Resources and Links
While a low height is preferred, what truly makes a plant a groundcover is the way it expands to form solid, interconnected mats of foliage. Their ability to form dense leaf cover smothers and eliminates weeds naturally, while providing multiple seasons of interest from flower to foliage. Here are our top picks for moist sun, dry sun, moist shade and dry shade.
Visit NCN Groundcover Collection
Notoriously considered one of the most challenging sites in the garden; dry shade locations can be a test to even the most experienced gardener. In such competitive conditions, many shade perennials fail to thrive—but with the right plants, proper establishment, and care during periods of drought—dry shade gardens can be a showpiece! Blooming early spring through fall, here are a few of our favorite plants for dry shade.
Visit NCN Dry Shade CollectionHow is your plant palette poised to keep native plants, pollinator health, and the health of our environment at the forefront of market demand? Are you ready to meet the needs of your customer? Bees and other pollinators need pollen, nectar, and shelter all season, from early spring through late fall—North Creek’s Pollinator Collection will help you achieve just that!
Visit NCN Pollinator CollectionCities have become large areas devoid of plants and therefore devoid of the benefits derived from plants. Green roofs, when properly specified and maintained, can deliver some of those lost ecosystem services of stormwater management, nectar supply, aesthetics, and habitat that were there before the city was formed. —Ed Snodgrass
Visit NCN Green Roof CollectionOur Carex Collection offers a selection of sedges working as verdant groundcovers adaptable to a wide variety of site conditions. From obligate to upland conditions, sedges thrive in as assortment of environments, help to control erosion, provide habitat, and are an excellent native alternative to Liriope and Mondo grass. Discover the power of this versatile genus!
Visit NCN Carex CollectionPerfect for challenging sites, ferns are low-maintenance, lush, and inviting. There is a fern for all garden locations—from dry shade to moist sunny spots. In addition to texture, some species of ferns provide architectural appeal such as Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis and Adiantum pedatum; while others, such as Polystichum acrostichoides and Matteuccia struthiopteris can help stabilize soil erosion.
Visit NCN Fern CollectionRECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENGINEERED, SAND-BASED SOILS
North Creek recommends finding inspiration from coastal species and perennials which have adapted to thrive in such environments. This palette offers a refreshing new aesthetic: mid-height vegetation with stunning color, texture, pollinator value and excellent stormwater treatment function. Most importantly, these plants flourish in urban conditions.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MESIC SOILS
Through years of trials at North Creek, we now offer a diverse plant palette that not only thrives in woodland conditions while looking great spring through fall – and some of them even shine with glossy, evergreen foliage in winter.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR XERIC SOILS
Not all meadow plants are neat enough to aesthetically fit into high visibility urban spaces nor are they all adapted to tough city conditions. Here are some species that thrive in urban conditions, bring the beauty of wild places right back into our lives, and help balance the effects urbanization has on our environment.