Complete Gardening
Looking to elevate your garden with a touch of elegance and functionality? Ground covers are your go-to solution. These low-growing plants not only beautify your flower beds but also offer practical benefits such as weed suppression, erosion control, and a habitat for beneficial insects. Discover 24 exquisite ground covers that promise to transform any garden space with their unique charms.
1. Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme is a fragrant herb that forms a dense mat adorned with tiny purple flowers. Perfect for sunny spots, its low-growing nature makes it an ideal choice for ground coverage in flower beds. As you walk by, enjoy the aromatic scent that fills the air, enticing pollinators like bees. This hardy plant thrives in various soil types, requiring minimal care. Introduce it to your garden paths or rock gardens for a charming, resilient touch. Its beauty and practicality make it a delightful addition to any outdoor space.
2. Lamb’s Ear
Silvery and soft to the touch, Lamb’s Ear brings a unique texture to any flower bed. Its woolly leaves give off a calming, silvery glow that stands out against vibrant blooms. This hardy perennial is perfect for dry, sunny locations and requires little maintenance. Children love its velvety texture, making it a favorite among family gardens. Plant it along pathways or in borders where its tactile appeal can be appreciated up close. Its drought resistance and ornamental foliage provide both beauty and practicality in garden design.
3. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff thrives in the shadowy retreats of your garden, offering whorled leaves and star-shaped white flowers. Ideal for shaded spots, it provides a lush ground cover that adds elegance under trees. Its sweet scent is reminiscent of freshly mowed hay, especially when dried. This plant is not only beautiful but also functional, making it a wonderful living mulch. Use it to fill in areas where grass struggles to grow. Its low-maintenance nature and delicate blossoms make Sweet Woodruff a charming addition to any shady nook.
4. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Ajuga, also known as Bugleweed, captivates with its glossy leaves and vivid blue flower spikes. This hardy ground cover thrives in sun or shade, making it versatile for various garden settings. Its rapid growth forms a dense mat that suppresses weeds while adding a splash of color. Ajuga’s flowers attract pollinators, enhancing the ecological balance in your garden. Whether used in borders, under trees, or on slopes, this plant’s striking blooms and resilience make it a favorite among gardeners seeking beauty and practicality.
5. Pachysandra
Pachysandra is the perfect evergreen ground cover for shady spots, offering year-round greenery. Its glossy leaves and small white flowers add subtle beauty to underplantings. Ideal for areas where grass won’t grow, Pachysandra thrives with minimal sunlight. This low-maintenance plant forms a solid carpet, effectively suppressing weeds and preventing soil erosion. Use it to create lush, green expanses beneath trees or in shaded borders. Its durability and shade tolerance make Pachysandra an excellent choice for those seeking an easy-care garden solution.
6. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum, popularly known as Stonecrop, is a drought-tolerant ground cover that thrives in rock gardens. Its succulent leaves come in various colors, providing visual interest even without flowers. When in bloom, Sedum adds splashes of vibrant hues to the landscape. Ideal for sunny spots, its water-retaining leaves make it low-maintenance and perfect for xeriscaping. Use it to fill in gaps between stones or to cascade over edges. The resilience and versatility of Sedum ensure a delightful display in any garden, especially those with limited water.
7. Irish Moss
Irish Moss forms a soft, verdant carpet that delights underfoot. Its tiny white flowers appear like stars amid its lush green texture, creating a fairy-tale ambiance. Ideal for filling spaces between stepping stones, this ground cover adds a touch of whimsy to pathways. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-draining soil. Easy to care for, Irish Moss requires minimal maintenance. Its delicate appearance belies its hardiness, making it a charming yet resilient choice for gardeners seeking both form and function.
8. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia)
Creeping Jenny, with its vibrant chartreuse foliage, boldly spills over edges, creating a lively contrast in your garden. Its trailing habit makes it perfect for containers, hanging baskets, or as a ground cover. In shady areas, its brightness illuminates dim corners, while in sunlight, it gleams with life. Easy to grow, this plant spreads quickly, forming a lush carpet that suppresses weeds. Its adaptability and striking color make it an eye-catching choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of gold to their landscape.
9. Blue Star Creeper
Blue Star Creeper is a low-growing ground cover dotted with tiny blue blooms throughout the growing season. Its lush greenery and delicate flowers create a serene, carpet-like effect perfect for garden borders or filling spaces between pavers. This plant thrives in both sun and shade, offering versatility in planting locations. Its hardiness and quick spread make it ideal for those seeking a fast-growing yet unobtrusive ground cover. The calming hue and persistent blooms of Blue Star Creeper add a gentle charm to any landscape.
10. Corsican Mint
Corsican Mint is a fragrant ground cover that adds a touch of luxury to pathways and borders. Its lush, green foliage emits a refreshing minty aroma, enhancing the sensory experience of any garden. Perfect for shady areas, it thrives in moist, well-drained soil. This plant is not only aromatic but also functional, creating a soft carpet that withstands light foot traffic. Use it to fill gaps between stones or plant it near seating areas. The scent and beauty of Corsican Mint make it a delightful addition to any garden sanctuary.
11. Mondo Grass (Dwarf Lilyturf)
Mondo Grass, or Dwarf Lilyturf, offers a neat, compact appearance with its grass-like foliage. Perfect for edging paths or covering ground under trees, it thrives in both sun and shade. This plant requires minimal maintenance and is resistant to pests, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners. Its dark green leaves add a touch of elegance to any landscape, providing year-round interest. Use Mondo Grass to create a structured look in your garden, where its subtle beauty and resilience enhance the overall design.
12. Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)
Vinca Minor, or Periwinkle, boasts glossy leaves and charming violet flowers that brighten shady garden spots. This evergreen ground cover spreads quickly, forming a lush mat that suppresses weeds. Ideal for underplanting or covering slopes, it thrives in partial to full shade. Its low-maintenance nature makes it a popular choice for gardeners looking to fill large areas with minimal effort. The persistent blooms and year-round greenery of Vinca Minor offer a vibrant, effortless elegance to any landscape.
13. Herniaria glabra (Rupturewort)
Herniaria glabra, or Rupturewort, is a hardy ground cover with a mossy appearance. Its low-growing nature makes it ideal for rock gardens or filling in gaps between pavers. This plant thrives in poor soil, requiring little water or maintenance, making it perfect for challenging sites. Its subtle, verdant charm adds a soft texture to any landscape. Use Rupturewort to create a lush, green carpet that withstands foot traffic, offering both aesthetic appeal and practicality for gardeners seeking a resilient ground cover solution.
14. Mazus reptans
Mazus reptans is a fast-growing ground cover that delights with its delicate purple blooms. Perfect for garden borders or filling spaces between stepping stones, it thrives in moist, well-draining soil. This plant’s lush greenery and persistent flowers create a vibrant ground cover that attracts pollinators. Easy to grow, Mazus reptans quickly establishes itself, forming a dense mat that suppresses weeds. Its charming blooms and low maintenance make it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and ease in their landscape design.
15. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium)
Snow-in-Summer, or Cerastium, offers a breathtaking display with its silvery foliage and white flowers. This hardy ground cover thrives in sunny, well-drained locations, making it ideal for rock gardens or dry slopes. Its cascading habit creates a stunning visual effect, especially when in full bloom. Snow-in-Summer forms a dense mat that prevents erosion and suppresses weeds. Its striking appearance and resilience make it a favorite among gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance and drama to their landscape.
16. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Wild Ginger, native to North American forests, offers lush, heart-shaped leaves that thrive in shaded areas. This ground cover adds a touch of wild beauty to woodland gardens. Its foliage creates a dense mat that suppresses weeds and retains moisture. Ideal for naturalistic plantings, Wild Ginger requires minimal care once established. Use it to accentuate shady borders or to create a lush, green carpet under trees. Its unique charm and low maintenance make Wild Ginger a beloved choice for shade-loving gardeners looking to enhance their landscape.
17. Golden Groundsel (Packera aurea)
Golden Groundsel, or Packera aurea, illuminates gardens with its bright yellow flowers and semi-evergreen foliage. Thriving in moist, shaded areas, it provides a burst of color in spring. This native plant is perfect for woodland gardens or damp, shaded spots where other plants may struggle. Its resilience and quick spread make it a wonderful ground cover for controlling erosion. Use Golden Groundsel to bring cheerful blooms and vibrant foliage to your garden, enhancing both beauty and ecological balance with its native charm.
18. Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera)
Strawberry Begonia, or Saxifraga stolonifera, enchants with its striking foliage and dainty flowers. Ideal for shaded gardens, its variegated leaves add visual interest even when not in bloom. This ground cover thrives in moist, well-drained soil, forming a lush mat that suppresses weeds. Its delicate white flowers dance above the foliage, adding a touch of elegance. Use Strawberry Begonia to fill in shaded borders or to create a tapestry of color and texture. Its unique beauty and adaptability make it a standout choice for any garden.
19. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
Japanese Spurge, or Pachysandra terminalis, is an evergreen ground cover that thrives in shade. Its glossy leaves form a dense carpet, providing year-round greenery. Ideal for underplanting or covering large areas, it suppresses weeds and prevents soil erosion. This plant requires minimal maintenance, making it perfect for low-effort gardening. Its subtle white blooms add a delicate touch to its robust foliage. Use Japanese Spurge to create lush expanses under trees or in shaded borders, where its beauty and practicality shine.
20. Golden Creeping Jenny
Golden Creeping Jenny offers a vivid splash of gold that trails beautifully over stone borders or cascades from containers. Its bright foliage stands out, adding warmth and color to any garden. Thriving in sun or partial shade, it spreads quickly, forming a lush carpet that suppresses weeds. Perfect for adding contrast or brightening dark corners, this plant’s low maintenance and adaptability make it a gardener’s favorite. Use Golden Creeping Jenny to create dynamic, eye-catching displays that enhance your landscape with its radiant charm.
21. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Bearberry, or Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, is a native evergreen ground cover that offers year-round beauty. Its clusters of pink flowers give way to red berries, adding seasonal interest. Ideal for dry, rocky landscapes, it thrives in poor soil with minimal care. Bearberry’s sprawling habit makes it perfect for erosion control, while its attractive foliage and berries provide food for wildlife. Use it to create a naturalistic garden or to stabilize slopes. Its durability and ecological benefits make Bearberry a standout choice for sustainable gardening.
22. Ice Plant (Delosperma)
The Ice Plant, known for its succulent leaves and dazzling daisy-like flowers, transforms sunny gardens with vibrant color. Perfect for xeriscaping, it thrives in dry, well-drained soil. Its low-growing nature makes it ideal for rock gardens or as a ground cover that suppresses weeds. Ice Plant’s blooms attract pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity. Use it to create a splash of color in challenging areas where other plants struggle. Its striking appearance and low water needs make the Ice Plant a favorite among eco-conscious gardeners.
23. Creeping Phlox
Creeping Phlox transforms spring landscapes with its vibrant carpet of flowers. Perfect for borders, rock gardens, or cascading over walls, its bright blooms create a stunning visual display. Thriving in sunny spots with well-drained soil, this ground cover is both beautiful and functional, suppressing weeds and preventing soil erosion. Its early-season blooms attract pollinators, adding ecological value. Use Creeping Phlox to add a burst of color and charm to your garden, where its lively presence will captivate all who visit.
24. Hellebore (Lenten Rose)
Hellebore, or Lenten Rose, is an early bloomer that provides ground cover with bold foliage and delicate flowers. Ideal for shaded garden beds, it thrives in moist, well-drained soil. Its evergreen leaves offer year-round interest, while its flowers bloom in late winter to early spring, bringing life to dormant gardens. Hellebore’s resilience and unique beauty make it a prized addition to woodland gardens or shaded borders. Use it to add texture and color to your landscape, where its charm and versatility will enchant garden enthusiasts.