Groundcovers are low-growing plants that offer color, texture, and interest to landscape beds. Many groundcovers are problem-solvers, suppressing weeds or providing erosion control for areas such as steep hillsides. But some groundcovers can take over, pushing out native species and overrunning other nearby perennials.
In the last two decades of gardening, I’ve met a few groundcover bullies—and I’d never plant them in my own garden. Sometimes you inherit these plants when you move into a home, or seeds may have been spread by bird or animal droppings. You may even have purchased them at the garden center, not knowing they’re aggressive growers.
That’s why it makes sense to do your homework when shopping. If a plant is labeled a “fast-grower,” that’s a good indication that you may have a future troublemaker on your hands. But remember that aggressive plants aren’t the same as invasive plants; invasives are those that overtake and displace native species. These should never be planted, under any circumstances.
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The issue is that many invasive plants are still sold in nurseries and online. If you’re unsure whether a plant is invasive, check the Invasive Plant Atlas database or your local university cooperative extension service (find yours here).
On the other hand, aggressive plants simply grow more quickly than expected; they’re fairly easy to remove, if you stay on top of them. You can dig up plants, being sure to get all pieces because even the tiniest root or rhizome can resprout. Also, bag and dispose of them; don’t toss these pieces in your compost bin, where they can regrow.
Or you can try solarization, a process in which you cover the area with a clear plastic tarp so that the hot sun will fry the vegetation. Unfortunately, this takes time and isn’t the most attractive solution, but it is effective.
For either aggressive growers or invasive species, be patient if you’re trying to remove them. It may take a year or more to eradicate an unwanted groundcover, but persistence does pay off. Keep at it, and you’ll be able to reclaim your garden once again.
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Ahead, here are the groundcovers I’d never plant:
1) English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Photo credit: Grace Cary – Getty Images
English ivy does possess a certain charming cottage garden or country estate aesthetic, but it can quickly take over your garden. It is considered invasive in much of the country. English ivy can climb trees, smothering them as the plant matures into a woody, clinging vine. It also provides a cozy hiding place for adult mosquitoes to hang out from the hot sun during the day.
2) Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Photo credit: Grace Cary – Getty Images
With its golden foliage, this brightly colored creeping vine is eye-catching in part shade—and it can be found at most nurseries. But it is considered invasive in many states because it can form mats that displace native plants, especially in wetlands.
Fortunately, it’s one of the easiest groundcovers to remove, and new growth pulls up easily by hand.
3) Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
Photo credit: Roberto Machado Noa – Getty Images
This vine hugs the ground when it has nothing to climb. But wintercreeper is a rapid grower that can cling to tree bark, brick, stone, and other textured surfaces. It can smother other plantings quickly. It is considered invasive in many states.
4) Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Photo credit: Flottmynd – Getty Images
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The tiny white bell-shaped flowers dangling from stems are a charming sight in springtime gardens. But lily of the valley is a real stinker, despite its sweet fragrance! This plant takes over quickly and is considered invasive in much of the country. Plus, it’s highly poisonous if consumed by people or pets.
5) Periwinkle (Vinca spp.)
Photo credit: Xvision – Getty Images
With its dark green creeping foliage and cheerful purple flowers, this groundcover is quite appealing. It also tolerates many different conditions, including poor soils, full sun, and part shade. But periwinkle is considered invasive in many states and will grow unchecked unless you halt its spread. It’s fairly easy to remove if you are persistent in pulling up new plants as they appear.
6) Bishop’s Weed (Aegopodium podagraria)
Photo credit: Brian Stablyk – Getty Images
Also known as goutweed, the solid green or variegated green and white foliage of this plant adds color to landscape beds. However, it is considered invasive in some states, where it has escaped cultivation and grows in disturbed lands such as felled forests, abandoned fields, and pastures.
7) Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata)
Photo credit: Joshua McCullough, PhytoPhoto – Getty Images
With its colorful leaves and spring flowers, it’s easy to see why gardeners are attracted to this plant. However, it is considered invasive. Its deep roots make it difficult to remove, so don’t purchase this pretty but bully-like plant at nurseries.
8) Creeping Lilyturf (Liriope spicata)
Photo credit: DigiPub – Getty Images
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This evergreen groundcover, also known as monkey grass, is appealing with its grass-like foliage and tiny purple spikes of flowers. But it will overrun garden beds and lawns quickly. In much of the country, it is considered invasive. Though some gardeners say it’s okay to grow this in garden beds bordered by a walk or driveway, in my opinion, it’s too risky because it’s escaped cultivation and has been found in wild areas in parts of the Southeast.
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