Ground Covers

Ground cover in the desert can be a great alternative to growing water-demanding grasses. Many types of ground cover provide a similar look and feel but thrive with very little water.

Ground cover describes a purpose in the garden rather than a specific plant type. At times it is beneficial to cover dirt with something other than a sea of perennials or trees. That is exactly what ground covers do, they grow directly above the soil but beneath the larger plants around it providing shade to the soil in the summer months and frost protection for roots during the winter months.

The best types of ground cover for the desert are ones with long stems. Ground covers can also stabilize hillsides or erosion-prone areas, as their ever-growing root system will hold the soil in place.