When it comes to selecting groundcover plant for your garden , not all options are good . Some plant may look appealing but can become invasive , interrupt your garden ’s ecosystem , or require extravagant maintenance . To help you make informed choices , here are 14 groundcover plants you should avoid planting in your garden .

English Ivy

English Ivy might seem charming as it climbs up a wall , but it can promptly become a nuisance . This tight - growing plant tends to choke out other plants , and its aggressive nature make it hard to control . Often , householder obtain themselves in a constant struggle to keep it from overtaking their gardens . Its roots can damage structure , while the leave entertain pesterer . Keep in creative thinker , it demand veritable pruning to keep it in check , and even then , it may still spread beyond your intended area . It ’s advisable to consider alternatives that require less maintenance .

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Periwinkle is admire for its shining leaves and vibrant bloom , yet it obliterate a more sinister side . Once install , it forms dense mat that smother other flora . This tenacious ground cover can dominate a garden , crush native plants and disrupting local ecosystems . Gardeners often struggle to control its rearing ontogeny , as it spread through underground runners . If you choose to plant Periwinkle , prepare for regular sustentation . Opting for less strong-growing option may save clock time and bear on biodiversity . Consider native plants that tolerate wildlife instead .

Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy)

creep Charlie can be a nightmare for gardener . Its power to spread rapidly through both seeds and runners gain it a formidable encroacher . Often found in shady areas , it forge thick mats that outcompete turfgrass and other plants . Removing it can be labor - intensive , as it requires persistent effort to uproot its creeping stem . Many gardeners find that once it takes custody , it ’s nearly impossible to exterminate wholly . For those seek a more manageable groundcover , looking into aboriginal species that better beseem your garden ’s need is wise .

Bishop’s Weed (Goutweed)

Bishop ’s Weed may attract with its decorative foliage , but beware of its encroaching inclination . This plant spreads apace through rhizomes , forming slow colonies that crowd out other species . It thrives in various conditions , making it difficult to control once instal . nurseryman who found it often regret doing so , as it requires invariant vigilance to prevent it from overcome the garden . Consider choosing plants that proffer looker without the headache of invariant upkeep to keep your garden both beautiful and diverse .

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed is notorious for its strong-growing growth . Resembling bamboo , this plant can shoot up to ten feet tall and often spreads through underground rhizomes . It ’s have a go at it to damage property foundations and invade base . Getting rid of it is notoriously difficult , requiring coherent monitoring and removal efforts . Many community have regularize against planting it due to its invasiveness . When consider ground cover , opt for plant that provide coverage without the risk of morphological damage and effectual issues .

Crown Vetch

Crown Vetch is often used for eroding control , but it comes with significant drawback . Its vigorous growth allows it to cover large field quickly , often at the expense of native flora . Once established , it can be challenging to get rid of , as it overspread through crawl roots and seeds . This plant life can rule a landscape , hindering biodiversity and ask on-going direction . For those in search of an effectual yet non - invasive groundcover , exploring native species tailored to your region is a more sustainable choice .

Bugleweed (Ajuga)

Bugleweed ’s vivacious blue flower are lure , but its invading nature can chop-chop become problematic . This groundcover pass around through runners , forming dense mats that can smother other plants . Often , it ’s planted for its attractive coming into court , only to become a garden pest that ’s difficult to manage . even maintenance is required to keep its spread head in balk . For those seeking a groundcover that complement rather than competes , look at mintage that extend seasonal interest without belligerent trend .

Mint

Mint is beloved for its bracing scent and culinary uses , yet it can be a troublesome garden Edgar Guest . This industrial plant spreads sharply through surreptitious runners , quickly taking over garden spaces . leave unchecked , it can reign an area , making it difficult for other plants to thrive . Gardeners often repair to containers to keep its growth under ascendency . If you bang mint , consider implant it in pots where it can be manage well . This approach allows you to enjoy its benefits without the headache of unvarying maintenance .

Lamb’s Ear

Lamb ’s Ear is adored for its lenient , velvety leaves , but it demands more guardianship than many anticipate . Prone to spreading , it can produce slow clustering that overshadow neighboring plants . Additionally , it attracts bees , which can be problematic for those supersensitised or wishing to keep pests at bay . Regular division is necessary to keep its size of it and prevent it from becoming invasive . For a garden that ’s easier to deal , view choosing plants that involve less frequent maintenance and provide like visual prayer .

Pachysandra

Pachysandra is often choose for its ability to fly high in nicety , yet it can make more employment than anticipated . It spreads quickly , forming dense matte that can outcompete other spook - get laid plants . Once established , it requires coherent pruning to keep it in control and prevent it from overcome other garden areas . For those seek a less trespassing option , exploring native groundcovers that support local wildlife and ask less maintenance might be beneficial . This will avail ensure your garden remain balanced and beautiful .

Bamboo

Bamboo ’s exotic allure often belie its aggressive nature . Known for its speedy growing , it can become a prevailing feature article in any garden , often spread beyond intended boundaries . Its rhizome - root system makes it difficult to eradicate once establish . This can contribute to conflicts with neighbors and a constant battle to keep it contained . If you ’re considering bamboo , it ’s advisable to opt for clunking varieties or to institute it in a contained distance . This allows you to take account its beauty without the stress of constant management .

Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)

Ground Ivy is infamous for its permeating nature . Often escort as a weed , it can quickly cover extensive area , forming obtuse flatness that smother other plant . This plant can be tough to see due to its creeping stems that root easily . Gardeners often face an uphill battle to remove it once it establishes itself in a garden . For a more proportionate garden surroundings , consider planting ground cover that complement your space without compete for resources . This foster a healthier and more manageable garden .

Sweet Woodruff

Sweet Woodruff is often appreciated for its fragrant blossom and foliage , yet it can pass its bound . prefer fishy and moist field , it form thickset carpets that can overrun other plants . This tenacity often head gardener to rue its inclusion body in their gardens . Although lovely in appearance , it demands regular upkeep to keep its counterpane in check . If you ’re considering it for your garden , be quick for frequent pruning or try alternatives that offer both beaut and ease of care , ensuring your garden remain a pleasure to maintain .

Star Jasmine

Star Jasmine is often chosen for its sweetly perfumed heyday , yet it can be more demanding than expected . This climbing works can circulate sharply , overtake structures and other plants if not cautiously managed . Its vigorous growth requires even pruning to keep it within leaping . Those considering Star Jasmine should be prepared for consistent upkeep to prevent it from becoming overpowering . For those seeking a fragrant improver with less sustentation , explore slower - spring up or less encroaching choice might be more

14 Groundcover Plants You Should Never Plant

English Ivy

© Invasive Species Council of BC

English Ivy

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

© Southern Living

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy)

© University of Maryland Extension

Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy)

Bishop’s Weed (Goutweed)

© Maryland Biodiversity Project

Bishop’s Weed (Goutweed)

Japanese Knotweed

© Garden Organic

Japanese Knotweed

Crown Vetch

© iNaturalist

Crown Vetch

Bugleweed (Ajuga)

© The Spruce

Bugleweed (Ajuga)

Mint

© Gardener’s Path

Mint

Lamb’s Ear

© Sylvan Gardens Landscape Contractors

Lamb’s Ear

Pachysandra

© Peekskill Nurseries

Pachysandra

Bamboo

© Environment America

Bamboo

Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)

© MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources – Michigan State University

Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)

Sweet Woodruff

© The Spruce

Sweet Woodruff

Star Jasmine

© Young House Love

Star Jasmine