Ground Covers: A Gardener's Efficient Ally in Maintaining a Vibrant Garden
Twenty vibrant ground cover options, effective at smothering unwanted weeds and adding charm to your landscape
For gardeners struggling with persistent weeds, ground covers can be a transformative solution. These low-growing plants, fitting seamlessly into various landscapes, effectively smother unwanted vegetation, leaving more room for desirable plants to thrive. In this list, discover some enchanting ground covers that not only elevate the aesthetics of your garden but also decrease maintenance efforts.
1. Creeping Jenny - A Cheerful Aura
From its vibrant chartreuse leaves that lively up any spot, Creeping Jenny is a swift-spreading plant that forms a dense, weed-smothering mat. Suited for paths or pots, it thrives under both full sun and part shade, and its colorful leaves maintain their allure throughout the growing season. Low-maintenance to a fault, this versatile gem is perfect for wet spots too.
2. Sweet Woodruff - An Enchanting Touch
Romantic and delicate, Sweet Woodruff boasts white flowers and whorled green leaves that bring a soft, dreamy charm to shaded areas. Ideal under trees, it forms a tight carpet that keeps weeds at bay naturally. As a bonus, its springtime scent rewards you when crushed. Its low growth enables it to thrive without becoming invasive.
3. Blue Star Creeper - Subtle Elegance, Maximum Impact
Its modest stature belies its strength; Blue Star Creeper is a hardy ground cover, covered in striking blue flowers during the spring and summer months. With an aptitude for forming a dense mat that chokes out weeds easily, it's suitable as a lawn alternative or stepping stone arrangement. Blue Star Creeper is remarkably drought-tolerant and can handle foot traffic in mild climates, making it an ideal addition to your garden.
4. Ajuga - The Eye-catching Underlay
Vivid purples, blues, and bronzes breathe life into your garden floor with Ajuga, or bugleweed. It spreads rapidly, filling gaps effectively and holding weeds at bay. Spiky flower clusters add vertical interest in the spring months, making it perfect for slopes or challenging shady spots where grass often suffers. Ajuga is tough, adaptable, and has striking colors that create a stunning contrast in mixed plantings.
5. Sedum - The Desert Defender
With an array of shapes and hues, from chartreuse to deep red, Sedums are your drought-loving allies. These succulent ground covers, hardy and notorious for their ability to thrive on neglect, form thick mats that block weeds in dry spots and rock gardens. They require minimal water and attention, ideal for those seeking low-maintenance solutions. Many varieties, such as Sedum 'Angelina', add texture and a pop of color all year long.
6. Moss Phlox - Spring's Star Performer
In the spring, this spectacular ground cover blankets the ground in shades of pink, purple, or white flowers, creating a stunning carpet that deters weeds from penetrating the dense mat. It revels in full sun and well-draining soil, perfect for hillside, rock garden, or border applications. Moss Phlox stays tidy even during the off-season, enduring droughts without a fuss.
7. Pachysandra - The Shade Savior
A seasoned performer in shady areas, Pachysandra has glossy green leaves that maintain their beauty year-round. This slow but steady spreader creates a thick mat that weeds can't intrude upon, excelling under trees where grass growth is inhibited. It's both deer- and rabbit-resistant, demonstrating its toughness and reliability. Once well-watered, it requires little maintenance.
8. Thyme - Fragrant and Functional
The charming Creeping Thyme forms a soft, herb-scented, weed-smothering mat, ideal for dry areas or walkways. Its petite purple or pink flowers attract pollinators in the summer months, and it's edible to boot! Its dense growth habit naturally repels weeds, making it a fantastic option for cottage gardens or between pavers.
9. Lamium - A Silver Stunner
Recognized as deadnettle, Lamium offers silvery foliage and pretty pink or purple blooms. In shaded spots, it quickly forms a dense, weed-resistant mat. Unlike many ground covers, it's both deer- and rabbit-resistant, earning its place in under shrubs or trees where other plants struggle to survive. It blooms on and off through the growing season, adding a touch of softness and a singular color palette to your garden.
10. Vinca Minor - Classic and Carefree
Discover Your Ideal Ground Cover Plant
Give your garden the perfect ground cover to suit your needs. Answer these questions to find your ideal match:
Your Ideal Ground Cover Plant
Also known as periwinkle, Vinca Minor is a robust ground cover known for its glossy blue-violet leaves and vulnerabilities. It rapidly covers vast areas, stopping weeds in their tracks. Ideal for slopes or shady beds, or erosion-prone spots, it remains evergreen and drought-tolerant once established. With minimal effort, it forms a lush, weed-free carpet all year round.
In our increasingly busy lives, finding solutions that require less effort but still yield great results can prove invaluable. Ground covers offer precisely that, offering aesthetics, reduced maintenance, and even assistance in soil erosion control. With this list of recommendations, tackle weeds and create a vibrant oasis in your garden with the least amount of fuss.
By incorporating ground covers like the Creeping Jenny, Sweet Woodruff, Blue Star Creeper, Ajuga, Sedum, Moss Phlox, Pachysandra, Thyme, Lamium, and Vinca Minor into your home-and-garden lifestyle, you can improve your lifestyle and garden aesthetics while reducing maintenance efforts. These ground covers serve as effective allies in maintaining a vibrant and bustling home-and-garden by smothering weeds, improving soil health, and elevating your lifestyle with their charming appeal.
