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Creepers

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Creeping phlox picture.

Creeping phlox picture.

David Beaulieu
Definition:

Creeping plants or "creepers" are viny plants that generally grow close to the ground. In cases where their vines are long enough and you wish to have them climb a structure, they need to be artificially guided and secured to a support (trained), if they are to achieve any significant height (compare: "climbers"). For instance, you could tie the vines to the structure loosely with twine. Even some plants that tend naturally to grow more upright often need such help.

But many creepers are smaller plants and are allowed simply to crawl on their bellies along the ground as ground covers. Examples include:

These three examples are flowering ground covers; the first two, in particular, can furnish dynamic color displays. Note, however, that creeping jenny is an invasive in North America; to keep it "within bounds," grow it in hanging baskets.

Also Known As: creeping vines, trailing plants, procumbent plants
Examples:
I selected a creeper to use as my ground cover, because I wanted a plant that would stay short.

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