Complete Gardening
Transform your garden into a sensory paradise with these fragrant groundcovers.
Perfect for adding a delightful aroma to your outdoor space, these plants offer both beauty and scent.
Whether you’re looking to cover a bare patch of soil or add a touch of fragrance to your pathways, these groundcovers have you covered.
1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Creeping Thyme is a resilient herb that thrives in sunny spots. Its tiny leaves and petite pink flowers create a lush carpet that releases a refreshing lemony-mint scent when you walk on it. Perfect for pathways and rock gardens, this groundcover is easy to maintain and loves basking in the sun.
Imagine strolling through your garden, every step releasing its invigorating aroma. Not only does it smell divine, but it also adds a touch of color and texture. It’s a practical choice for garden enthusiasts seeking low-maintenance beauty.
2. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet Alyssum is a charming addition to any garden, blanketing the ground with its tiny white or purple flowers. This delicate plant offers a soft, honey-like fragrance that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding life and movement to your garden.
Its compact form makes it ideal for borders and edges. As it blooms, it creates a sweet-smelling cloud that drifts through the air, inviting you to linger and enjoy the beauty. Its vibrant presence is both visually and aromatically pleasing.
3. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)
Corsican Mint is a petite powerhouse of minty freshness. Perfectly suited for shady spots or nestling between stepping stones, its tiny leaves form a dense mat that fills the air with a refreshing scent.
This groundcover not only offers olfactory delight but also acts as a natural pest repellent. Its cool, minty aroma is both soothing and invigorating, especially on warm days. Easy to grow and maintain, Corsican Mint is a delightful addition to any garden looking for that extra touch of minty charm.
4. Groundcover Roses (Rosa spp.)
Groundcover Roses, especially varieties like ‘Drift’ roses, are perfect for those who love the classic rose scent without the usual upkeep. These low-growing roses offer repeat blooms, filling the garden with their timeless aroma.
Their vibrant colors add a splash of charm to any landscape. With minimal maintenance, these roses are perfect for busy gardeners. Their blooms provide not only fragrance but also a visual feast, making them a beloved choice for rose enthusiasts everywhere.
5. Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Chamomile is more than just a pretty face in the garden; it’s a functional delight. Known for its apple-like aroma, this low-growing herb creates a fragrant carpet that soothes both mind and body.
Often used to make calming teas, its gentle presence in the garden invites tranquility. Its tiny, daisy-like flowers and feathery leaves offer visual appeal as well. Ideal for garden borders or as a fragrant groundcover, Chamomile is a harmonious blend of beauty and utility.
6. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Lily of the Valley graces gardens with its enchanting, bell-shaped blooms and powerful perfume. This lovely plant thrives in shady areas, offering an intoxicating aroma that permeates the air.
While it’s a feast for the senses, it’s important to note that it’s toxic if ingested, so handle with care. Its delicate appearance belies its robust fragrance, making it a favorite in shaded garden nooks where its scent can be fully appreciated.
7. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’)
Creeping Jenny may not be the most fragrant, but its vibrant chartreuse leaves make it a standout in the garden. This groundcover pairs beautifully with more aromatic companions, offering a stunning visual contrast.
Its low-growing nature allows it to cascade over rocks or spill freely among other plants, creating a lush tapestry. Perfect for adding color and texture, Creeping Jenny’s cheerful demeanor brightens any garden space and complements fragrant counterparts nicely.
8. Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)
Creeping Phlox is a springtime marvel, bursting into bloom with an array of vibrant colors including pinks, purples, and whites. Its sweet fragrance adds to its allure, creating a perfumed carpet that brightens any garden space.
Ideal for sunny slopes or rock gardens, its flowers draw in pollinators and provide a visual spectacle. As an easy-to-grow groundcover, Creeping Phlox is perfect for gardeners looking to enhance their outdoor spaces with both beauty and scent.
9. Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)
Woolly Thyme is a delightful addition to any garden, offering a soft, silvery carpet that invites you to touch and explore. Its subtle herbal fragrance adds a gentle aroma, making it perfect for walkways and sunny, dry spots.
The texture of its leaves, resembling a gentle fuzz, adds a unique visual and tactile element to the garden. It’s a resilient choice for those looking to add a touch of fragrance and texture without overwhelming scents.
10. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Bugleweed offers a unique charm with its dark green leaves and striking purple-blue flower spikes. Some varieties exude a mild, earthy scent that’s subtle yet intriguing.
Ideal for adding color and texture to shady garden spots, Bugleweed’s low-maintenance nature makes it a versatile addition to any landscape. Its flowers attract pollinators while its foliage provides year-round interest, making it a practical and beautiful choice.
11. Dianthus (Low-growing varieties)
Dianthus, also known as “pinks,” brings a touch of elegance to any garden with its pastel blooms and spicy, clove-like fragrance. These low-growing varieties create a dense mat of color and scent, perfect for borders or rock gardens.
Their blossoms not only attract pollinators but also add a romantic touch to the landscape. With minimal care requirements, Dianthus offers a delightful sensory experience that’s both beautiful and aromatic.
12. Lavender Hidcote (compact variety)
Lavender Hidcote, while technically a small shrub, acts as a fragrant groundcover with its compact growth habit. Its vibrant purple flowers and narrow leaves offer a beloved calming scent that soothes the senses.
Perfect for borders and pathways, it adds a touch of classic elegance to any garden. Known for its calming properties, Lavender Hidcote invites relaxation and tranquility, making it a favorite for those seeking a peaceful garden retreat.
13. Violets (Viola odorata)
Violets are a charming addition to a romantic cottage garden, with their sweet-scented purple blooms that are as delightful to the nose as they are to the eye. These dainty flowers are not only fragrant but also edible, adding a unique twist to your garden.
Their presence invites whimsy and nostalgia, as their delicate blooms sway gently in the breeze. Perfect for adding a touch of romance and color, Violets are a delightful choice for garden enthusiasts looking to create a sensory experience.
14. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon Balm is a herbaceous wonder, offering a burst of citrusy freshness that invigorates the senses. Its lush green foliage spreads readily, making it ideal for herbal borders and aromatic pathways.
As you brush past its leaves, the scent of lemon fills the air, providing a refreshing experience. Easy to grow and maintain, Lemon Balm is a gardener’s delight, adding both fragrance and a touch of zest to any outdoor space.
15. Herniaria glabra (Green Carpet)
Herniaria glabra, known as Green Carpet, is a little-known gem that offers a subtle green, herbal scent while hugging the ground like a soft mat. Perfect for areas with foot traffic, it provides a unique texture and olfactory experience.
Its resilient nature makes it an excellent choice for those looking to add something different to their garden. With minimal care requirements, Green Carpet offers both beauty and practicality, enhancing your garden’s sensory appeal.