ground cover

or groundcover

noun

1. the herbaceous plants and low shrubs in a forest, considered as a whole.
2. any of a variety of low-growing or trailing plants used to cover the ground in areas where grass is difficult to grow, as in dense shade or on steep slopes.

ground cover

noun

1. 1. dense low herbaceous plants and shrubs that grow over the surface of the ground, esp, in a forest, preventing soil erosion or, in a garden, stifling weeds
   2. ( as modifier )

      ground-cover plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of ground cover¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Permafrost ground covers roughly a quarter of the landmass in the Northern Hemisphere and stores tremendous quantities of organic carbon in the form of dead plant matter.

From Science Daily

“Over time, we are planting native ground covers and low grasses, punctuated with flowering plants,” she said.

From Seattle Times

They mingle with puffy red and fuchsia dahlias and purple phlox, as well as hydrangeas, sedum and Creeping Jenny, a ground cover that doubles as paths for strolling.

From Seattle Times

He recommends starting with small-sized plants that will establish more quickly, from ground covers to shrubs and trees for a layered effect.

From Seattle Times

The accuracy of climate models depends on many factors -- greenhouse gas emissions from industrial and transportation activity, farm animal "emissions," urban growth and loss of forests, and solar reflections off snow and ground cover.

From Science Daily