Shrubs & Groundcovers
Covers A-B
From a design perspective, shrubs and ground covers are the walls and boundaries of the yard. But they can also be focal points.
From a wildlife perspective, they provide habitat. They also hold organic debris to the ground which enriches the soil as they grow. Most of these plants will service wildlife in other ways too—as nectar plants, larval host plants, and more.
When selecting plants, pay attention to the eventual dimensions, cold hardiness, and other needs the plant has, so that you are putting the right plant in the right place.
Photo of Acaciella angustissima, prairie acacia, by Mike Plagens, iNaturalist

The Genus Abutilon

Prairie Acacia (Acaciella angustissima)

Thurber's Desertpeony (Acourtia thurberi)

Brownfoot (Acourtia wrightii)

The Genus Aloysia

The Ragweeds (Ambrosia spp)

False Indigobush (Amorpha fruticosa)

The Desert Honeysuckles (Anisacanthus spp)

False Velvetleaf (Anoda abutiloides)

Wormwoods (Artemisia spp)

Milkweeds (Asclepias spp)

Saltbushes (Atriplex spp)

The Genus Baccharis

Parish Goldeneye (Bahiopsis parishii)

Willow Ragwort (Barkleyanthus salicifolia)

Sweetbush (Bebbia juncea)

The Genus Berberis

Firecracker Bush (Bouvardia ternifolia)

The Genus Brickellia

Woolly Butterfly Bush (Buddleja marrubifolia)

Rio Grande Butterfly Bush (Buddleia sessiliflora)
