Seeking Ground Cover Zone 6a

Question

I wanted to plant blue star creeper as a ground cover… because it looks nice, is hear and close to the ground. However, find out now it is poisonous to cats. How worried do I need to be? I want to cover about 10sf of yard, plus in half a dozen pots. If blue star creeper is not recommended because of the cat/poison issue… what can you recommend instead. I want a perennial that will cover fast… has a bit of color… hardy, 6″ – 123″ to the ground. Hopefully something I could plant now (late August).

Answer 1

The ASPCA site has a section on plant toxicity to cats and dogs. I checked there and other reputable sites and I don't see blue star creeper listed as toxic to cats. (Isotoma fluviatilis)

However, I see it randomly listed as toxic on other sites (who may be copying from another site). Any plant a cat chooses to snack on can cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset, whether or not it is toxic.

I would wait till September to plant when it is a little cooler.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/gcgen/groundcover-for-foot-traffic.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-6/zone-6-ground-covers.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/slope-hill/hill-ground-cover.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/top-10-flowering-ground-covers.htm

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/i?field_toxicity_value%5B%5D=02