11 Most Beautiful Ground Cover Plants that are Easy to Grow in Your Garden
Ground cover plants are very beneficial, adaptable, and simple to maintain. They are visually pleasing, aid pollinators, inhibit weed growth, manage erosion, and grow well in hardy environments like the dry shade beneath trees. The majority are easy-care perennials that don’t need to be pruned, although low-growing annuals and shrubs can also be effective.
Ground coverings protect neighboring plants and improve the general health and look of the garden. They are perfect for replacing grass, creating shady patches, and filling in the gaps between stepping stones.
Verify that flowers and shrubs can withstand winters in your zone before planting, and take the planting area’s sun exposure into account. Full sun requires six or more hours of direct sunshine, while part sun necessitates three or fewer hours, and full shade entails little to no direct sunlight.
Be mindful of plant spacing; putting plants near to one another can speed up the intended outcome. For recommended spacing, always refer to the plant tags or descriptions.
To improve your backyard, we’ve compiled the top ground cover plants. We provide wonderful ground cover alternatives for all sizes of gardens, whether they are tiny or large.
Most Beautiful Ground Cover Plants With Name and Pictures
1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Aromatic and low-growing, creeping thyme grows best in hardiness zones 4 through 9. It grows into a dense mat of tiny, fragrant leaves and produces pretty pink, lavender, white or purple blooms in the spring. This resilient plant is drought-tolerant and perfect for xeriscaping or places with poor soil because it likes full sun, well-draining, sandy or loamy soil.
Very little watering is needed to keep Creeping Thyme looking great. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies and gives your environment a lovely pop of colour. It’s a great option for weed control since its dense growth inhibits weed development as well. This is the ideal plant for walks, rock gardens, or the spaces between stepping stones.
2. Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
The Ice Plant, a visually attractive succulent ground cover that thrives in hardiness zones 6 to 9. This plant can be found growing in full sun and well-draining, sandy soil. It has bright pink, magenta, or purple daisy-like flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
It is drought-resistant and low-maintenance due to the storage of water in its fleshy leaves. Because it has a wide root system and attracts butterflies and beneficial insects, the Ice Plant works well to control erosion on slopes. Perfect for rock gardens, borders, and coastal settings, it has a vivid appearance and requires little maintenance.
3. Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxatilis)
Basket-of-Gold is a hardy ground cover that thrives in zones 3–7. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
This low-maintenance plant looks great on sunny slopes, rock gardens, or borders, adding a bright, cheerful touch. Its versatility and ease of maintenance make it a good choice for new gardeners.
4. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping Phlox is a hardy ground cover that thrives in zones 3 through 9, with cascading masses of fragrant, star-shaped flowers in pink, lavender, white, purple or blue. It blooms in early spring, creating a colorful carpet.
This easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plant prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soil with full sun to light shade. Creeping Phlox, once established, is drought-tolerant and suitable for rock gardens, slopes, or as a border plant, drawing butterflies and bees to the garden.
5. Creeping Juniper (Juniper horizontalis)
Creeping Juniper is a low-growing evergreen ground cover that thrives in zones 3–9, with delicate blue-green leaves that becomes purplish in winter. It thrives in well-drained, sandy, or rocky soil with full sun and is extremely drought-tolerant, requiring little maintenance.
It is ideal for slope erosion management, as well as adding year-round interest to rock gardens and borders. Its spreading nature and capacity to cover wide areas make it a useful and visually appealing landscaping option.
6. Rock Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)
Rock Cotoneaster is a striking ground cover for zones 3-9, with a herringbone pattern of branches and glossy green leaves that turn reddish-orange in autumn. It blooms with white to pinkish flowers in the spring and bears red berries in the autumn.
This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant prefers well-drained, sandy, or rocky soil with full light. Ideal for rock gardens, cascading over walls, or as a low hedge, it attracts birds and provides protection for tiny creatures, increasing garden biodiversity.
7. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)
Bunchberry also known as Dwarf Dogwood, is a North American native ground cover plant with white flowers suitable for hardiness zones 2 to 6. It thrives in partial to complete shade and prefers moist, acidic soil.
This low-maintenance shrub produces little white flowers with beautiful bracts that mature into brilliant red berries in late summer, attracting birds. Bunchberry is ideal for cool, shady places and looks great in shaded borders, woodland gardens, or under deciduous trees.
8. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet Woodruff, a fragrant ground cover, thrives in hardiness zones 4–8. It thrives in full shade and wet, well-drained soil, with lance-shaped leaves and small, white star-like flowers in the spring.
This non-aggressive spreader is great for underplanting woodland gardens or as an edge plant. Its lovely perfume makes it ideal for dried flower arrangements and potpourri.
9. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Candytuft is an evergreen ground cover suitable for hardiness zones 3 to 9. It blooms fragrant white or pink flowers in the spring, against glossy green foliage.
It grows in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, forming dense mounds that attract butterflies and bees. Candytuft is a low-maintenance plant that adds brightness to any garden setting.
10. Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)
Pachysandra, a popular evergreen ground cover, thrives in hardiness zones 4-8. It flourishes in full shade and well-drained, moist soil, boasting glossy, dense leaves.
It is suitable for paths and shaded places because it requires little care and can withstand light foot activity. Pachysandra improves shaded borders, woodland gardens, and spaces under trees by providing lush vegetation to the landscape.
11. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny, sometimes known as Moneywort, is a robust ground cover that thrives in hardiness zones 4–9. Its trailing habit and vivid, golden-yellow leaf make a striking contrast in the garden. It thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, producing little yellow blooms in the summer.
Creeping Jenny is low-maintenance and flexible, so it can cascade over walls, spill from containers, or fill gaps between stepping stones, providing brilliant colour to any landscape.
Conclusion
Ground cover plants are the unsung garden heroes since they contribute greatly to the health and vibrancy of our outdoor spaces while also looking lovely. They are flexible, low-maintenance, and provide unending delight in any garden.
Imagine sparkling blossoms of Ice Plant or the delightful aroma of Creeping Thyme greeting you as you wander through your yard. Not only can these plants provide visual appeal, but they also attract bees and butterflies, transforming your garden into a bustling hub of activity.
Ground cover plants eagerly accompany your gardening journey. Whether you’re constructing a comfortable sanctuary or transforming a rocky area, they’re ready to thrive. Just pick the plants that best complement the style of your garden, give them a warm, cosy spot to grow, and watch how they turn your yard into a lush retreat that you will love to spend time in.
