Small and large, dark-green, lobed leaves on a tightly clinging vine used unsuspectingly to cover brick walls, or sheds or as ground cover beneath trees. Without pruning control, it smothers everything, debilitates trees and sets large quantities of seed.

These fast growing ground covers have mainly toothbrush style flowers which occur in spring and autumn. They grow approximately 30cm high x 2m across and are frost tolerant. They will grow over banks or hang down walls and attracts nectar-feeding birds. Ask at your garden centre for the selected forms of 'Gaudi Chaudi', 'Royal Mantle' and 'Bedspread'.

This is a popular and generally hardy garden plant which is widely grown. The pea shape flowers appear in winter and spring and are usually violet in colour but pink and white forms are also available. It is adaptable to most soils and aspects although sunnier positions produce better flowering. Given the wide range of the species, forms from drier areas may not be vigorous in tropical areas. Ask at your local garden centre for the best varieties to suit your local area.

This evergreen vine from China has dark, glossy foliage and small, starry, white, spicy, nutmeg-scented flowers in summer. It is slow-growing initially but later becomes vigorous. Variegated leaf forms are also available. It is a popular ground cover, however it will also climb to cover lattice or can be trained up a frame for topiary.