38 Full Sun Ground Covers for Zone 4 (Best Choices)

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There’s no shortage of full-sun ground covers for zone 4 climates! Each plant in this list can withstand the frigid temperatures and also enjoy the hot sun in summer.

Full sun means that a plant is in a position that receives 6-8 hours or more of direct sun. Most plants, particularly ones that love to flower and fruit, will require this at a minimum to thrive! Many of these options will also grow well in partial shade (4-6 hours of direct sunlight).

Since you’re in zone 4, you can also grow any of the sun-loving ground covers from zone 3!

For more ground cover choices, see: 34 Full Sun Ground Covers for Zone 3 (Best Choices)

Ready to plant a unique yard? My intention with this list is to bring you plant choices beyond the popular picks. As we expand the types of plants we grow, we encourage more local diversity. As long as you avoid plants known to be invasive in your area, the more variety you plant, the more resilient your garden will be!

To use this long list to your best advantage, might I suggest, you scroll through and write down your favorites. From your list of favorites, prioritize the ones that are most appropriate for the environment you’re offering.

Here are the best full-sun ground covers for zone 4 climates:

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow is a fast-growing ground cover and offers a lot of value in functional gardens. Ornamental gardens welcome this plant as well— from June to August you’ll enjoy flowers. Flowers come in various colors but the most common is white. The foliage is dark, soft, textured like feathers, and wisps with the wind.

• Height: 2-3 feet
• Range: Native to Europe and Asia
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Dynamic accumulator and ornamental ground cover. Medicinal and edible value. Attracts pollinators and is used as a companion. Green manure. Fragrant. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil and is drought tolerant. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay or poor soils.

See the vast yarrow color selection here from Nature Hills Nursery.

Catsfoot (Antennaria dioica)

Pussy toes are like soft sedums. They grow well in full sun, and well-drained conditions, and love sandy soils.

This ground cover tolerates light foot traffic and is generally low maintenance.

The foliage on this ground cover is also evergreen.

• Height: 2-8 inches
• Range: Native to Asia
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Sun-love and lightly walkable ground cover. Evergreen ground coverage. Low maintenance. Flowers.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist well-drained soil and tolerates droughts. Grows in light sandy soils with or without organic matter.

Buy catsfoot seeds here on Etsy.

Rock Cress (Arabis caucasica)

If you have poor soil, rock cress is the ground cover for you. Even better, is it has edible leaves—whether you eat them or not, this plant is multifunctional and beautiful.

This ground cover thrives in a full sun position. It can grow in partial sun, however, it tends to get leggy and lose its lushness.

• Height: 6-12 inches
• Range: Native to Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-9
• Functions: Edible and ornamental ground cover. Attracts pollinators. Rock gardens.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist well-drained soils and tolerates droughts. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay.

Nature Hills Nursery offers rock cress with burgundy flowers here. Otherwise, shop a wider color selection here on Etsy.

White Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana)

If your area is prone to drought, this is an excellent choice even among ‘drought tolerant’ options. Once established, white sage withstands severe droughts like nothing is going on—a perfect addition to a sunny low-maintenance garden.

The pale yet bright-colored foliage is an attractive contrast in ornamental gardens.

• Height: 2-3 feet
• Range: Native to North America
• Climate: Zones 4-9
• Functions: Fragrant. Scent confuser. Deer resistant. Ornamental contrast. Edible and flavorful seeds.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil and tolerates drought. Grows in light or medium soil textures.

Plants are available to order here.

Golden Alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis)

This gorgeous ground cover needs the sun as bright as its flowers! the carpeting habit of this plant is great for rock gardens, cascading effects, and a dense look.

Another plant that thrives without rich soil—choose this plant if you have poor soil to offer.

• Height: 6-12 inches
• Range: Native to Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-10
• Functions: Ornamental and easy-care ground cover. Attracts pollinators. Fragrant flowers.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist well-drained soil and tolerates droughts. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay. Suitable for poor soils.

Plants are available to order here.

Downy wood mint (Blephilia ciliata)

Most mints love full sun. Downy wood mint is particularly more drought resistant which is an asset to any full sun garden. Drought-tolerant plants are generally low maintenance as watering isn’t required once established.

If you have a waterlogged area in the sun, this is not the right choice for you. Well-drained soil is key for thriving wood mint.

• Height: 1-2 feet
• Range: Native to North America
• Climate: Zones 4-7
• Functions: Fragrant, edible, and deer-resistant ground cover. Attracts pollinators. Scent confuser to deter pests.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist well-drained soil. Tolerates drought. Grows in light or medium soil textures.

Seeds are available to order here.

Scotch Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Heather is a highly useful plant! The branches, rootstock, and pigments have been used for a large variety of things such as basket-making, instruments, cut flowers, bedding, brooms, ropes, dyes and more!

These days, heather makes a good edging ground cover for acidic gardens with adequate sunlight. It grows best in full sun but tolerates a little less.

With a trimming each spring, they will stay lush and compact.

• Height: 8-20 inches
• Range: Native to Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-7
• Functions: Edible and multi-functional ground cover.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil. Grows in light or medium soil textures and is suitable for acidic areas. Grows well in marshy soil but best in well-drained positions.

Order scotch heather seeds here.

Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Do you have arbors? This vine trails along the ground or climbs with limbs reaching between 20-40 feet in length!

If you need to cover lots of areas quickly, this is a good choice. This vine can weave between taller plantings and fill in the gaps of bare ground. In late summer you’ll be greeted with gorgeous trumpet flowers. It will, however, climb when the opportunity arises.

• Height: 12-36 inches
• Range: Native to North America
• Climate: Zones 4-10
• Functions: Ornamental and fast-growing ground cover.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Moist soil.

Order various colored trumpet vine plants here.

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

This is the plant of the tea we drink for its calming effects! Chamomile, the bedtime tea. We plant this in full sun where it thrives and we harvest endless flowers for year-round home-grown tea.

This plant is considered semi-evergreen and can be used as a functional ground cover in a variety of conditions.

Chamomile is pleasantly fragrant and looks like mini daisies!

• Height: 3-6 inches
• Range: Native to Europe and Africa
• Climate: Zones 4-9
• Functions: Edible and ornamental ground cover. Dynamic accumulator. Scent confuser. Fragrant.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist well-drained soil. Tolerates droughts. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay, and poor, lifeless soils.

Order seeds here.

Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium alternifolium)

If you’re after low-growing ground covers this is one of several great options. You’ll need a moist to wet full sun position for this one.

This multi-functional plant not only offers a pop of color and texture to the landscape but has edible leaves, too!

• Height: 2-6 inches
• Range: Native to Asia and Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Edible and ornamental ground cover.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun.
• Soil preferences: Wet or moist soil. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay and acidic soils.

Search and order seeds here.

• Chrysosplenium oppositifolium

• Chrysosplenium alternifolium

Pink tickseed (Coreopsis rosea)

Pink tickseed has a dense growth habit and grows quite fast. Although it’s a cute clump in the picture, it’ll fill in larger spaces in no time.

If you have a sunny spot to offer with light to medium soil (no clay) then this is a great candidate for you.

the dainty foliage and flowers offer contrast against larger-leaved and darker plants in your garden.

• Height: 1-2 feet
• Range: Native to North America
• Climate: Zones 4-9
• Functions: Fast-growing, mat-forming, and ornamental ground cover. Attracts birds.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry, wet, or moist soil. Grows in light or medium soil textures.

Order this plant here.

Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia)

In need of compost? This is an excellent green manure crop that can also make a great ground cover. It’s often used in a sunny position of a food forest to cover lots of ground at a quick pace.

While very easy, this isn’t meant to be the lowest maintenance ground cover ever due to its function. This, and other nitrogen fixers, function best when grown for the span of their life (short, medium, or long times) and are terminated and thrown in the compost pile or on the ground to return to the soil.

Nitrogen fixers restore needed nutrients (such as nitrogen!) into the soil for other plants to thrive beyond their life.

• Height: 12 inches
• Range: Native to Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-9
• Functions: Fast-growing. Nitrogen fixer. Erosion control. Attracts pollinators.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay, poor lifeless soils, and seashore positions.

Seeds are available to order here.

Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)

Sea kale offers gorgeous edible leaves. It is, however, a slow-growing plant.

It grows best in a sunny position with plenty of well-drained moisture. The young tender leaves taste and feel wonderful. It isn’t like other kale! You can eat the leaves, roots, shoots, and flowers.

• Height: 30-36 inches
• Range: Native to Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Edible and ornamental ground cover.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil and tolerates drought. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay and even lifeless poor soils.

Seeds take a while to establish but are more available than plants. Order here to grow this wonderful kale!

Cornish heath (Erica vagans)

This vibrant plant is either showing itself as lime green or bright pink! It thrives in poor soil, a bright sunny position, and tolerates wind exposure.

It does not fair well against droughts, however, and dislikes bone-dry soils. A good mulching may prevent the soil around it from drying too quickly, especially in windier positions.

• Height: 30 inches
• Range: Native to Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Ground cover. Food for butterflies. Attracts pollinators. Windbreak.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Moist soil is best. Grows in light or medium soil textures and is suitable for poor soil.

Plants are available to order here and seeds here.

blue spring daisy (Erigeron pulchellus)

A perfect ground cover for open sunny spaces. Perhaps a fill for a meadow.

Blue Spring daisy tolerates heat and humidity very well but requires well-draining soil.

• Height: 2 feet
• Range: Native to North America
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Nectar source for pollinators. Ornamental ground cover.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun.
• Soil preferences: Moist soil. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay or poor lifeless soils.

Seeds may be found here.

Strawberry (Fragaria)

You might not think ‘strawberry’ when you think ‘ground cover.’ It turns out though, that strawberries make great ground covers and of course, they are edible!

They have the cutest foliage and the most delicious berries. And in an open sunny space, you’ll have plenty of fresh-picked and pesticide-free fruit!

• Height: 3-8 inches
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: 
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Moist soil is best. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay.

You can grow any type of strawberry so long as it’s hardy to zone 4. Some strawberry varieties may need at least zone 5. So be sure to select an appropriate variety before investing.

Order from a large selection of plants and varieties here.

Broom (Genista tinctoria)

Broom is a common ground cover choice for full-sun gardens. Its beauty and multi-functions make it a practical choice.

It feeds both you and its plant friends with edible qualities and nitrogen-fixing capabilities.

• Height: 2-3 feet
• Range: Native to Asia and Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-7
• Functions: A low windbreak. Nitrogen fixer. Edible ornamental. Attracts bees. Rabbit trap-crop (they like to eat this plant).
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil. Grows in light or medium soil textures and is suitable for poor, lifeless soils.

Plants are available to order here.

Dumortier’s daylily (Hemerocallis dumortieri)

Day lilies in general are edible from ‘head to toe. Some varieties are tastier with better textures than others.

The plant has grassy-like foliage and shoots up fresh flowers every day during its bloom period.

Each bloom opens and lasts for a day as new ones are preparing to show next. I love eating blooms before they open the next day. They have a lovely texture.

• Height: 2 feet
• Range: Native to Asia
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: All parts are edible and similar to asparagus in texture from shoot to flower but with a sweet taste. Gorgeous and easy-growing ornamental with big flowers. Erosion control. Often planted in masses or clumps. Low maintenance and easy care.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay.

Some other varieties that grow well in zone 4 include:

• Yellow Day Lily (Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus)
• Amur daylily (Hemerocallis middendorffii)

Endless varieties and colors are available to order here.

Rupture Wort (Herniaria glabra)

Rupture wort is a very popular carpeting ground cover used to fill all the nooks and crannies exposed to full sun. It grows well even in the tough combination of hot, dry, and very poor soil.

Often planted between paving stones or in rock gardens.

• Height: 2-3 inches
• Range: Native to Asia and Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Low-growing filler ground cover. Moss substitute. Rock gardens. Wind tolerant.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil. Grows in light or medium soil textures. Droughts tolerant.

Order seeds here.

Rock Geranium (Heuchera americana)

Rock geranium prefers full sun but consistently moist and well-drained soil. If you’ve got a well-watered spot, this is a good (and beautiful) choice.

• Height: 2-3 feet
• Range: Native to North America
• Climate: Zones 4-9
• Functions: Ground cover used in food forests, woodland gardens, native gardens, cut flower gardens, and showy ornamental gardens.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Moist well-drained soil. Grows in light or medium soil textures.

Order here.

Hosta (hosta)

Hosta. One of the most popular ground cover plants. They come in endless varieties. Easy to care for. Does well in all ranges of sun. Does best with added compost and mulch to retain moisture.

• Height: 1-2 feet
• Range: Native to Asia
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Edible and ornamental ground cover.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun.
• Soil preferences: Moist soil. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay.

See and order from the large selection here—be mindful of zone and sunlight tolerance between varieties.

 Sweet iris (Iris pallida)

Iris is a classic beauty but not often thought of to use as a ground cover. This species grows relatively vigorously, especially in full sun. Another option with grass-style foliage.

Fun fact: the fragrance of this plant is used to make essential oils, specifically, orris oil.

• Height: 2-3 feet
• Range: Native to Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-10
• Functions: Ornamental ground cover for rock gardens. Attracts pollinators. Fragrant. Scent confuser. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil and tolerates droughts. Grows in light or medium soil textures.

This and other irises are available to order here.

Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)

Creeping juniper is a popular evergreen ground cover as it is low maintenance and not consumed by pests. It also fills in larger spaces with lush year-round green with minimal effort.

• Height: 6-18 inches
• Range: Native to North America
• Climate: Zones 4-9
• Functions: Ornamental evergreen ground cover. Deer and rabbit-resistant. A windbreak even for seashores. Scent confuser.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist well-drained soil and drought tolerant. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay.

Several textures and shades of creeping juniper are available to order here.

Creeping liriope (Liriope spicata)

Liriope plants are grassy-looking ground covers that grow in clumps and offer heat-loving deer and rabbit resistance. They often have purple or blue flower spikes from summer to fall.

• Height: 9-15 inches
• Range: Asia
• Climate: Zone 4-10
• Functions: Very low maintenance and pests resistant ground cover ground cover. Often used to fill in the gaps of gardens. Edible qualities.
• Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade.
• Soil preferences: Well-drained or moist soils. Heat and drought tolerant.

Several varieties and coloring are available here.

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Various kinds of creeping jenny provide gorgeous ground coverage. Pictured, is bright yellow known by ‘Aurea.’ The one known by Lysimachia nummularia ‘green’ also has vibrant foliage but of a bright green shade of color.

The rounded leaves make this a popular ground cover that brightens the dark of any shade. This low-grower tolerates foot-traffic.

• Height: 3-6 inches.
• Range: Native to Europe.
• Climate: Zones 4-9.
• Functions: Ornamental ground cover flowering from June to August but provides attractive evergreen foliage. Low maintenance. Easy to grow.
• Light requirements: Partial shade is preferred. Also grows well in bright full shade. Tolerates dense full shade and will grow toward brighter areas.
• Soil preferences: Moist, boggy, or wet soil. Suitable for heavy clay.

Potted plants or seeds are available.

Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens)

This small trailing plant grows well in full sun as long as moisture is available. A mulched soil will allow this cute and edible ground cover to flourish. It offers the cutest foliage and creeps between taller nearby plants.

• Height: 1-2 feet
• Range: Native to North America
• Climate: Zones 4-9
• Functions: Edible and native low-growing ground cover. Fragrant. Scent-confuser.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Moist soil. Grows in light or medium soil textures. Suitable for acidic soils.

Seeds may be available here.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Oregano loves a sunny position and offers cute dense-growing foliage. Not only is it edible, but can be made into a powerful essential oil.

• Height: 1-3 feet
• Range: Native to Asia and Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-10
• Functions: Edible ground cover. Wind tolerant. Attracts pollinators. Dynamic accumulator. Fragrant scent-confuser.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist well-drained soil. Grows in light or heavy soil textures.

You could also entertain Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum)

Several types of oregano are available to order here.

Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis fruticosa)

If you’d like a trimmable ground cover, Jerusalem sage thrives in a sunny position. It must, however, be sheltered from excessive winds. Other than optional trimming, it’s relatively low maintenance as keeps around 4 feet in height.

• Height: 4 feet
• Range: Native to Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-7
• Functions: Dense-growing upright ground cover. Fragrant hedge.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist well-drained soil and drought tolerant. Grows in light or heavy soil textures.

Seeds are available to order here.

Moss phlox (Phlox subulata)

Moss phlox is a popular flowering ground cover for full sun positioning. It’s highly adaptable to various conditions, grows fast, and looks great.

• Height: 4-6 inches.
• Range: Native to North America
• Climate: Zone 3-9
• Functions: Erosion control. Soil building. dense ground coverage. Ornamental flowers from April to May.
• Light requirements: Partial shade to light shade or full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil.

A wide variety of colors to choose from here.

Drumstick Primula (Primula denticulata)

Drumstick primulas are another popular choice among ornamental gardens and it so happens that they thrive in partial shade. For anyone with moist or wet shade with hard soil, drumstick primulas are perfect. Avoid planting this ground cover in dry or loose soils.

• Height: 8-12 inches
• Range: Asia
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Ornamental and edible for rock gardens, wet or soggy areas, flower gardens, wild gardens, and north-facing situations.
• Light requirements: Full/deep shade to partial shade.
• Soil preferences: Moist or wet soil and suitable for clay or heavy clay.

The “drumstick” part of the name highlights the flowers of this plant. You can get red, purple, pink, lavender, yellow, white, multicolored, blue, and more! See selection.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria saccharata)

Fun fact, if you have a walnut that nothing grows under, plant lungwort! They thrive in all light conditions from full to partial shade and aren’t affected by the anti-plant chemical that black walnut trees produce.

• Height: 12-18 inches
• Range: Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Accompanied by purple flowers, the spotted semi-evergreen leaves are rough with coarse hairs. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid the plant for its texture. This ground cover is best used as a pest-deterring ornamental.
• Light requirements: Full/deep shade to partial shade or full sun.
• Soil preferences: Moist soil is ideal but tolerates drought.

Nature Hills Nursery currently offers 4 types of lungwort.

Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris)

A very ornamental sun-loving ground cover for flower lovers.

• Height: 9-12 inches
• Range: Native to Asia and Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Ornamental flowering ground cover.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist well-drained soil and drought tolerant. Grows in light or medium soil textures.

See the selection and order here.

Common rue (Ruta graveolens)

Rue is often used as a companion plant—for garlic, as an example. But unlike garlic, it thrives in partial shade and grows in poor soils.

• Height: 2-3 feet
• Range: Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-10
• Functions: Used a scent confuser to prevent pest damage in food forests and vegetable gardens. Also grows easily in rock gardens.
• Light requirements: Partial shade.
• Soil preferences: Moist or dry soil and tolerates drought.

Seeds are available here.

Dwarf elderberry (Sambucus ebulus)

A fruit-producing and fast-growing ground cover. Ample sunlight is required for good fruit production. Elderberries offer nutritious fruit to eat and interesting foliage to look at.

• Height: 3-4 feet
• Range: Native to Asia
• Climate: Zones 3-10
• Functions: Fast-growing flowering ground cover. Edible fruit. Fragrant flowers.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist well-drained soil. Grows in light or heavy soil textures.

This is most likely available at a local nursery. Call and ask before making the trip out or shop online nurseries to find a dwarf variety.

Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)

Soapwort looks nice and can be used to make soap! It can grow fast and vigorously. But if it does get out of hand, boil up a few plants for some soap.

• Height: 1-3 feet
• Range: Native to Asia and Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Ornamental garden, rock garden, and food forest ground cover. Fragrance. Soap-making.
• Light requirements: Full sun or partial sun
• Soil preferences: Moist soil. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay.

Order soapwort plants here.

Common Stonecrop (Sedum acre)

Sedums are generally very easy to grow. In sunny positions, they remain lush and tolerate the heat and dry spells very well once established.

• Height: 3 inches
• Range: Native to Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-9
• Functions: Low-growing and drought-tolerant ground cover. Edible.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil and drought tolerant. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for poor soil and seashores.

Other zone 4 option: Sedum kamtschaticum

See and order a dozen zone 4 sedums here.

Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens)

Often used as a lawn alternative or cover crop in high-turn-over gardens, White Dutch clover is a great ground cover. Pollinators love the flowers and it requires a full sun position.

Clovers are also legumes that fix nitrogen and offer plenty of nutrients when composted or eaten.

• Height: 4 inches
• Range: Native to Asia and Europe
• Climate: Zones 4-8
• Functions: Edible low-growing ground cover. Green manure. Dynamic accumulator. Attracts pollinators. Nitrogen fixer. Animal feed.
• Light requirements: Full sun.
• Soil preferences: Dry or moist soil. Grows in light or heavy soil textures and is suitable for heavy clay and poor soils.

This ground cover is grown from seed very quickly. Order seeds here.

Wood Violet (Viola odorata)

Violets, in general, are popular shade-loving covers in all sorts of gardens and food forests as they are edible, considered dynamic accumulators, and are evergreen.

The sweet scent of the ‘odorata’ violet is also useful for making perfumes or as a fresh salad topping.

• Height: 6-10 inches
• Range: Europe, Africa, and Asia
• Climate: Zones 4-9
• Functions: Ornamental and edible ground cover for borders, rocky gardens, food forests, woodland gardens, and more.
• Light requirements: Full or partial shade.
• Soil preferences: Moist soil

This specific variety of violet is available from seed here. They are relatively easy to establish with weeding in year one.

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