Ground cover plants are a fantastic way to add vibrant color and texture to any garden. These plants don’t just beautify a space; they also protect your soil, prevent weeds, and even help retain moisture. With so many varieties available, you can find the perfect ground cover plant to suit any part of your yard, whether it’s full sun, deep shade, or even a challenging slope.
Who doesn’t love a lush carpet of plants that stays colorful year after year. Unlike grass lawns, ground cover plants require minimal upkeep and thrive in spots where other plants struggle. From sunny borders and shady areas to slopes and fences, these hardy perennials can fill gaps and bring life to those bare patches.
Many ground covers, like aubrieta, offer beautiful blooms, while others provide lush foliage or unique textures. For gardens in warmer climates, Zone 9 ground cover plants offer fantastic options that stand up to heat and sun.
Whether you’re aiming for a burst of color, a hardy lawn alternative, or simply a low-maintenance option, this list of 40 ground cover plants will inspire you to transform your outdoor space. Explore them and find the ideal fit to create a beautiful, practical, and easy-to-manage garden!
Benefits of Ground Cover Plants
Ground cover plants offer a wealth of benefits for your garden, enhancing both its beauty and functionality. By choosing ground cover instead of lawn, you’ll create a lush, low-maintenance landscape that thrives in various conditions.
These plants effectively suppress weeds, reduce soil erosion, and retain moisture, making them ideal for any garden. Vibrant patches of colorful ground cover perennials like creeping phlox or evening primrose help soften hard edges. They also invite pollinators to your space.
When you select the best ground cover plants, you not only add visual appeal but also promote biodiversity. Plus, their versatility allows you to use them in sunny spots or shaded areas, ensuring a stunning garden year-round. Trust me, you’ll love the transformative power of ground covers!
Top Flowering Ground Covers
So, you want a garden carpeted with vibrant blooms that dance in the breeze, huh? These flowering shrubs do add some splashes of color and life to your landscape. For stunning ground cover flowers that thrive in full sun, consider Creeping Phlox, with its dazzling shades of pink, purple, and white.
Barren Strawberry offers delightful yellow flowers amidst its lush foliage, while Basket-of-Gold effortlessly brightens up pathways with its golden blooms. Evening Primrose, a true sun-lover, fills your garden with cheerful yellow flowers in mid-summer.
Each of these carpet flowers plants not only enhances your garden’s beauty but also attracts beneficial pollinators. Embrace these flowering ground covers to create a vibrant, colorful tapestry that invites joy and life into your outdoor space.
Best Foliage Ground Covers
You can transform your garden into a lush haven with the best foliage ground covers that provide texture and interest year-round. Consider the stunning aubrieta ground cover, with its vibrant purple blooms and lush green foliage, adding a splash of color to any garden.
For those tricky ground cover for shady areas, search no more than European Ginger, which boasts glossy leaves that thrive in low light. You can also incorporate colorful foliage plants like Japanese Forest Grass, whose golden hues create a striking contrast against darker areas.
These foliage ground covers not only enhance your garden’s aesthetics but also promote healthy soil and reduce weeds, making them a smart, beautiful choice for any landscape.
Drought-Resistant Options
The beauty and resilience of drought-resistant ground covers can create a vibrant garden that thrives even in dry conditions. These drought-resistant groundcovers, like creeping thyme and hardy ice plant, bring color and texture while conserving water.
For those in zone 9, consider options like dianthus, which flourishes under the sun and showcases lovely blooms. If you have sloped areas, hardy ice plant is perfect for erosion control while adding visual interest.
With their low-maintenance needs and ability to withstand harsh conditions, these plants are essential for a sustainable garden. Your outdoor space will soon turn into a stunning display of drought-tolerant beauty that requires minimal effort and care!
Here are some of the most beautiful but easy to plant ground covers for your garden:
Prostrate Veronica
Prostrate Veronica, also known as creeping speedwell, is a charming ground cover that brings vibrant blue flowers to your garden in the spring. This low-growing perennial typically reaches a height of only 4 to 6 inches, making it perfect for filling in gaps and creating a lush carpet of color. Thriving in zones 3 to 8, it prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
Dianthus
Dianthus, commonly known as pinks or carnations, is a delightful addition to any garden, celebrated for its charming flowers and fragrant aroma. This versatile plant can reach heights of up to 30 inches and thrives in hardiness zones 3-8. Dianthus prefers well-drained soil and full sun, making it a perfect choice for sunny borders and garden beds. Whether you choose to grow it for its vibrant colors or lovely scent, Dianthus is sure to bring a touch of beauty to your outdoor space!
Bloody Cranesbill
Bloody Cranesbill is a stunning perennial that adds a splash of color to any garden. Known for its beautiful blue and purple flowers that bloom in May and June, this plant’s foliage transforms to a brilliant red in the fall, making it a vibrant choice for year-round interest. It typically grows about 1 foot tall and thrives in hardiness zones 4-8, preferring well-drained soil and a sunny to partially shaded location.
Hardy Ice Plant
The Hardy Ice Plant is a fantastic choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of color and texture to their landscape. This resilient groundcover features succulent foliage and produces cheerful flowers that bloom continuously from late spring to fall. It typically grows up to 6 inches tall and thrives in hardiness zones 5-10, preferring well-drained soil and full sun conditions. Plus, it’s great for erosion control, making it both beautiful and functional in your garden!
Evening Primrose
Evening Primrose is a delightful plant that brings a splash of sunshine to any garden with its bright yellow flowers that bloom in midsummer. This native plant grows to a height of about 1 to 3 feet and thrives in hardiness zones 4 to 9. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, making it a great addition to sunny spots in your landscape where it can spread its cheerful blossoms.
Crested Iris
Crested Iris is a delightful groundcover that brings charm to shady woodland gardens with its graceful foliage and delicate flowers. Growing up to 9 inches tall, this plant thrives in hardiness zones 3-9 and prefers well-drained soil with partial to full shade. It’s a carefree option that adds a touch of beauty to any garden space while requiring minimal maintenance!
Epimedium
Epimedium, commonly known as barrenwort, is a delightful shade-loving groundcover that thrives in dry conditions, making it perfect for woodland gardens or shaded areas in your yard. With its delicate, heart-shaped leaves and charming flowers that bloom in spring, this plant adds a touch of elegance and color to your landscape. Epimedium typically grows to about 8 inches tall and is hardy in zones 3-9, preferring well-drained soil and partial to full shade.
Mondo Grass
Mondo Grass, also known as Ophiopogon planiscapus, is a fantastic evergreen groundcover that adds a lush, green touch to any garden. It forms dense clumps of strappy leaves that can reach up to 24 inches tall, making it an attractive choice for borders or as a filler in shaded areas. Thriving in zones 6-10, Mondo Grass prefers well-drained soil and is quite tolerant of heat and humidity, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners looking to create a vibrant, green space.
Leadwort
Leadwort is a stunning groundcover that brings a pop of color to your garden with its electric-blue flowers, which bloom starting in late summer. This resilient plant typically grows up to 12 inches tall and thrives in hardiness zones 5-9. Leadwort prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate a variety of conditions, making it an excellent choice for sunny spots or partial shade in your landscape.
Lamium
Lamium, also known as dead nettle, is a charming and easy-care groundcover that thrives in shady spots. With its vibrant silver-marked foliage and delicate flowers that bloom in spring, this plant adds a lovely touch to any garden. It typically grows up to 8 inches tall and is hardy in zones 4-8, preferring well-drained soil and partial to full shade.
Pussytoes
Pussytoes, known for their charming, fuzzy flower clusters, are delightful low-growing plants that add a unique touch to any garden. Typically reaching about 6 to 12 inches in height, they thrive in hardiness zones 3 to 9 and prefer full sun and well-drained soil. These resilient plants are perfect for rock gardens, borders, or as ground cover, showcasing their adorable flowers in late spring to early summer.
Golden Moneywort
Golden Moneywort is a charming groundcover that forms lush mats of tiny chartreuse leaves, adding a vibrant splash of color to your garden. This plant thrives in moist soil and can tolerate partial shade, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings. It typically reaches a height of about 6 inches and is hardy in zones 3-7, making it a great option for those looking to enhance their landscape with a low-maintenance and attractive groundcover.
Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is a delightful groundcover known for its soft, fuzzy leaves and charming spikes of purple to pink flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. This low-growing plant typically reaches up to 18 inches tall and thrives in hardiness zones 4-7, making it a versatile choice for many gardens. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, which helps it flourish and creates a beautiful, low-maintenance addition to your landscape.
Golden Star Plant
The Golden Star Plant is a delightful groundcover that adds a splash of brightness to any garden, especially in shaded areas. This plant, with its vibrant yellow flowers, forms a spreading mat that is perfect for creating a lush, carpet-like effect in woodland gardens. It typically grows up to 12 inches tall and thrives in hardiness zones 5-9, preferring well-drained soil and partial to full shade for ideal growth.
Bunchberry
Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a delightful native groundcover that thrives in shady areas, making it perfect for woodland gardens. This charming plant features small, white flowers that bloom in the spring, followed by attractive red berries in the summer, adding color and interest to your landscape. Bunchberry typically grows up to 6 inches tall and is hardy in zones 2-7, preferring moist, well-drained soil in partial to full shade.
Sedum
Sedum, commonly known as stonecrop, is a delightful and resilient succulent that brings beauty and texture to any garden. This low-growing plant typically reaches sizes of 6 to 24 inches tall, depending on the variety, and thrives in hardiness zones 3 to 9. Sedum loves full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens, borders, or as a ground cover that can withstand drought conditions. With its fleshy leaves and vibrant flowers, sedum is not just hardy but also a visual treat!
Creeping Phlox
Creeping Phlox is a delightful groundcover that brings a burst of color to any garden. With its dense mats of narrow green leaves, it blooms in vibrant shades of pink, white, purple, and red, creating a stunning display in spring. This low-growing plant reaches a height of up to 8 inches and thrives in hardiness zones 3-9, making it perfect for full sun and well-drained soil conditions. Its cheerful flowers are not just pretty; they also attract pollinators, adding life to your outdoor space!
Hellebore
Hellebore is a stunning perennial that blooms in late winter, bringing color to your garden when most other plants are still dormant. With its elegant flowers that can range from white to deep purple, it’s a favorite among gardeners who appreciate its beauty and resilience. This plant typically grows up to 3 feet tall and thrives in zones 4-9, preferring dry, shady areas with well-drained soil.
Heartleaf Brunnera
Heartleaf Brunnera, also known as False Forget-Me-Not, is a charming groundcover that features heart-shaped leaves and delicate, tiny sky-blue flowers that bloom in spring. This lovely plant can reach heights of up to 3 feet, making it an eye-catching addition to any garden. It thrives in zones 3-8, preferring part to full shade and well-drained soil, making it perfect for those shady spots in your landscape.
Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is a charming and versatile perennial that adds a touch of elegance to any garden with its lovely, crinkled leaves and delicate chartreuse flowers. This plant typically grows up to 18 inches tall and thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-7. It prefers well-drained soil and can flourish in various light conditions, from full sun to partial shade, making it an excellent choice for cottage gardens or as a groundcover.
Basket-of-Gold
Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxatilis) is a charming and vibrant ground cover plant that brings a splash of color to your garden in early spring. With its bright yellow flowers blooming from April to May, this perennial thrives in sunny locations and is perfect for filling in gaps between paving stones or along walkways. It typically grows up to 12 inches tall and is suitable for hardiness zones 3-7, thriving best in well-drained soil.
Christmas Fern
The Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a beautiful evergreen plant that adds lush greenery to any garden, especially in shaded areas. It features feathery fronds that can grow up to 3 feet tall and spread to 2 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for filling out woodland gardens. This hardy fern thrives in zones 3-9 and prefers well-drained soil with partial to full shade, making it a versatile addition to your landscape throughout the year.
European Ginger
European Ginger is a charming groundcover plant that features glossy, heart-shaped leaves, making it a lovely addition to any shady garden. This plant can grow up to 4 inches tall and thrives in hardiness zones 4-8, where it forms sizable colonies. Preferring moist, well-drained soil, European Ginger is an excellent choice for adding lush greenery to areas that receive little sunlight.
Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass is a stunning perennial that adds a unique texture to any garden with its graceful, flowing mounds of foliage. This grass features beautiful gold and chartreuse shades that create a vibrant contrast in shaded areas. It typically grows up to 2 feet tall and thrives in hardiness zones 5-9, preferring well-drained soil and partial to full shade for ideal growth.
Brass Buttons
Brass Buttons is a charming evergreen groundcover that adds a lush touch to your garden with its fern-like foliage. This low-growing plant typically reaches about 6 inches tall and thrives in hardiness zones 4-7. It flourishes in well-drained soil and can tolerate foot traffic, making it a fantastic choice for pathways or areas that need a resilient cover.
Hens-and-Chicks
Hens-and-Chicks, also known as Sempervivum, are charming succulent plants that thrive in a variety of garden settings. With their rosette-shaped clusters and vibrant colors ranging from green to deep red, they make a delightful addition to rock gardens or containers. These hardy plants typically reach a size of 6 to 12 inches wide and are suitable for zones 3-9. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them perfect for low-maintenance gardening.
Barren Strawberry
Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) is a delightful groundcover that brings a touch of beauty to your garden with its dense, spreading clumps of strawberry-like foliage. In the spring, it boasts charming small yellow flowers that add a splash of color to any landscape. This hardy plant typically reaches a height of about 1 foot and thrives in hardiness zones 4-8, preferring well-drained soil and partial to full sun for ideal growth.
Pennsylvania Sedge
Pennsylvania Sedge is a versatile and attractive groundcover that thrives in shady areas, making it a perfect choice for woodland gardens. This low-growing plant typically reaches up to 12 inches tall and spreads quickly, creating a lush green carpet under trees and shrubs. It flourishes in hardiness zones 3-9 and prefers full to part shade, making it an excellent option for those tricky, low-light spots in your garden.
Soapwort
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) is a charming perennial that adds delightful beauty to any garden with its clusters of pink or white flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. This hardy plant grows to about 1-2 feet tall and thrives in zones 3-8, making it a versatile choice for various climates. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and, notably, its leaves can be used to create a natural soap, hence the name!
Snow-in-Summer
Snow-in-Summer, also known by its scientific name Cerastium tomentosum, is a delightful ground cover that features silvery-green foliage adorned with a profusion of white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. This charming plant creates a stunning carpet of color, perfect for brightening up garden beds or cascading over rocks. It typically grows up to 12 inches tall, thrives in hardiness zones 3-7, and prefers full sun with well-drained soil to truly flourish.
Armeria
Armeria, commonly known as sea thrift, is a charming low-growing perennial that adds vibrant color to any garden with its clusters of bright pink or white flowers. This delightful plant typically reaches a height of up to 8 inches and thrives in hardiness zones 3-9. Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, Armeria blooms beautifully from late spring to early summer, making it a perfect choice for rock gardens or as a cheerful border plant.
Tips for Planting and Care
When it comes to planting your ground cover plants, the right approach can make all the difference in their success.
- Start by selecting low-maintenance groundcovers suited for your specific environment—whether you need vibrant blooms for sunny spots or lush greenery for shaded areas.
- If you’re planting ground cover along a fence, make sure the soil is well-drained and enriched with organic matter to promote healthy growth.
- Water your plants regularly, especially during their first few weeks, to establish strong roots. As they mature, these hardy plants will require less attention.
- Don’t forget to prune occasionally to maintain their shape and encourage denser growth. This will make sure your garden stays vibrant and inviting all season long.
With so many beautiful ground cover perennials to choose from, there’s truly something for every garden. Whether you’re filling a shady area, adding color along a fence, or replacing a traditional lawn, these plants make it easy to achieve a stunning, low-maintenance landscape.
Which ground cover flowers or plants are you excited to try? Do you have a favorite for sunny spots, or maybe one that works wonders on a slope? Share your top picks in the comments, and let’s inspire each other to create lush, vibrant gardens filled with color, texture, and charm!
