When you think “lawn,” turfgrass usually comes to mind. But in Florida’s sandy soils and blazing sun, traditional lawns can be tough to maintain. Enter groundcovers: low-growing plants that spread to fill space, cut down on mowing, and add texture and color to your landscape. They offer a practical alternative for homeowners looking to simplify maintenance while still achieving a full, finished look.
Why groundcovers work
Groundcovers do more than just replace grass. They help conserve water, prevent erosion, and suppress weeds, all while adding visual interest. They’re often more resilient than turfgrass in problem areas like slopes, shaded corners, or narrow side yards where mowing is difficult. Once established, many varieties require far less upkeep, making them a smart long-term solution for Florida landscapes.
Top picks for Florida
Some varieties perform especially well in North Florida conditions. Asiatic jasmine is hardy, evergreen, and tough as nails. Perennial peanut thrives in sandy soil and produces bright yellow blooms. Liriope works well for edging beds or filling in shady patches. Sunshine mimosa, a native favorite, spreads quickly and adds soft pink powder-puff flowers. Coontie, another native, brings a structured, fern-like look that fits well in both traditional and modern designs.
How to use them
Groundcovers are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Replace turf in small or hard-to-mow areas, create a living mulch under trees, or line walkways for clean, low-maintenance edging. They can also be used to soften transitions between spaces and tie different parts of your landscape together.
Planting tips
Start with well-prepared soil by mixing in compost to improve structure and nutrient availability. Water deeply at planting to help roots establish, and apply a light layer of mulch to retain moisture. Spacing is important — planting too far apart can leave gaps, while closer spacing helps achieve quicker coverage. Once rooted, most groundcovers become incredibly low-maintenance and require minimal attention.
Liberty offers a wide selection of groundcovers in flats, 1-gallon, and 3-gallon sizes — making it easy to fill in spaces efficiently and get the look you want faster.
Liberty Landscape Supply is Northeast Florida’s full-service garden center and landscape partner with four retail locations serving Jacksonville (North Main Street and San Jose Boulevard), Fernandina Beach, and St. Augustine, plus delivery across the region. From plants, trees, sod, soil, mulch, rock, and gravel to hardscapes, pottery, lighting, irrigation, design support, and expert advice, Liberty helps homeowners and pros plan, shop, and install with confidence — making landscape projects easy.
To learn more, visit www.libertylandscapesupply.com.
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Veda@libertylandscapesupply.com
