Invasive Ground Cover Plants

• Lily-of-the-valley blooms white flowers in mid-spring. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Invasive ground cover plants can take over a garden in a short period of time. They spread fast and can quickly harm other plants and become a weed problem. If properly managed, these types of plants can serve as vigorous ground covers that can grow in less-than-ideal soil conditions in the sun or shade.

Crown Vetch

• Crown vetch (Coronilla varia) grows well on dry, steep, rocky slopes. It helps prevent soil erosion and can cover large areas. It grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet and develops small pink flowers during the warmer months. It spreads by underground stems, and each plant can spread to a diameter of 6 feet. It grows best in full sun, but can also survive in the shade.

Lily-of-the-Valley

• Lily-of the-valley (Covallaria majalis) grows to a height of 6 to 18 inches. In mid-spring, it blooms waxy white flowers that have a bell shape and release a pleasant fragrance. It spreads quickly and often requires thinning, making it unsuitable for borders. Fertilize to maximize flower production. Grow lily-of-the-valley in half or full shade, for example beneath shade trees.

Carpet Bugleweed

• Carpet bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) provides a dense ground cover, developing mats of leaves that form rosettes. It grows to a height of 4 to 12 inches and has deep green, dark bronze, creamy yellow or dark purple foliage that turn brown when it's cold. It develops upright clusters of blue, white or purplish flowers in spring. It thrives in almost any soil with good drainage, developing quickly and sometimes invading gardens. Grow carpet bugleweed in shade or partial sun.

Bishop's Goutweed

• Also known as snow on the mountain, Bishop's goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria) grows to reach six to 14 inches in height. It grows vigorously, becoming weedy in open areas. The cultivar Variegatum has green leaves with white margins that die in winter. It grows both in the sun and shade, but the variegated leaves look especially attractive when it gets some sunlight in shady areas. Grow this plant where you can restrict its spread, for example by the sidewalk or the house.