Beach Creeper

Ernodea littoralis

Beach Creeper is a low growing, drought tolerant plant that forms mounds of gold. For dry sites in full sun this is one of my favorite long term ground covers. The golden plant on the left side of the picture is Beach Creeper and the silver plant on the right side is Sea Lavender. There is no lawn on this property.

The narrow succulent leaves are up to 1.5 inches long. The one inch tubular flowers are white to pink and not very showy, yet the clusters of lentil sized, golden round berries are attractive. The stems are weak and bend over forming a mat that can be left at its natural 2-3 foot height or cut back to one foot each spring.

This is an endangered plant found in the Florida Keys and along the coast to Volusia County. I like to use it to seal off a planting along a road or driveway. Plant it back from the road a good three feet so that it can be cut back to within one foot of the plant and not need trimming again for several months.

Beach Creeper can be planted on the west side of our East Coast dunes or anywhere inland with well drained soil and full sun. It mixes well with Bay Cedar, Beach Cocoplum, Sea Lavender, Key Lily, Coontie, Cactus, Seaside Joyweed and wildflowers. Just give it some room from its neighbors. I see no information saying that the berries are poisonous or edible. They are attractive to birds though.

Here is some more information on this wonderful plant. Click here.