There is a vast world of creeping plants out there that I had largely dismissed... Groundcovers have never really been my "thing", but I increasingly enjoy seeing them tucked in between rocks and other tight places. For the most part they are easy to grow and, my favorite, easy to divide and share with others!
However, their aggressive nature scares me... the root of this fear is most likely due to seeing English Ivy and Vinca minor taking over my grandma's garden. Because of seeing countless gardens overgrown with groundcovers, I'm extremely cautious when I introduce anything that could become a problem, and I need to observe it in other gardens before I take the plunge.
My first mention is something that I've only had for around two years but has so far proven to be quite hardy and attractive. Ajuga 'Parrot Paradise' is a multicolored short plant that spreads in a manner similar to mint, albeit far less aggressive. It's a relatively new creation, but I've already divided and planted it in multiple spots. I can't express to you how much I enjoy making new plants, and like I said earlier, most groundcovers are easy to divide and share! 'Parrot Paradise' is great for use as a spiller in a container or in amongst rocks in a perennial border.
Another tame groundcover that I adore is the native pussytoes. Antennaria plantaginifolia is a tiny little silver leaf plant that naturally creeps around in dry rocky soils throughout the east. I find it to be quite plentiful throughout the piedmont along dry piny/oak roadsides. It is by no means uncommon, yet you never see it in people's gardens or for sale! I think grows best without much competition, as it seems to like more direct sun. I've had a small patch around some stones on the southern side of my house for years, and I've divided it numerous times. I think the key to sustaining it over the long-run is to periodically divide it and move it to new or "fresh" areas.
Creeping fleabane or Robin's Plantain is a tough native that spreads quite rapidly both in sun and semi-shade. It forms flat rosettes and exceptionally cute tiny daisy flowers in April. While you can easily find this in the wild, 'Meadow Muffin' offered by Plant Delights is my favorite cultivar. Just be aware that this plant can suffocate small bulbs like rain lilies, so I'd advise careful siting of this plant away from more passive species.
The last species I'd like to plug is actually a fern. Yet this is a diminutive dwarf fern that doesn't outcompete other woodland plants. Polypodium vulgare 'Ulleung Island' is no longer offered by Plant Delights, but I've had it for at least 10 years. It grows best in shade to semi-shade and can quite literally burn up in direct sun. This is a slowly spreading or clumping plant, that looks especially comfortable along the edge of a path amongst rocks. It is also easy to divide!
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