When it comes to creating a lush, beautiful garden, ground cover plants are a gardener’s best friend. Not only do these plants spread quickly, creating a thick carpet of greenery and blooms, but they also offer the perfect solution for hard-to-reach areas, like under trees, between stepping stones, or in rock gardens. What’s even better? Many ground covers are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and excellent at preventing soil erosion.
No matter you want to fill in gaps with vibrant blooms or create a seamless green carpet, there’s a ground cover for every type of garden.
Let’s dive into some of the best ground cover plants you can add to your garden this season.
Best Ground Cover Plants
1. Yellow Alyssum
Yellow Alyssum is a standout when it comes to providing both beauty and practicality. Known for its bright yellow blooms, this low-growing perennial is perfect for rock gardens and slopes where soil needs stabilizing. It thrives in dry, rocky conditions and creates a fast-growing ground cover that requires minimal care. This plant blooms in early spring, bringing a burst of sunshine to your garden before many other plants even start.
Why It’s Great: Not only does it offer a pop of color, but its ability to grow in poor soil and full sunlight makes it a top pick for gardeners in dry climates. Plus, the blooms attract bees, providing food for pollinators early in the season.
2. Creeping Mahonia
For a plant that spreads easily and thrives in partial shade, Creeping Mahonia is a great option. This evergreen ground cover boasts yellow blooms in late spring and produces berries that attract birds and wildlife. Its low maintenance nature makes it an excellent choice for gardeners who want a plant that will fill space without needing constant care.
Why It’s Great: Creeping Mahonia not only spreads beautifully but also supports biodiversity, attracting both pollinators and birds. It’s also hardy and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for rock gardens and natural areas.
3. Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)
Stonecrop, also known as sedum, is one of the easiest ground covers to grow. This succulent plant thrives in full sun and is incredibly drought-tolerant. It creates a thick carpet of tiny, fleshy leaves and blooms with star-shaped flowers in various colors, adding texture and beauty to your garden. Stonecrop is especially useful in rock gardens and can tolerate a variety of soil types.
Why It’s Great: This low-maintenance plant is perfect for gardeners who don’t have time for frequent watering or pruning. It’s tough, beautiful, and does a great job of preventing soil erosion on slopes or hills.
4. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Known for its striking large basal leaves, Coral Bells bring color to shady areas with their rich foliage, ranging from burgundy to lime green. In early summer, these plants produce delicate flower spikes that attract pollinators, including butterflies and bees. Coral Bells thrive in partial shade and provide excellent coverage in natural areas.
Why It’s Great: Coral Bells are both ornamental and practical. They can spread quickly in the right conditions, filling in bare spots while bringing a burst of foliage color to your garden.
5. Bugleweed (Ajuga)
If you’re looking for a fast-growing ground cover that can handle foot traffic and thrive in shady areas, Bugleweed is an excellent choice. This hardy perennial produces blue, purple, or white flowers in late spring and forms a dense mat of green, purple, or bronze foliage.
Why It’s Great: Bugleweed can handle a variety of soil types and conditions, making it an adaptable option for those looking to cover bare patches in the garden quickly. It’s also great for preventing soil erosion and works well in rock gardens or under trees.
6. Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.)
Hens and Chicks are perfect for adding texture to rock gardens. These succulent plants form low-growing rosettes and spread out quickly to create a thick carpet. They thrive in dry, rocky conditions and require almost no maintenance once established. Hens and Chicks bloom with small flowers in late summer, adding another dimension of beauty to your garden.
Why It’s Great: These fast-growing succulents are incredibly hardy and can survive extreme weather conditions. They require little water, making them perfect for gardeners who live in drought-prone areas.
7. Creeping Raspberry (Rubus calycinoides)
For a hardy ground cover with a unique texture, Creeping Raspberry is an excellent choice. This spreading ground cover forms a mat of rich green foliage that turns red in the fall. It produces small, white flowers in late spring, followed by inedible berries.
Why It’s Great: Creeping Raspberry is durable and can handle foot traffic, making it ideal for stepping stones and paths. It’s also a great option for shady areas or slopes where other plants may struggle to grow.
8. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
One of the most popular ground covers for filling in spaces between rocks or along garden paths, Creeping Thyme brings both beauty and functionality. This low maintenance plant produces pink, purple, or white flowers in early summer and releases a pleasant fragrance when stepped on. Creeping Thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens.
Why It’s Great: Besides being easy to grow, Creeping Thyme attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting local biodiversity while keeping your garden looking beautiful.
9. Lilyturf (Liriope)
Lilyturf is a grass-like ground cover plant that works well in shady areas or spots with partial shade. It produces spikes of purple or white flowers in late summer, adding color and texture to your landscape. Lilyturf is ideal for filling in large areas and is incredibly easy to maintain.
Why It’s Great: Lilyturf is a resilient and drought-tolerant plant that can withstand varying soil types and weather conditions, making it a great choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance yet attractive ground cover.
Conclusion
The key to follow is to select the right plants that suit your garden’s conditions. Ground cover plants like Creeping Thyme not only provide a durable and aromatic solution for filling spaces but also serve as a great option for preventing soil erosion on slopes and exposed areas. For those with rocky or challenging landscapes, choosing drought-tolerant options like Stonecrop ensures that your garden stays lush and beautiful without the need for frequent watering.
Moreover, ground covers can add a burst of color to your garden throughout the growing season. Coral Bells and Bugleweed not only cover the ground but also offer vibrant foliage and seasonal flowers, making your garden visually appealing. These flowering ground covers create a welcoming habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems while enhancing the beauty of your garden. Incorporating native plants, such as Creeping Mahonia, further strengthens biodiversity and ensures your garden is well-adapted to its environment.
In the end, the versatility of ground covers makes them essential for every gardener. Whether you’re aiming to cover bare spots, reduce weeds, or create a lush landscape that supports local wildlife, these plants offer the perfect solution. By selecting the right mix of ground covers, you’ll not only achieve a beautiful and cohesive garden but also ensure it thrives with minimal effort, giving you more time to sit back and enjoy your pristine lawn year-round.
