Emerald Blanket

'Emerald Blanket' is the flattest of the widely sold natal plums and a fixture of Florida landscaping, where it is used as a spreading evergreen groundcover in front of taller shrubs, around specimen palms and along pool cages and patios. It stays under about 18 in tall while spreading four to eight feet, so a handful of plants covers a large bed. Unlike the thornless 'Boxwood Beauty' it retains long forked spines, which makes it a deliberate choice under windows and along boundaries where a low, unwelcoming mat is wanted. It flowers heavily from summer into early winter and sets showy red berries that Florida gardeners do occasionally use for jelly. Some nursery catalogues treat 'Emerald Blanket' and 'Green Carpet' as trade synonyms, but they are usually listed and sold separately, with 'Emerald Blanket' the lower and wider of the two.