Native Ground Cover

Carex vulpinoidea*

Fox Sedge Plant

Carex vulpinoidea*
This lovely wetland sedge grows to form clumps two feet in diameter. In mid-summer seedheads spray out from the center of the plant for an...
Comptonia peregrina

Sweet Fern

Comptonia peregrina
Not a true fern, this low growing shrub does best in sandy soils, from well-drained dry sites to the edges of marshes. Sweet Fern (Comptonia...
Cornus canadensis*

Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis*
This Northwoods favorite is known for its trademark set of four beautifully textured leaves with bright red berries suspended above. Bunchberry...
Dryopteris marginalis

Marginal Wood Fern

Dryopteris marginalis
Marginal Wood Fern thrives on dry rocky sites and seems nearly impervious to drought. The thick, leathery leaves stay green over winter, providing...
Gymnocarpium dryopteris

Oak Fern

Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Oak Fern never grows more than a foot tall, spreading slowly to form a beautiful clump of airy greenish-gold leaves. Ideal for mixing with low...
Heuchera americana, var. Interior

American Alum Root

Heuchera americana, var. Interior
American Alum Root is a fantastic foliage plant – it's ruffled leaves are streaked with silver and red-purple highlights for year-round...
Heuchera villosa, var. Atropurpurea

Maple Leaved Alum Root

Heuchera villosa, var. Atropurpurea
Striking burgundy foliage and a plethora of starry white flowers make Maple Leaved Alum Root a focal point of the shade garden. Native to the...
Hierochloe odorata*

Vanilla Sweet Grass Plant

Hierochloe odorata*
This grass is considered sacred and used in Native American ceremonies; braided and burned as a 'smudge' to purify body and soul. The glossy leaves...
Osmunda cinnamomea

Cinnamon Fern

Osmunda cinnamomea
The cinnamon-brown fruiting stalks give this fern its name. One of the largest and most dramatic of our native ferns, Osmunda cinnamomea looks best...
Osmunda claytoniana

Interrupted Fern

Osmunda claytoniana
Fruiting bodies are produced on the lower portion of the fronds in between the pinnae (leaf blades), giving this distinctive fern its name. In...

Native Ground Cover Recommendations
Use a native groundcover to create a uniform look around a deck, along a path, or to highlight the base of a shade tree. Chosen for their beautiful foliage, these durable groundcovers will carpet the ground with greenery. Ranging in height from a soil hugging six inches to ferns exceeding three feet, groundcovers help hold soil, reduce weed growth and provide season-long interest.