Complete Gardening
Ground cover plants are the unsung heroes of garden design, particularly when it comes to filling the tricky spaces around tree roots. These hardy additions not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a garden but also help in maintaining soil moisture and preventing erosion. This article explores 30 remarkable ground cover plants that thrive around tree roots, offering both beauty and practicality. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious beginner, these selections promise to inspire your next planting endeavor.
1. Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme charms with its aromatic foliage and dainty purple blooms. This plant’s low-growing nature makes it an ideal choice for covering ground around tree roots. Beyond its visual appeal, it attracts pollinators, inviting bees to visit your garden. Its resilience to foot traffic means it can withstand a bustling garden environment. A fun fact: in medieval times, thyme symbolized courage. Easily thriving in sunny locations, it provides a fragrant carpet that delights both the eyes and the senses. Plant it near pathways for a beautiful, scented walkway.
2. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff captivates with its elegant white flowers and whorled leaves, transforming shaded areas into a lush, green tapestry. Famous for its hay-like fragrance, this plant was traditionally used to freshen up homes. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil, effortlessly adapting to life under trees. Its leaves are an excellent choice for adding texture to shaded garden spots. Sweet Woodruff can be a gardener’s secret weapon for ground coverage. It can even be used to craft homemade potpourri, adding a touch of nature’s charm indoors.
3. Periwinkle (Vinca Minor)
Periwinkle, or Vinca Minor, is a vigorous ground cover that enchants with its glossy leaves and periwinkle-blue flowers. It’s a classic choice for gardeners looking to add year-round greenery. Its ability to thrive in both sun and shade makes it versatile for various garden spots. This plant’s low-maintenance nature is perfect for those who prefer a more hands-off approach. Additionally, it’s resistant to deer, making it a great option for rural areas. Historically, periwinkle was used in traditional medicine, adding a touch of mystique to its charm.
4. Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Bugleweed, or Ajuga, stands out with its striking dark purple foliage and spikes of blue flowers. It’s the perfect addition for those seeking an eye-catching ground cover. This plant thrives in a variety of conditions, handling full sun to partial shade with ease. Its dense, mat-forming growth pattern helps suppress weeds, making garden maintenance a breeze. Ajuga is also known for its medicinal properties, historically used for wound healing. Its vibrant appearance and practical benefits make it a favorite among gardeners.
5. Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is beloved for its unique, velvety foliage that invites touch. Its soft, silver leaves create a soothing visual contrast against darker backgrounds. Perfect for sunny spots, this plant’s drought-resistant nature ensures it survives even in tough conditions. Its texture adds an interesting layer to garden designs, and children love its resemblance to lamb ears. Historically, it was used as a natural band-aid due to its antibacterial properties. This plant is a delightful blend of form, function, and fun, making it a garden favorite.
6. Irish Moss
Irish Moss, a charming ground cover, creates the illusion of a plush, green lawn. Its soft, moss-like texture is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to garden spaces. Tolerant of light foot traffic, it’s ideal for pathways and walkways. This plant prefers cool, damp environments, thriving in partial to full shade. Its subtle beauty is complemented by tiny white flowers in spring, offering a delicate visual treat. Irish Moss is not only visually appealing but also helps in soil stabilization, making it both decorative and functional.
7. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny adds a splash of color with its bright yellow-green leaves that cascade beautifully around trees. This low-growing plant is perfect for adding vibrancy to garden spaces. It thrives in moist soil, doing well in both sun and partial shade. Its spreading habit creates a lush, carpet-like appearance, making it a standout choice for landscaping. Creeping Jenny’s cheerful color and easy-growing nature make it a favorite for gardeners looking to brighten shaded or tricky areas. It pairs well with darker foliage for contrast.
8. Pachysandra
Pachysandra offers a classic look with its glossy leaves and understated white flowers. Ideal for shaded areas, it forms a dense ground cover, suppressing weeds effectively. This plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can handle occasional dry spells. Often used in formal gardens, Pachysandra provides a polished, uniform appearance. Interestingly, its name comes from the Greek words for “thick” and “man,” referring to its dense growth. This plant is a reliable choice for creating a cohesive and lush green backdrop in gardens.
9. Wild Ginger
Wild Ginger intrigues with its heart-shaped leaves and hidden brown flowers. This native plant is perfect for shaded, woodland gardens. Its foliage offers excellent ground coverage, suppressing weeds naturally. Historically, Native Americans used Wild Ginger for medicinal purposes, adding an interesting historical layer. It thrives in rich, moist soil, making it ideal for planting under trees. Its understated charm and practical benefits make Wild Ginger a lovely addition to any garden setting, especially for those seeking native plant species.
10. Golden Star (Chrysogonum virginianum)
Golden Star delights with its cheerful yellow flowers that shine brightly against green foliage. This North American native is a wonderful choice for adding color to shaded or partially sunny areas. Its sprawling growth habit makes it an excellent ground cover, providing a vibrant carpet that suppresses weeds. It thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and is relatively low maintenance. Gardeners appreciate its long bloom period, offering color from spring through summer. Golden Star not only beautifies gardens but also supports local wildlife.
11. Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)
Lilyturf, or Liriope muscari, is celebrated for its grass-like leaves and striking purple flowers. This versatile ground cover is ideal for adding texture to garden beds. It’s tolerant of various soil types, thriving in both sun and shade. Lilyturf is drought-resistant, making it a practical choice for low-maintenance gardens. Interestingly, it’s known to deter deer and rabbits. Its attractive appearance and robust nature make it a favorite among landscapers. With its unique blend of form and function, Lilyturf enhances any garden space.
12. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
Japanese Spurge, known for its lush, glossy foliage, is a popular choice for shaded garden areas. Its neat, compact growth offers a formal touch, suppressing weeds effectively. This plant thrives in acidic, well-drained soil, making it perfect for under-tree planting. Japanese Spurge’s ability to withstand dry conditions once established adds to its appeal. Its subtle white flowers add a delicate touch in spring. This plant is a reliable, evergreen option for creating a polished look, providing year-round interest in garden designs.
13. Ferns
Ferns, with their graceful fronds, add an air of elegance to any garden. These prehistoric plants thrive in shaded, moist areas, creating a lush, verdant backdrop. Their ability to adapt to various soil types makes them a versatile choice for ground cover. Ferns not only provide texture and color but also improve air quality. Fascinatingly, ferns are among the oldest plants on Earth, offering a touch of ancient beauty. Ideal for woodland gardens, they pair beautifully with other shade-loving plants, enhancing the natural landscape.
14. Hellebores
Hellebores, often called the “Christmas Rose,” are cherished for their winter blooms and evergreen foliage. These hardy perennials thrive in shaded areas, providing color when little else is in flower. Their blooms range from white to deep pink, adding a splash of color to winter gardens. Hellebores prefer rich, well-drained soil and are known for their resilience to cold weather. A fun fact: in folklore, hellebores were believed to have protective properties. Their unique charm and practical benefits make them a winter garden favorite.
15. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum, also known as Stonecrop, is celebrated for its succulent leaves and star-shaped flowers. This drought-tolerant plant is ideal for sunny spots, adding texture and color to garden beds. Its ability to thrive in poor soil conditions makes it a low-maintenance choice for busy gardeners. Sedum’s vibrant blooms attract pollinators, enhancing biodiversity. Interestingly, it has been used in traditional herbal medicine. Its carefree nature and unique appearance make Sedum a popular choice for rock gardens and borders, offering year-round interest.
16. Barrenwort (Epimedium)
Barrenwort, known for its heart-shaped leaves and delicate flowers, is a favorite for shaded garden spots. Its unique foliage changes color with the seasons, offering year-round interest. Barrenwort thrives in well-drained, humus-rich soil, providing excellent ground cover for suppressing weeds. It’s also resistant to deer and drought, making it a hardy choice for naturalistic gardens. In folklore, it’s often associated with love and fertility. This plant’s enchanting flowers and robust nature make it a delightful addition to any garden.
17. Hostas
Hostas are beloved for their large, variegated leaves and adaptability to shaded areas. These perennials provide excellent ground cover, creating a lush, tropical look in gardens. Known for their resilience, Hostas thrive in various soil types and conditions. Their flowers attract hummingbirds, adding life to your garden. Interestingly, Hostas are native to Japan and have been cultivated for centuries. Their diverse leaf patterns and sizes make them a versatile choice for any garden, offering a rich tapestry of greens and textures.
18. Blue Star Creeper
Blue Star Creeper enchants with its tiny blue flowers and lush green foliage. This low-growing plant creates a dense carpet, perfect for filling spaces around tree roots. It’s ideal for sunny to partially shaded areas, thriving in moist, well-drained soil. Its delicate blooms provide a subtle yet eye-catching display, complementing other garden plants. Blue Star Creeper is not only beautiful but also practical, tolerating light foot traffic. This charming ground cover is a wonderful choice for those seeking to add a touch of whimsy to their gardens.
19. Ground Morning Glory (Convolvulus sabatius)
Ground Morning Glory, with its cheerful blue flowers, adds a bright touch to garden beds. This trailing plant is perfect for cascading around trees, creating a vibrant ground cover. It thrives in sunny locations, preferring well-drained soil. Its drought-tolerant nature makes it a practical choice for low-maintenance gardens. The blooms attract butterflies, enhancing garden biodiversity. Ground Morning Glory’s vibrant flowers and easy-care nature make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking color and charm in their landscapes.
20. Deadnettle (Lamium)
Deadnettle, or Lamium, delights with its variegated leaves and delicate pink flowers. This shade-loving plant is perfect for adding texture and color to garden spaces. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil, creating a lush, ground-hugging carpet. Deadnettle is deer resistant, making it a practical choice for rural gardens. Its long blooming period provides interest from spring to fall. Interestingly, despite its name, it’s unrelated to nettles and doesn’t sting. This plant’s decorative foliage and resilience make it a favorite among gardeners.
21. Creeping Phlox
Creeping Phlox, with its vibrant flowers, transforms garden spaces into a sea of color. This mat-forming plant is ideal for sunny areas, thriving in well-drained soil. Its cascading habit covers ground beautifully, making it a favorite for rock gardens and borders. The blooms attract butterflies, enhancing the garden’s ecological value. Creeping Phlox is low maintenance, perfect for gardeners seeking easy-care beauty. Its stunning flowers and robust nature make it a standout choice for creating a cheerful, colorful garden display.
22. Mazus Reptans
Mazus Reptans, with its charming purple flowers, creates a lush carpet ideal for garden spaces. This low-growing plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil, tolerating light foot traffic. Its spreading habit makes it perfect for filling in gaps around tree roots. Mazus Reptans is not only beautiful but also practical, as it helps suppress weeds. This plant’s vibrant blooms and resilient nature make it a favorite for gardeners looking to add color and coverage to their landscapes. It’s an excellent choice for pathways and borders.
23. Ajuga Reptans
Ajuga Reptans, also known as Bugleweed, stands out with its dark, glossy leaves and striking blue flower spikes. This ground cover thrives in shaded to partially sunny areas, providing a lush carpet of foliage. Its ability to suppress weeds makes it a practical choice for low-maintenance gardens. Ajuga Reptans attracts pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity. Interestingly, it has been used in traditional herbal medicine. This plant’s unique appearance and robust nature make it a popular choice for adding texture and color to garden spaces.
24. Thyme
Thyme, with its aromatic leaves and delicate pink flowers, adds both fragrance and beauty to garden spaces. This herb thrives in sunny locations, preferring well-drained soil. Its low-growing nature makes it an excellent ground cover, perfect for filling spaces around trees. Thyme is drought-resistant and attracts pollinators, enhancing the garden’s ecological value. Historically, it was used for medicinal purposes, adding an interesting historical layer. Thyme’s fragrant foliage and charming blooms make it a delightful addition to any garden setting.
25. Golden Creeping Jenny
Golden Creeping Jenny dazzles with its bright yellow leaves, creating a vibrant carpet around trees. This trailing plant thrives in moist soil, adapting to both sun and partial shade. Its cheerful color adds a splash of brightness to garden spaces. Golden Creeping Jenny’s spreading habit makes it a popular choice for ground cover, providing lush, low-maintenance greenery. It pairs beautifully with darker foliage for contrast, enhancing garden designs. This plant’s easy-growing nature and striking appearance make it a gardener’s favorite.
26. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Bearberry, with its glossy leaves and bright red berries, offers year-round interest in garden spaces. This hardy plant thrives in well-drained, rocky soil, making it a perfect choice for challenging areas. Its evergreen foliage provides a lush carpet, suppressing weeds effectively. Bearberry’s berries attract birds, adding life to your garden. This plant is not only beautiful but also practical, tolerating drought and cold conditions. Bearberry’s unique combination of form and function makes it a standout choice for naturalistic and wildlife-friendly gardens.
27. Corsican Mint
Corsican Mint captivates with its tiny leaves and delightful minty aroma. This low-growing plant is perfect for adding fragrance to garden paths. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil, preferring partial shade. Corsican Mint’s mat-forming habit makes it an excellent ground cover, providing lush greenery with minimal maintenance. Its aromatic foliage releases a pleasant scent when stepped on, enhancing sensory gardens. This plant’s unique combination of fragrance and form makes it a charming addition to garden designs, offering both beauty and practicality.