North Carolina Evergreen Ground Cover for Plants

North Carolina is located in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 and 8 except for a very small strip along the western edge of the state that is in zone 6. Evergreen ground cover plants in North Carolina must be able to withstand the winter weather there. In zone 8 that means temperatures down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, but in zone 6 that means temperatures down to -10 degrees F. Before selecting a plant at a garden store, ask a salesperson if the plant is hardy in your zone.

Full-shade areas are those that do not receive any direct sunlight. This is common in landscaped areas along the foundation on the north side of a house or building. Periwinkle is an evergreen that is well-suited for just such a location in North Carolina. Greater or big leaf periwinkle (Vinca major) grows between 12 and 18 inches tall and produces pale purple-blue 1 1/2-inch flowers. Lesser or dwarf periwinkle grows up to 6 inches tall and produces lavender-blue 1-inch flowers. Wojo's Gem is a big-leaf periwinkle cultivar that has variegated foliage with pale yellow centers and dark green edges. Greater periwinkle is hardy in zones 7 to 9, while lesser periwinkle is hardy in zones 4 to 8.

A partially shady location is shaded from the sun for at least half of the day. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is an evergreen perennial ground cover that grows well in North Carolina in partial shade. It is winter-hardy in zones 3 to 9. The plants grow between 3 and 6 inches tall and bloom from late spring to early summer depending on the cultivar. The flowers are blue or purple and bloom in small bunches atop 6- to 10-inch stems. Throughout the remainder of the year these plants brighten the landscape with their colorful foliage. The Atropurpurea cultivar has glossy green to bronze-burgundy foliage. The Burgundy Glow cultivar has tricolor white, pink and green foliage.

Dianthus, also referred to as cheddar pinks, are evergreen perennial ground cover plants that grow well in North Carolina gardens with full-sun exposure. A minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day is considered full-sun exposure. The cultivar Firewitch grows to a mature height of 3 to 6 inches and width of 6 to 12 inches. The foliage is deep blue and resembles fine, narrow blades of grass. It produces bright magenta, 1-inch-diameter flowers. Bath's Pink is a slightly taller cultivar that can grow 1 foot tall and wide. The fine grass-like foliage is blue-green and the flowers are light pink. Dianthus plants are hardy in zones 3 to 8.

Xeric plants are drought-tolerant plants that generally prefer dry, sandy soil and full-sun exposure. Xeriscaping is landscaping with xeric or drought-tolerant plants that do not normally require extra water once they get established. Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) is a needled evergreen ground cover shrub that is winter-hardy in zones 3 to 9 and well-suited to North Carolina xeriscaping. It grows to a height of 6 to 18 inches and a width of 4 to 10 feet depending on the cultivar. The Wiltonii cultivar forms a dense silver-blue mat that's 4 to 6 inches tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. The Bar Harbor cultivar is blue-gray and slightly taller, reaching a mature height of 12 inches and width of 6 to 8 feet. Both cultivars turn slightly burgundy in the winter.