There is never a good time for a garden to be without a comprehensive cover of foliage blanketing the ground. Whether faced with a cold winter, fierce summer sun, drought, wind, or torrential rains, the right plant cover can keep the garden intact, and add beauty and year-round interest while performing these duties.

Many perennials and bulbs ‘cover’ the ground effectively and are often included in this plant category, but, for this article, we focus...