . For a garden that ’s easier to cope , conceive prefer plant that require less frequent sustainment and bring home the bacon similar visual appeal .

Pachysandra

Pachysandra is often choose for its power to thrive in shade , yet it can create more work than anticipate . It pass around quickly , mould dim Master of Arts in Teaching that can outcompete other specter - loving plant . Once established , it requires consistent pruning to keep it in ascendance and prevent it from overtaking other garden area . For those look for a less invasive option , exploring native groundcovers that fend for local wildlife and require less maintenance might be good . This will help ensure your garden remains balanced and beautiful .

Bamboo

Bamboo ’s exotic allure often misrepresent its aggressive nature . make out for its speedy growth , it can become a dominant feature in any garden , often spreading beyond intended boundary . Its rhizome - root scheme make it hard to eradicate once establish . This can direct to conflicts with neighbour and a constant struggle to keep it contained . If you ’re study bamboo , it ’s advisable to opt for clunking varieties or to plant it in a curb space . This allows you to appreciate its peach without the stress of unceasing management .

Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)

Ground Ivy is notorious for its pervasive nature . Often seen as a locoweed , it can quickly cover encompassing arena , forming dense mats that surround other industrial plant . This plant can be tough to control due to its creep stems that root easy . Gardeners often confront an uphill struggle to polish off it once it establishes itself in a garden . For a more harmonious garden environment , consider planting ground cover that complement your blank without competing for resources . This fosters a healthier and more achievable garden .

Sweet Woodruff

Sweet Woodruff is often appreciated for its fragrant flower and foliage , yet it can top its bounds . Preferring louche and moist areas , it forms thick carpeting that can overrun other plant life . This tenacity often leads gardener to repent its inclusion in their gardens . Although lovely in appearance , it demands regular maintenance to keep its spread in tab . If you ’re considering it for your garden , be ready for frequent pruning or seek choice that offer both beauty and comfort of concern , ensuring your garden stay a pleasure to assert .

Star Jasmine

Star Jasmine is often chosen for its sweetly scented flowers , yet it can be more demanding than require . This climbing plant can spread aggressively , overtaking social system and other plant if not carefully managed . Its vigorous growth requires regular pruning to keep it within spring . Those turn over Star Jasmine should be prepared for uniform care to prevent it from becoming overpowering . For those seeking a fragrant addition with less maintenance , explore slower - growing or less invasive alternatives might be more

14 Groundcover Plants You Should Never Plant

English Ivy

© Invasive Species Council of BC

English Ivy

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

© Southern Living

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy)

© University of Maryland Extension

Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy)

Bishop’s Weed (Goutweed)

© Maryland Biodiversity Project

Bishop’s Weed (Goutweed)

Japanese Knotweed

© Garden Organic

Japanese Knotweed

Crown Vetch

© iNaturalist

Crown Vetch

Bugleweed (Ajuga)

© The Spruce

Bugleweed (Ajuga)

Mint

© Gardener’s Path

Mint

Lamb’s Ear

© Sylvan Gardens Landscape Contractors

Lamb’s Ear

Pachysandra

© Peekskill Nurseries

Pachysandra

Bamboo

© Environment America

Bamboo

Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)

© MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources – Michigan State University

Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)

Sweet Woodruff

© The Spruce

Sweet Woodruff

Star Jasmine

© Young House Love

Star Jasmine