Whether you garden in sun or shade, there are myriad choices beyond English ivy when it comes to plants that cover the ground quickly and evenly.

There are perennial creepers and spreaders to create a carpet under shrubs and trees, cover a bank or fill in between stepping stones. In small gardens, mixing several types of groundcovers can create a beautiful tapestry.

ERICA GLASENER/Special (ENLARGE)

Golden creeping Jenny is a fast-spreading and versatile groundcover, thriving in wet or dry soil and doing well with light to moderate foot traffic.

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The groundcover Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue' is best suited for filling in between other plants, where it won't receive much foot traffic.

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Golden creeping speedwell

Erica Glasener is an Atlanta horticulturist and host of HGTV's "A Gardener's Diary," airing at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday on HGTV. Her column on landscape design appears biweekly. Write to her in care of AJC, P.O. Box 4689, Atlanta, GA 30302. Or go to ericaglasener.com.

Some groundcovers like golden creeping Jenny, Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea,' will thrive in wet or dry soils and tolerate light to moderate foot traffic, making it a good choice for between stones in a pathway or near a pond. One word of caution: In wet soils, it is an aggressive spreader and will quickly fill up whatever space there is.

Others like Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue' are better suited for areas with little or no foot traffic, such as between other perennials or as a groundcover for bulbs like daffodils and tulips. I just planted some in my garden with lavender and a chartreuse Veronica called golden creeping speedwell, or Veronica repens 'Sunshine.' I love the combination of blue and chartreuse.

For help in deciding which plants to use as creepers and spreaders, there is a program called Stepables that provides detailed information on its plant labels about what each requires. In addition to cultural requirements, a symbol of a foot indicates whether a plant can tolerate light, moderate or heavy foot traffic. It also recommends how far apart plants should be placed and offers a plant-spacing calculator at its Web site, www.stepables.com.

Here are a few creepers and spreaders to consider:

• Dwarf bugleweed, Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip': This small-leaved ajuga grows 3 to 6 inches high, with chocolate-chip colored foliage and spikes of blue flowers in spring and fall. Makes a good evergreen groundcover for areas that are part sun or shade, under trees or shrubs.

• Blue star creeper, Isotoma fluviatilis: Forming a tight mat, it hugs the ground and tolerates a good bit of foot traffic. Tiny blue star-like flowers appear in spring and then off and on in summer. Great between steppingstones or under shrubs.

• Creeping raspberry, Rubus calycinoides (also known as R. pentalobus): With wrinkled, round green leaves that turn shades of burgundy in winter, this tough spreader puts out roots wherever its stem touches soil. Effective on a bank or slope in full sun or part shade.

• John Creech sedum, Sedum spurium 'John Creech': This creeping sedum forms a tight mat and sounds promising for hot, dry spots. The dark green foliage turns shades of red in the fall, and the light pink flowers are a bonus.

ERICA'S PICK

Golden creeping speedwell

Botanical name: Veronica repens 'Sunshine'

About the plant: This chartreuse creeper has bluish-white flowers in summer. It hugs the ground and grows 4 to 8 inches tall.

Use in the garden: Plant this groundcover with others, between paving stones or under shrubs. It also looks good paired with blue flowers.

Planting and care: Plant in part shade in moist, well-drained soil.

Source: Habersham Gardens, 2067 Manchester St. N.E., 404-873-2484.

Erica Glasener is an Atlanta horticulturist and host of HGTV's "A Gardener's Diary," airing at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday on HGTV. Her column on landscape design appears biweekly. Write to her in care of AJC, P.O. Box 4689, Atlanta, GA 30302. Or go to ericaglasener.com.