• Peruvian verbena grows in hot, dry sites such as rock gardens.Verbena image by CarlosNeto from Fotolia.com
  
  Ground cover plants help protect the soil, conserve moisture and control weeds. In hot, dry climates they cool the landscape as they spread over bare soil. Most ground cover plants are shallow-rooted and struggle in the dry heat of summer when less moisture is available. However, there are ground cover plants that are appropriate for planting in hot climates.
  
  

Two-row Stonecrop

• Two-row stonecrop (Sedum spurium) is a succulent semi-evergreen ground cover that grows to 6 inches tall. The most popular variety is called "Dragon's Blood" because of the red flowers produced in the summer. The "Red Carpet" variety has red leaves and flowers. Two-row stonecrop grows in the poorest soils exposed to hot and dry conditions. It is tolerant of heat and cold weather in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8.
  
  

Creeping Thyme

• Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is a good choice for a ground cover in hot climates and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8. It produces small pink or purple flowers in mid summer. The foliage is aromatic when crushed. Creeping thyme grows to a maximum height of 6 inches.
  
  

Black Foot Daisy

• Black foot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum) grows with little water in full or part sun. It has dark green leaves and spreads by underground rhizomes forming 1-foot- tall clumps. The black foot daisy blooms in the spring. It produces white daisy-shaped flowers with yellow centers on strong stems, and is appropriate for planting in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9.
  
  

Peruvian Verbena

• Peruvian verbena (Verbena peruviana) is appropriate for planting in hot, dry sites in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 10. It grows less than 1 foot tall, but spreads quickly. Peruvian verbena blooms over a long period during the summer and is available in pink, red, white and lavender. It is often used as a container plant in sunny locations.
  
  

Mondo Grass

• Mondo grass (Ophiopogan japonicus) grows to 1 foot tall and has dark green, clumping, grassy foliage. It produces purple or pink flowers, depending on the variety, followed by dark purple berries. It has a dense growth habit and spreads rapidly under ideal conditions. Mondo Grass performs well in dry shade where most ground covers struggle. It is appropriate for USDA hardiness zones 6 through 10.