@lisa252--It would greatly help to know where you are in middle Georgia. Being near Macon is different than being near Savannah or Columbus.

Other than that, are parts of your yard always in sun and parts always in shade?

Best Wishes--Carl
NE Atlanta ITP

I am in Macon and yes, half is always in sun, half in shade. I'd appreciate any help. thanks

@lisa252

I had a fairly extensive list made up for you last night, but it did not post when I submitted it and was lost. I'll work on it again tonight if I get out of the office at a reasonable time. Best Wishes--Carl
Atlanta, GA

Thank you so much Carl! That is so sweet of you to go to so much trouble:)

Let's try this again--

With one exception, which I have noted, all the groundcovers listed below will need only periodic watering once established. Also, with one noted exception (the same plant), all are rated to be hardy well south of your area (the exception is rated only through your area--zone 8). None of those listed, to the best of my knowledge, are invasive. Other notes have been added as appropriate.

FOR USE IN SHADE

Spotted Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
Lily Turf (Liriope muscari)--best as a border
Periwinkle (Vinca)--large (major) or small (minor)
Phlox (Phlox subulata)

FOR USE IN SUN OR SHADE--Good for areas that will be in both

Blue Lungwort (Pulmonaria augustifolia)--this is the one rated through Zone 8, Once established, it needs very little periodic watering.
Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus)
Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida)
Mondo Grass (Ophiopogan japonicus)--Best as a border

FOR USE IN SUN

Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)
Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosis)
Woolly Yarrow (Achillea tomentosa)

There are others that will grow in your area I am sure.

My suggestion is to research these, decide what you may want to use, then post on the "Groundcovers" part of this forum a statement that goes something like "I'm in zone 8 near Macon, GA and I'm thinking about planting XXX in the sunny parts of my yard and YYY in the shady parts. What do you think?" You'll probably get a lot of responses.

One final thing--DO NOT plant English Ivy. Trust me on this.

Best Wishes--Carl
Atlanta, GA
ITP

This post was edited by ApprenticeGardener on Thu, Apr 4, 13 at 21:06

thank you so much Carl. don't worry about the ivy-I detest it. I appreciate your help!

Carl--I have enjoyed looking at your landscaping and the progress you are making. You have sooooo much ivy. Are you sure you don't like it? ;c)

You should be able to give us a tutorial on how to get rid of it.

@frankielynn

I've had success in the past with partial uprooting and Roundup and with mowing (in areas where the mowed particles will fall into Ivy and not on other plantings)and Roundup. Since I have so much, I'm going to try these and some other methods to see what works best.

Thanks for the kind comments on the landscaping so far.

Best Wishes--Carl
Atlanta, GA

Carl, how do I see your landscaping pics too?

@lisa 252

They are in another post on this part (Georgia Gardener) of the forum entitled "A Once and Future Georgia Garden". Thanks for your interest.

Best Wishes--Carl
Atlanta, GA
ITP