Groundcovers can help unite the various areas of your garden, providing structure and a well-groomed visual scene.

Some covers can creep and fill around stepping stones. Blue star creeper (Pratia pedunculata), hardy in Zones 6-10, or green carpet rupture-wort (Heniaria glabra), hardy in Zones 4-8, provide a lush carpet and help keep a neat appearance in the garden.

Some groundcovers release a fragrance when touched or lightly trod on. Corsican mint (Mentha requienii) has a minty scent and tiny, delicate leaves. This plant is used for light-traffic areas that are seldom stepped on. Other light-traffic area covers are carpet bugleweed (Ajuga reptans), Zones 3-10; Kenilworth ivy (Cymbalaria muralis), Zones 5-8; dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), Zones 6-11, Irish moss (Sagina subulata), Zones 4-10; beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), Zones 4-9; Serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana), Zones 3-8; and baby's tears (Soleirolia soleirolii), Zones 9-11. 

Plants for moderate-traffic areas are creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), Zones 3-9; creeping phlox (Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue' more for top of a sone wall, a non walked on area, Zones 4-9; wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum), Zones 4-8; and woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus), Zones 5-8. 

Covers for heavy-traffic areas include another blue star creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis), Zones 5-9; green carpet rupture-wort, Zones 4-8; and creeping thyme (Thymus praecox 'Elfin'), Zones 5-8.

For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.
- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service