Complete Gardening
Ground covers are often overlooked heroes in gardening, providing beauty, control, and sustainability. These 15 unique ground covers offer surprising benefits and versatility, yet remain underappreciated by most gardeners. Let’s shed light on these hidden gems.
1. Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme whispers tales of resilience. Its lavender blossoms, though dainty, speak of nature’s ability to thrive under footfalls. Imagine a garden pathway, where each step releases a fragrance reminiscent of summer breezes.
This perennial marvel hugs the earth, its growth habit weaving a tapestry of green that suppresses weeds effectively. Ideal for sunny spots, it requires minimal care, offering a practical yet charming solution for bare patches.
Did you know? Creeping thyme is not just decorative. Historically, it was considered a symbol of courage, often used in medieval traditions to convey bravery.
2. Mazus Reptans
Mazus Reptans, the unassuming charmer, paints garden floors with its vibrant hues. Its blossoms, a mix of purple and white, seem to play hide and seek amidst the foliage.
Favored by shade, this ground cover offers a soft texture, perfect for filling in those hard-to-grow spots. Its vigorous nature means it quickly establishes itself, providing a lush, green blanket that needs little intervention.
For garden enthusiasts, Mazus Reptans offers not only beauty but practicality. It thrives in moist conditions, making it an excellent choice for areas prone to dampness.
3. Bugleweed
Bugleweed, the woodland’s secret, thrives where few dare venture. Its spikes of blue flowers rise like sentinels, adding a touch of the wild to cultivated spaces.
This ground cover is a natural choice for areas under trees, where its adaptability shines. Bugleweed’s ability to form dense mats makes it a formidable weed suppressor.
Many might overlook its virtues, but Bugleweed is a beacon for pollinators, attracting bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich flowers. A plant with such ecological value deserves recognition in any garden.
4. Lamb’s Ear
With leaves as soft as an old friend’s embrace, Lamb’s Ear beckons you closer. Its silvery foliage, resembling the touch of velvet, offers a serene contrast in the garden.
Ideal for sunny spots, it forms a dense mat, keeping weeds at bay while providing a unique texture that’s both tactile and visual.
Beyond its beauty, Lamb’s Ear has been historically cherished for its practical uses. Its leaves were often used in herbal remedies, offering a glimpse into the plant’s multifaceted character, blending utility with gentle allure.
5. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny, with her cascading trails, brings a golden glow to gardens. Her vibrant lime leaves spill over edges like sunlit waterfalls, brightening even the dullest corners.
This perennial spreads eagerly, making it a wonderful choice for ground cover and even container gardening. While she thrives in moist soil, her hearty nature can adapt to various conditions.
Creeping Jenny’s charm is in her versatility. She isn’t just a pretty face; she fills spaces with vibrant life, transforming landscapes with her sunny disposition and resilience.
6. Houttuynia Cordata
Houttuynia Cordata, a chameleon in the plant world, showcases leaves of myriad hues. Its heart-shaped foliage can change color throughout the season, offering a dynamic visual spectacle.
Known for its hardiness, this ground cover can thrive in both sun and shade, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings. However, its vigorous nature requires occasional taming.
In the culinary world, Houttuynia Cordata holds its own, often used in Asian dishes. Its dual role as both an ornamental and a culinary herb adds layers to its garden presence.
7. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff, a whisper of the forest floor, enchants with its starry white blooms. Its scent, a gentle mix of fresh hay and vanilla, brings an unexpected fragrance to shaded gardens.
This perennial thrives in the cool embrace of shade, spreading quickly to form a soft mat that suppresses weeds. Sweet Woodruff’s charm is in its simplicity, offering both beauty and functionality.
Historically, Sweet Woodruff graced the courts of medieval Europe, where it was strewn on floors for its pleasant aroma. Its timeless appeal continues to captivate gardeners today.
8. Vinca Minor
Vinca Minor, the garden’s unsung hero, thrives where others falter. Its glossy leaves create a verdant backdrop, while periwinkle blooms add a touch of elegance.
This evergreen ground cover excels in difficult areas, such as slopes or under trees, where its tenacity shines. It offers a low-maintenance solution, withstanding drought and neglect with grace.
Beyond its practical benefits, Vinca Minor holds sentimental value for many. It has been a favorite in traditional gardens, offering continuity and charm across generations.
9. Corsican Mint
Corsican Mint, the diminutive powerhouse, invites you to take a breath. Its tiny leaves release an invigorating scent of peppermint, creating an olfactory delight whenever brushed.
This ground cover thrives in moist, shaded spots, forming a dense mat that’s perfect for sensory gardens. Though small, its presence is mighty, offering both aroma and beauty.
Corsican Mint’s culinary uses extend its appeal beyond the garden. Its leaves are often used to add a refreshing twist to dishes, highlighting its versatility and charm.
10. Brass Buttons
Brass Buttons, with its bronze hues, shines like nature’s treasure. Its fern-like leaves create intricate patterns, offering a rich tapestry to the garden’s floor.
Thriving in damp conditions, this ground cover is perfect for those tricky, moist areas. Its resilience and unique texture make it a choice plant for adding depth and interest.
Beyond its beauty, Brass Buttons has a playful side. Children and adults alike find joy in its soft, sprawling nature, making it as engaging to touch as it is to behold.
11. Blue Star Creeper
Blue Star Creeper, a celestial delight, dots garden paths with its sky-blue blooms. These tiny stars bring a gentle elegance, capturing the essence of the sky on earth.
Perfect for pathways, this ground cover endures foot traffic while maintaining its grace. It quickly fills spaces with its green carpet, complemented by a sprinkling of flowers.
For those seeking a low-profile yet enchanting plant, Blue Star Creeper is ideal. Its simple beauty belies a sturdy nature, effortlessly enhancing garden landscapes.
12. Ajuga Reptans
Ajuga Reptans, the unexpected warrior, stands tall with its deep blue spikes. These flowers, resembling sentinels, add a bold splash to the garden.
Its glossy foliage forms a dense mat, offering a striking contrast to its vibrant blooms. Ajuga thrives in a variety of conditions, from sun to shade, showcasing its adaptability.
This ground cover is more than just ornamental. Ajuga Reptans attracts pollinators, supporting the garden’s ecosystem while providing visual interest throughout the seasons.
13. Corsican Violet
Corsican Violet, with its regal blooms, transforms ordinary spaces into royal retreats. Its heart-shaped leaves provide a lush backdrop for the vivid purple flowers.
This ground cover prefers a balance of sun and shade, allowing its beauty to flourish in diverse settings. Its ability to spread easily makes it a favorite for filling gaps and adding color.
The Corsican Violet’s charm lies in its simplicity and elegance, offering a touch of sophistication to gardens. It’s a plant that effortlessly captivates with its gentle allure.
14. Snow in Summer
Snow in Summer, an ethereal presence, blankets gardens with its white blooms. This ground cover’s silvery foliage offers a striking contrast, creating a scene reminiscent of a winter wonderland.
Ideal for rocky or well-drained areas, it thrives in full sun, offering a cascade of flowers that capture the light. Its low-maintenance nature makes it a perennial favorite.
Beyond its visual appeal, Snow in Summer is known for its durability, standing up to heat and drought. It’s a plant that beautifully bridges the gap between fragility and strength.
15. Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera)
Strawberry Begonia, with its charming round leaves edged in red, often goes unnoticed in the plant world. This evergreen perennial forms delightful rosettes that spread via runners, much like strawberry plants. Its tiny, white flowers resemble stars, offering delicate blooms in shady corners of the garden.
Thriving in moist, well-drained soil, it’s perfect for spaces needing subtle beauty. Despite its name, it neither belongs to the begonia family nor produces strawberries.
Did you know? Originating from East Asia, it’s treasured for its ability to thrive under low light conditions, making it a versatile addition to any garden.