Groundcovers are a valuable asset in any garden they maintain moisture in the soil by limiting penetrating sunlight to the soil, suppress weeds, eliminate the need for mulch and all while utilizing an unused layer of soil. Some people think that groundcovers are bad because they compete with the other more important specimen plants in the garden. In reality the opposite is true, any plant in your landscape wants groundcover present.
The groundcover actually eliminates competition for the plants and conditions the soil as well by preventing erosion and collecting nutrients. Most groundcovers grow through rhizomes which are underground roots that spread a lot like bermuda grass just under the surface of the ground. This weave of subterranean roots provides that plant community with perfect stability without interfering in the growth of plants with root systems beneath them. Here is an illustration from Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West that shows the different depths of root systems with various perennial plant species.
As the drawing illustrates each plant species has it soil horizon or layer that its root system resides. By planting groundcovers you are giving your soil a great start towards sustaining a great plant community and high nutrient levels.
Many times groundcovers are thought of as boring and only green or some consistent color but that is not always true. You have your pachysandra or english ivy that fits this category but you also have vinca minor, delosperma (pictured above, right) and creeping jenny (also above, left) that either bloom or offer great color impact with foliage. Not all groundcover is relegated to ground level either – plants like Low-Grow Fragrant Sumac (pictured middle above) grows to 3-4 tall but creates a mass over time that spreads over time and eliminates and competitors. For shade gardens heuchera species are a great choice since they are clump forming and keep their leaves thru the winter. Heuchera comes in hundreds of varieties and can fit the color scheme or blend in any garden
