Ground Covers We Grow
Agapanthus praecox Evergreen. A rhizomatous, clumping perennial with compact clusters of vivd bluish-purple or white flowers held above clumps of strappy leaves. Summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Tolerates mild frost. Versatile. Undemanding. Soil stabilization. Mass planting.
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis ‘Albidus’ Evergreen. A rhizomatous, clumping perennial with compact clusters of dazzling, pure white flowers (cultivar) held above clumps of strappy leaves. Summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Tolerates mild frost. Versatile. Decoraive. Mass planting.
Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis ‘Dwarf White’ & ‘Dwarf Blue’ Evergreen. A compact dwarf cultivar of rhizomatous perennial with thin, narrow, curved leaves & masses of pure white or pale purplish-blue flowers. Summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise once established. Hardy. Versatile. Undemanding. Mass planting.
Agapanthus orientalis ‘Purple Cloud’ Evergreen. A rhizomatous perennial with clusters of deep purple, pendulous flowers held above gracefully arching, strappy leaves. Spring & summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Undemanding. Tolerates poor soils. Containers. Mass planting. Cut flowers.
Aristea eklonii Evergreen. A vigorous, clumping rhizomatous perennial with broadly ensiform leaves & spikes of starry, brilliant violet flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Full sun. Average water needs. Frost hardy. Resprouts after fire. Fast-growing.
Asparagus densiflorus Evergreen. A tuberous, scrambling or erect subshrub with wiry, spiny stems, fine, needle-like foliage, small white flowers & red berries. Everblooming. Accepts half sun. Water-wise. Frost sensitive. Accepts most soils. Containers. Coastal areas. Indoors.
Asparagus densiflorus ‘Cwebe’ Evergreen. A luxuriant, uprightly growin, compact perennial with coppery-red to green, needle-like foliage, inconspicuous, fragrant pinkish-white flowers & vivid crimson berries. Summer flowering. Prefers semi-shade. Tolerates mild frost. Waterwise once established. Matt-forming. Containers. Slopes & walls.
Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ Evergreen. A scrambling yet elegant, spiny perennial with pendulous (mature) stems of fine, needle-like foliage, small white flowers & masses of scarlet berries. Summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Tolerates mild frost. Average water needs. Containers. Coastal gardens.
Asparagus falcatus Evergreen. A woody, naturally creeping, twiny perennial armed with small, sharp thorns. The leaves are glossy, long & sickle-shaped & the flowers are small, fragrant and white. Spring & summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Sand tolerant. Coastal gardens. Screening.
Asparagus meyerii Evergreen. An upright growing, elegant perennial with compact, columnar branches consisting of delicate, needle-like foliage, small yet fragrant white flowers & bright crimson berries. Summer & autumn flowering. Accepts half sun. Tolerates mild frost. Average water needs. Ornamental foliage. Undemanding. Versatile.
Asparagus plumosus Evergreen. A twiny, scrambling perennial with clusters of fine, feathery foliage, small, fragrant greenish-white flowers & black berrries. Summer & autumn flowering. Semi-shade or shade. Waterwise. Long-lived. Containers. Indoors. Undemanding. Floral arrangements.
Aspidistra elatior Evergreen. A clumping rhizomatous perennial with broad, wavy, deep green glossy foliage & purple-brown flowers. Autumn flowering. Prefers shade. Average water but tolerates drought. Tolerates some frost. Undemanding. Tough. Indoors. Long-lived.
Asystasia gangetica Evergreen. A vigorous creeper with attractive, deep green foliage & creamy-white, purple-flecked flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Frost tender. Fast-growing. Attracts butterlies. Edible leaves. Containers.
Barleria repens Evergreen. A scrambling, often shrubby perennial with soft, glossy foliage & masses of deep pinkish-red flowers. Summer & autumn flowering. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Tolerates mild frost. Adaptable. Pest-free. Containers. Border planting.
Becium obovatum (=Ocimum obovatum) Deciduous. A recumbent, clambering, somewhat woody grassland perennial with hairy leaves & pretty white to pale lilac, frilly  flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Tolerates some frost. Containers. Rockeries. Accepts most soils.
Bulbine abyssinica Evergreen. A clumping, resilient succulent perennial with narrow, soft textured, arching leaves & compact, tall flower spikes of golden-yellow, starry flowers. Can be everblooming. Full sun. Waterwise. Tolerates frost & dry heat. Mass planting. Rockeries. Attracts bees.
Bulbine frutescens Evergreen. A vigorously spreading, succulent perennial with narrow, elongated leaves & spikes of yellow-orange flowers. Spring flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Frost hardy. Multiplies rapidly. Indoors. Medicinal.
Bulbine natalensis Evergreen. A lovely succulent with rosettes of broad, vivid green, aloe-like leaves & dense spikes of starry yellow flowers. Everblooming. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Tolerates some frost. Highly medicinal. Feature plant. Rockeries. Tolerates heat.
Canavalia rosea Evergreen. A creeping, twining, herbaceous, mat-forming perennial with broadly rounded leaves & notched, pale to deep fuschia flowers. Everblooming. Full sun. Water-wise. Salt tolerant. Roots contain nitrogen fixing soil bacteria. Fast-growing. Attractive & tough.
Carissa macrocarpa ‘Green Carpet’ Evergreen. A compactly spreading, spiny perennial with deep green, glossy foliage, fragrant white flowers & bright crimson, fleshy fruits. Spring & summer flowering. Full sun. Average water needs. Tolerates mild frost. Undemanding. Edible fruits. Ornamental. Security hedge.
Carpobrotus edulis Evergreen. A vigorously creeping perennial with fleshy, elongated green leaves, delicate, yellow to pink flowers & tasty, edible fruits. Spring flowering. Full sun. Waterwise. Tolerates mild frost. Soil stabilization. Coastal gardens. Medicinal.
Chaetacanthus setiger (=Dyschoriste setigera) Evergreen. A prostrate, densely spreading perennial with lush green, dainty leaves & small white or blue flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise once established. Tolerates frost. Containers. Undemanding. Coastal gardens.
Chlorophytum bowkerii Semi-deciduous. A vigorously spreading, clumping perennial with long, grass-like leaves in a basal rosette & arching flower stems of small white flowers. Everblooming. Prefers shade. Average water needs. Resprouts after frost damage. Undemanding. Mass planting.
Chlorophytum comosum Evergreen. A clumping, tuberous perennial with long, softly arching, grass-like leaves & small white flowers. Summer flowering. Prefers shade. Average water needs. Frost tender. Indoors. Containers. Versatile. Pest free.
Cotyledon orbiculata Evergreen. A low-growing, clumping succulent perennial with rounded, grey-green, red-edged leaves & spikes of reddish-orange, pendulous flowers. Summer to winter flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Tolerates some frost. Waterwise. Rockeries. Containers. Beautiful, decorative foliage palnt.
Cotyledon ovata Evergreen. A branchy, upright, compact succulent subshrub with glossy, rounded leaves, masses of pinkish-white flowers. Winter flowering. Full sun. Average water needs but tolerates some drought. Rather frost sensitive. Focal feature. Containers. Multiplies easily. Bonsai.
Crassula arborescens Evergreen. A squat, branchy succulent, growing into a small tree, with a blue-grey, red edged, waxy, undulate leaves and small pinkish-white flowers. Spring flowering. Water-wise. Frost sensitive. Decorative. Containers. Indoors. Rockeries. Bonsai.
Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’ Evergreen. A naturaly ramose, clumping succulent perennial with sharp edged, vivd green leaves that mature to red & dainty creamy-white flowers. Summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise once established. Decorative. Coastal gardens. Rockeries.
Crassula multicava Evergreen. A densely spreading, mat-forming perennial with decorative, lustrous green leaves & a profusion of dainty pink flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise once established.Fast-growing. Long-lived. Mass planting. Versatile.
Crassula multicava ‘Purple’ Evergreen. A decorative, prostrate succulent perennial with broadly ovoid, purple based leaves & petite, starry pink flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Tolerates frost. Containers. Multiplies rapidly.  Moist locales. Year round interest.
Crassula ovata ‘Ogre Ears’ Evergreen. A clumping, succulent perennial with curiously flat-edged, tubular, greenish-red leaves & small pink flowers. Summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Tolerates mild frost only. Decorative. Containers. Rockeries.
Crassula sarmentosa Evergreen. A strikingly attractive succulent perennial with faintly serrated, colourful leaves in shades of green, yellow, pink & red & clusters of pinkish-white flowers. Summer to autumn flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise once established. Containers. Rockeries. Coastal gardens.
Crassula spathulata Evergreen. A compact, prostrately creeping succulent perennial with vivid green, often reddish tinged leaves & delicate pale pink flowers. Often everblooming. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Accepts most soils. Containers. Mass planting. Soil stabilization.
Crassula tetragona Evergreen. A woody, upright or recumbent succulent perennial with narrow, criss-crossing leaves & terminal, creamy flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Tolerates some frost. Decorative. Containers. Bonsai.
Delosperma asstd. Evergreen. A neatly compact, often climbing succulent perennial with long fleshy leaves & glossy, slender-petalled flowers.  Spring & summer flowering. Full sun. Very waterwise. Tolerates some frost. Adaptable. Rockeries. Xeriscaping. Undemanding.
Dermatobotrys saundersii Deciduous. A small epiphytic subshrub with thickset, grey brown stems, thickly fibrus roots, fleshy, toothed leaves with reddish veins, tubular, waxy red flowers & fleshy brown fruits. Summer & winter flowering. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Coastal areas. Containers. Edible fruits.
Dietes bicolor Evergreen. A clumping, bulbous perennial with long, narrow, upright leaves & pretty yellow flowers with darker blotches on alternate petals. Spring & summer flowering. Full sun. Average water needs. Mass planting. Versatile. Undemanding. Moist locales.
Dietes grandiflora Evergreen. A clumping perennial with long, stiff, flabelliform leaves & dainty white, purple & yellow flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Full sun. Average water. Tolerates some frost. Rapidly multiplies to form large colonies. Versatile. Hardy. Moist locales.
Dimorphotheca fruticosa (=Osteospermum fructicosum) Evergreen. A creeping, mat-forming perennial with fleshy leaves & glossy ivory, violet centred flowers. Spring to autumn flowering. Full sun. Tolerates very mild frost only. Waterwise once established. Tolerates high temperatures. Resilient, showy in flower.
Dimorphotheca jucunda (=Osteospermum jucundum) Evergreen. A naturally compact, erect or rambling perennial with hairy, semi-fleshy leaves & deep purplish-red or pinkish-red flowers. Everblooming. Full sun for flowering but accepts shade. Tolerates frost. Waterwise. Ideal for exposed, dry areas.
Eucomis autumnalis Deciduous. A bulb with rosettes of waxy green leaves & compact, conical spikes of flowers in shades of yellow-green to white. Summer flowering. Tolerates some frost. Full sun. Average water needs. Decorative, long-lasting flowers. Focal feature. Low maintenance.
Ficus pumila Evergreen. A herbaceous to woody, climbing, self-clinging perennial liana or subshrub with dainty, heart-like, yellowish-orange to deep green leaves & yellow to red fruits. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Tolerates mild frost. Spreads rapidly once established. Neat. Decorative. Indoors.
Felicia amelloides ‘Alba’ Evergreen. A spreading, creeping, much-branched shrublet with soft, velvety green leaves & masses of aster-like white flowers. Everblooming. Water-wise. Tolerates some frost. Fast-growing. Undemanding. Tolerates most soils. Mass planting. Attracts insects.
Gazania krebsiana Evergreen. A tough, herbaceous, matt-forming perennial with rough, lobed, deep green leaves & striking, brillant orange flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Full sun. Water-wise. Adaptable. Tolerates most soils. Pioneer. Prolific flowering.
Gazania rigens Evergreen. A prostrate, trailing pernnial with silvery-blue leaves & brilliant, offten multi-coloured yellow flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Full sun. Tolerates light frost. Waterwise. Versatile, wind resistant. Coastal gardens.
Helichrysum cymosum Evergreen. A rambling or clump-forming groundcover with aromatic, silvery leaves & masses of golden-yellow flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Full sun. Waterwise. Accepts most soils. Coastal gardens. Hardy.
Hypoestes forskaolii Evergreen. An erectly growing perennial herb with pale green, velvety leaves & spikes of pretty, lobed, light pink or white flowers. Summer and autumn flowering. Accepts half sun. Frost tender. Average to low water needs. Hardy. Rockeries & containers.
Kleinia fulgens Evergreen. A compact, tuberous, creeping succulent perennial with sharp-tipped, silvery grey-green leaves & dainty, deep orange-red flower clusters. Everblooming. Accepts half sun. Water-wise. Containers. Rockeries. Indoors.
  Kalanchoe rotundifolia Evergreen. A dainty perennial succulent with lobed, pinkish green leaves & orange-yellow flowers that mature to red held aloft on slender stems. Autumn & winter flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Frost tender. Long-lived. Decorative.
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora Evergreen. A robust pernnial succulent with broad, bluish grey-green, red edged leaves and tall spiks of creamy, long-lasting flowers. Summer flowering. Full sun. Waterwise. Withstands high temperatures. Resilient, highly decorative, low miantenance.
Kalanchoe sexangularis Evergreen. A vigorously spreading, succulent, shrubby perennial with fleshy, toothed, red-green leaves,  lax greenish-brown stems,  spikes of tiny yellow flowers & brown, pappery seeds. Winter & spring flowering. Accepts half sun. Water-wise.  Frost tender. Tough. Rockeries. Pioneer.
Kniphofia linearifolia Evergreen. A stout, herbaceous perennial with soft, ligulate leaves & poker-shaped flowers in shades of vivid orange, yellow & red. Summer & autumn flowering. Full sun. Frost tender. Average to high water needs. Hardy. Versatile. Brilliant, long-lasting floral display.
Kniphofia praecox Evergreen. A robust, naturally clumping perennial with fim, strappy leaves & tall spikes bearing tubular, orange to yellow, nectar-laden flowers. Autumn & winter flowering. Full sun. Tolerates mild frost. High water needs. Wet sites. Mass planting.
Kniphofia rooperi Evergreen. A vigorous, compactly spreading perennial with deeply ridged, pale green leaves & orange-red to yellow-green, columnar flowers. Winter & spring flowering. Full sun. Average water needs. Coastal gardens. Moist locales. Mixed border.
Lamprantus coccineus Evergreen. A creeping, succulent perennial with long, fleshy leaves & glossy, brilliant purple-red flowers. Spring flowering. Full sun. Waterwise. Tolerates mild frost. Rockeries. Wind resistant. Mass planting. Requires pruning. Spectacular floral display.
Plectranthus cilliatus Evergreen. A most handsome, compact & prostrate perennial with hairy, colourful leaves with deep purple undersides & white, purple flecked flowers. Late summer, autumn & winter flowering. Prefers shade. Average to high water needs. Decorative. Containers. Year round interest.
Plectranthus madagascariensis ‘Lynne’ Evergreen. A sprawling, robust perennial with dark green, white edged leaves & spikes of dainty white flowers. Autumn flowering. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Tolerates frost. Undemanding. Foliage plant. Fragrant. Containers.
Plectranthus neochilus Evergreen. A neat, succulent-like, herbaceous perennial with attractive grey-green foliage & pretty blue-purple lobster-like flowers. Spring & summer flowering. Tolerates some frost. Waterwise. Aromatic folaige. Cover for difficult areas. Pest free.
Plectranthus verticillatus Evergreen. A mat-forming, herbaceous perennial with aromatic, semi-succulent leaves that have deep purple undersides & spikes of dainty pale lilac flowers. Autumn & winter flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Frost tender. Soil stabilization. Containers.
Portulacaria affra “Nana” Evergreen. A prostrately growing, dwarf hybrid with succulent, yellow-green leaves, red stems & small pink flowers. Summer flowering. Full sun. Waterwise. Tolerates mild frost. Versatile. Rockeries. Soil stabilization. Neat & manageable.
Rhoicissus tomentosa Evergreen. A trailing & climbing, robust, woody perennial liane with decorative, ivy-like, copper to green, velvety leaves, petite, buttery-green flowers & fleshy, globular, edible crimson to black fruits. Summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Average water needs. Attractive year round. Containers. Hedge/Screen.
Rumohra adiantiformis Evergreen. A handsome, rambling perennial fern with lustrous, tough & leatherlike, deep green leaves. Everblooming. Prefers half sun. Average to high water needs. Resilient. Tolerates mild frost. Long-lived. Containers. Ornamental.
Ruschia lineolata Evergreen. A neat, compact succulent perennial with narrow, fleshy leaves & brilliant pink & white flowers. Autumn & spring flowering. Accepts ahlf sun. Waterwise. Tolerates some frost. Undemanding. Coastal gardens. Versatile.
Sansevieria hyacinthoides Evergreen. A perennial with vigorous, uprightly growing, fibrous, deep green & white flecked leaves & spikes of creamy-green to pale purple flowers. Spring to autumn flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Indoors. Decorative foliage.
Sansevieria trifasciata Evergreen. A tough, spreading perennial with erect, narrow, fleshy green & white leaves, spikes of white flowers & orange fruits. Spring flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Indoors. Containers. Mass planting. Decorative foliage.
Sansevieria cylindrica Evergreen. A succulent perennial with firm, fleshy columnar, grey-green, striped leaves & fragrant, creamy, greenish-pink flowers. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Tolerates mild frost. Indoors. Containers. Adapatable. Decorative foliage.
Senecio ficoides Evergreen. A striking succulent perennial with erectly held, narrow, fleshy, silvery blue-grey leaves & inconspicuous creamy-white flowers. Summer flowering. Forms dense clusters. Full sun. Waterwise. Pest free. Versatile & decorative. Coastal gardens.
Senecio macroglossus Evergreen. A scrambling, often twiny, herbaceous perennial with atractive, glossy, semi-fleshy, aromatic leaves & large cheerfiul yellow flowers. Summer flowering. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Frost tender. Trim & elegant. Long-lived. Retaining walls.
Senecio tamoides Semi-evergreen. A robust, twining or scrambling, semi-succulent perennial with glossy, ivy-like foliage & masses of fragrant, golden-yellow flowers. Accepts half sun. Waterwise. Tolerates very mild frost only. Rockeries. Coastal gardens. Requires pruning.
Tubaghia violacae Evergreen. A clump-forming, bulbous perennial with tufts of narrow, silvery-green leaves & dainty, deep lilac flowers. Summer flowering. Full sun. Average water but tolerates drought. Frost & heat tolerant. Highly aromatic foliage. Edible. Mass planting. Fast-growing.