ground cover

The agency’s website includes a long list of acceptable plants, which, unlike many such sites, starts with a long list of California native shrubs, grasses and ground covers that Guerrero compiled.

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.

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

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.

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