Complete Gardening
Discover a curated selection of 20 low-growing plants that serve as beautiful and practical alternatives to traditional brick borders. Each plant offers unique qualities such as fragrance, color, texture, and adaptability to various sun and soil conditions. These selections not only enhance the beauty of your garden but also provide sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for garden borders.
1. Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’)
Dwarf Mondo Grass is like the tailored suit of garden plants. Its evergreen blades are short, neat, and orderly, creating a manicured look along any garden path. Preferring partial shade to full sun, this slow-spreading grass reaches 2–4 inches. It requires minimal maintenance, making it perfect for those who favor a tidy landscape without the fuss. With its rich green hue, Dwarf Mondo Grass offers a serene and structured beauty that whispers elegance year-round.
2. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans, ‘Bugleweed’)
In the dappled light of a shaded garden, Ajuga, or Bugleweed, thrives with its striking foliage. Fast to establish and spread, it blankets the ground with hues of purple that capture the eye. Growing between 3–6 inches, it’s a versatile choice that adapts well to shade or partial sun. Its textured leaves add depth and contrast to any landscape. Ajuga’s quick growth and vivid colors make it an ideal candidate for those looking to add a splash of drama to their garden borders.
3. Sedum ‘Angelina’ (Sedum rupestre)
Golden rays seem to emanate from Sedum ‘Angelina’. This succulent thrives where others falter, loving full sun and requiring minimal water. Its yellow leaves glow brightly, adding warmth to rock gardens or poor soils. Standing 3–6 inches tall, it’s an inviting, low-maintenance option. As the seasons change, its foliage may take on orange or red hues, adding seasonal interest. Sedum ‘Angelina’ is for those who appreciate gardens that glow with vibrant life, even in the toughest conditions.
4. Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)
With its emerald sheen, Irish Moss creates a lush carpet that’s almost otherworldly. Delighting in partial shade, it grows 1–2 inches high, offering a soft, vibrant touch to any garden floor. This hardy groundcover thrives in moist environments, providing a beautiful, green expanse that remains attractive throughout the year. Irish Moss is the perfect choice for those seeking to fill gaps between stepping stones or to soften the edges of a garden path, adding a touch of enchantment to the landscape.
5. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Imagine walking through a garden where the air is filled with the subtle aroma of thyme. Creeping Thyme not only offers this aromatic delight but also covers the ground with a sea of tiny purple flowers. This drought-tolerant marvel loves basking in full sun and remains resilient in the toughest conditions. Reaching a modest height of 1–3 inches, it forms a dense mat that gracefully hugs the earth. Whether you’re seeking a fragrant path or a colorful border, Creeping Thyme charms with both scent and sight.
6. Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)
Woolly Thyme beckons you to touch with its soft, fuzzy texture—like a garden blanket. Its light pink flowers add a delicate touch, thriving in the embrace of full sun. Reaching just 1–2 inches, this thyme variant offers a unique tactile experience and visual appeal. Ideal for filling in garden nooks or spilling gently over rocks, Woolly Thyme is an enchanting choice for those who value both texture and beauty in their outdoor spaces.
7. Mazus (Mazus reptans)
Mazus spreads like a joyful whisper across the garden, its purple and white blooms adding a playful touch. Favoring partial shade, it reaches 1–3 inches in height, quickly covering ground with vibrant color. This adaptable plant thrives near water features or in moist areas, providing a lively backdrop to any garden. Mazus offers an easy-going charm, perfect for those who desire a low-maintenance plant with a splash of color, creating a whimsical border that draws the eye.
8. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)
Blue Star Creeper is like a sky fallen to earth, with tiny blue flowers dotting its lush green carpet. Thriving in moist areas, it prefers partial shade and grows 1–3 inches. This plant is a gentle groundcover, softening paths and garden edges with its delicate blossoms. Blue Star Creeper’s ability to flourish where others struggle makes it an ideal choice for gardeners looking to introduce a touch of celestial beauty to their landscapes.
9. Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum spp.)
Hens-and-Chicks are the resilient warriors of the plant world, with rosettes that multiply effortlessly. Thriving in full sun, they withstand drought, making them ideal for rock gardens or dry landscapes. Standing 2–4 inches tall, these succulents offer an intriguing architectural form and vivid color. Their ability to thrive in harsh conditions makes them a favorite for gardeners seeking a unique, hardy plant that adds both interest and texture to their outdoor spaces.
10. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)
Imagine stepping onto a path where every footfall releases a minty fragrance—that’s Corsican Mint. The smallest of the mints, it’s perfect for planting between stepping stones. Growing ½–1 inch, it loves partial shade and brings a fresh aroma to garden paths. This diminutive plant offers a delightful sensory experience, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate fragrance and ground-hugging charm in their gardens.
11. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny cascades like a golden waterfall, its chartreuse leaves adding a bright pop to any garden. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, it grows 2–4 inches high and spreads generously. This plant’s trailing nature makes it ideal for softening hard edges, such as pond borders or retaining walls. Creeping Jenny is a lively, eye-catching choice for gardeners seeking to brighten their landscapes with lush, trailing greenery.
12. Rock Cress (Aubrieta deltoidea)
In the burst of spring, Rock Cress transforms into a vibrant tapestry of purple and pink flowers. Preferring full sun, it grows 3–6 inches, thriving on rocky terrains where its blossoms can cascade down slopes. With its cheerful bloom, Rock Cress is perfect for gardeners seeking a splash of spring color. Its ability to thrive in challenging conditions while providing abundant flowers makes it a beloved choice for rock gardens and sunny borders.
13. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet Woodruff enchants with its delicate white flowers and vanilla scent, creating a serene woodland atmosphere. Flourishing in full to partial shade, it reaches 6–12 inches, forming a lush green carpet. This plant is perfect for shaded garden areas, bringing a touch of elegance and fragrance. Sweet Woodruff’s ethereal beauty and aromatic presence make it a delightful choice for gardeners seeking a serene, scented groundcover.
14. Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida)
Brass Buttons offers a textured tapestry for the garden floor with its fern-like foliage. Preferring partial shade, it grows 1–2 inches high, forming a dense mat that’s perfect for edging garden paths. This plant’s unique texture and appearance make it a captivating choice for gardeners desiring a distinctive groundcover. Brass Buttons’ ability to create a lush, resilient carpet adds both beauty and practicality to any landscape.
15. Dwarf Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
Dwarf Plumbago dazzles with its sky-blue flowers and red fall foliage. Enjoying full sun to partial shade, it grows 6–12 inches, offering vibrant color throughout the seasons. This plant’s unique ability to provide year-round interest makes it a favorite for borders and garden beds. Dwarf Plumbago’s dynamic color transition from summer to autumn adds an ever-changing beauty to the landscape, perfect for those seeking visual variety.
16. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
In spring, Creeping Phlox transforms into a vibrant blanket of pink, purple, or white blooms. This plant loves full sun and reaches 4–6 inches, spreading over walls and slopes with ease. Its abundant flowers and low-growing habit make it ideal for adding color to rock gardens or sunny borders. Creeping Phlox’s cheerful blooms bring a lively touch to any landscape, creating a flowing, colorful cascade that delights the senses.
17. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Lamb’s Ear invites touch with its soft, silvery leaves, reminiscent of a gentle caress. Thriving in full sun, it grows 6–12 inches, offering a tactile and visual delight. This plant’s resilience to deer and rabbits makes it a practical choice for open gardens. Lamb’s Ear brings a sense of tranquility and serenity to the landscape, perfect for those seeking a soothing presence and unique texture in their garden borders.
18. Veronica ‘Waterperry Blue’ (Veronica repens)
Veronica ‘Waterperry Blue’ enchants with its petite blue flowers and evergreen foliage, forming a graceful garden carpet. Preferring partial shade, it grows 1–3 inches, offering year-round beauty. This plant’s delicate blossoms and enduring greenery make it a charming choice for borders or groundcover. Veronica ‘Waterperry Blue’ provides a serene touch, perfect for gardeners seeking a gentle, continuous bloom that whispers elegance throughout the seasons.
19. Miniature Sedum ‘Cape Blanco’ (Sedum spathulifolium)
Miniature Sedum ‘Cape Blanco’ sparkles with its silvery-blue rosettes, thriving in rocky soil. Loving full sun, it grows 2–4 inches, offering a drought-tolerant solution for challenging landscapes. Its unique color and form make it a standout choice for those seeking a distinctive and hardy plant. Miniature Sedum ‘Cape Blanco’ is perfect for adding structural interest and subtle hues to rock gardens or sun-drenched borders, where it thrives with minimal care.
20. Lirope (Liriope spicata, ‘Dwarf Lilyturf’)
Lirope, or Dwarf Lilyturf, stands as a steadfast border with its grass-like leaves and purple flower spikes. Enjoying shade to partial sun, it grows 6–12 inches, creating a tidy, lush edge. This plant’s ability to maintain structure and color year-round makes it a go-to choice for garden paths and borders. Lirope provides a sophisticated, low-maintenance option that enhances the garden’s natural rhythm, perfect for those who appreciate a neat and orderly landscape.