I need a ground cover safe to plant over my septic drainfield; shallow-rooted, not thirsty

Question

So I have been reading and reading. Here’s my ideal ground cover. At minimum, it has to be shallow-rooted, not thirsty, non-aggressively-spreading, and doesn’t attract bees (allergic roommate). Also, I would prefer less than about 15″ tall, and would love to have one of those 6″ tall covers.

I would like it to be low-maintenance, though I can spread soaker hoses through the area in summer. It is for a backyard that is almost all septic drainfield; it gets full sun from about 11am to 4p in summer, haven’t measured in winter. (We live in Seattle.)

There is no need for it to flower, but if it does, I read that red flowers don’t attract bees. We won’t be walking on it. We have no deer, only raccoons and rats. There may be a dog in the yard in the future. I don’t know if the soil is acidic or alkaline; mostly, it consists of dirt from decayed pine needles, but some of it is rocky and poor.

Wow, what a list – I appreciate you taking the time to read it. Does any plant come to mind? Thank you so much!

Answer 1

You do have a few options and many plants can tolerate such conditions. This article will be of some assistance: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/septic-field-plant-choices.htm