Perennial ground covers are the unsung heroes of the garden, offering a plethora of benefits with minimal upkeep. These versatile plants help in controlling erosion, suppressing weeds, and providing a lush backdrop that highlights other garden plants.
Whether your garden basks in the sun, enjoys partial shade, or is nestled in a cooler, shadier spot, there’s a ground cover that fits the bill. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the 15 best perennial ground covers for varying garden conditions, ensuring you find the perfect match for your green space.
Best Ground Covers that come back every year
🌞 Sun-Loving Ground Covers
1. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Zones: 3–9
Height: 4–6 inches
Features: Forms a dense mat with vibrant spring blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white. Ideal for slopes and rock gardens.
Ideal for bringing vibrant colors to your garden in early spring, Creeping Phlox thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It forms a dense mat that can cover large areas quickly, making it a favorite for rock gardens and slopes. The maintenance is minimal, requiring only occasional watering and trimming to keep it tidy.
2. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Creeping Thyme is another plant grown near the garden bed that helps in attracting bees
Zones: 4–9
Height: 2–4 inches
Features: Aromatic foliage with tiny purple flowers. Tolerates light foot traffic and attracts pollinators.
This aromatic ground cover not only adds beauty with its tiny purple flowers but also serves a practical purpose by tolerating light foot traffic. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and once established, it’s drought-tolerant, reducing the need for regular watering.
3. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Zones: 3–9
Height: Varies by variety
Features: Succulent leaves with star-shaped flowers. Drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soils.
With varieties that offer a range of heights and colors, Sedum is a versatile choice for sunny spots. It’s particularly forgiving of poor soil and drought conditions, making it ideal for those challenging areas in the garden where other plants might struggle.
4. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Zones: 4–8
Height: 6–12 inches
Features: Soft, silvery foliage with purple flower spikes. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Known for its soft, silvery foliage, Lamb’s Ear adds texture and contrast to the garden. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and while it’s relatively low-maintenance, it may require occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.
5. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Bugleweed
Zones: 4–10
Height: 6–9 inches
Features: Glossy leaves with blue flower spikes in spring. Spreads quickly and suppresses weeds.
If you’re looking to suppress weeds while adding color and texture, Bugleweed is an excellent choice. Its glossy leaves and blue flower spikes in spring can spread quickly, making it an effective ground cover. However, it may require regular monitoring to prevent it from encroaching on other plants.
🌤️ Partial Shade Ground Covers
6. Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)
Lilyturf is another ideal plant to grow in your shaded porch
Zones: 5–10
Height: 12–18 inches
Features: Grass-like foliage with purple flower spikes. Tolerates a range of light conditions and is drought-resistant.
This versatile plant can thrive in a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. Its grass-like foliage and purple flower spikes make it a visually appealing option that’s also drought-resistant once established.
7. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny
Zones: 3–9
Height: 2–4 inches
Features: Bright green to golden foliage that spreads rapidly. Ideal for moist, shaded areas.
With its bright green to golden foliage, Creeping Jenny is a fast-spreader that’s ideal for moist, shaded areas. It requires minimal maintenance but benefits from occasional trimming to keep its growth in check.
8. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Woodruff
Zones: 4–8
Height: 6–12 inches
Features: Whorled leaves with small white flowers in spring. Fragrant and excellent for shady spots.
This fragrant plant is excellent for shady spots, offering whorled leaves and delicate white flowers in spring. It’s relatively low-maintenance but prefers moist, well-drained soil to thrive.
9. Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)
Brunnera is another attractive plant to grow in your shaded porch
Zones: 3–8
Height: 12–18 inches
Features: Heart-shaped leaves with blue, forget-me-not-like flowers. Prefers moist, shaded areas.
Brunnera’s heart-shaped leaves and blue, forget-me-not-like flowers make it a standout in partially shaded gardens. It prefers moist conditions, so regular watering may be necessary in drier climates.
10. Epimedium (Barrenwort)
Though the Barrenwort has bitter leaves, it has attractive blooms that can add a splash of color in your shaded porch
Zones: 5–9
Height: 6–12 inches
Features: Delicate, heart-shaped leaves with spring blooms. Tolerates dry shade and is deer-resistant.
Known for its delicate appearance and durability, Epimedium can tolerate dry shade and is deer-resistant, making it an excellent option for challenging garden areas. Its heart-shaped leaves and spring blooms add a touch of elegance.
🌳 Shade-Tolerant Ground Covers
11. Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)
Pachysandra
Zones: 4–8
Height: 6–12 inches
Features: Evergreen foliage that forms a dense mat. Ideal for deep shade and under trees.
If you have a deeply shaded garden, Pachysandra is a robust option that forms a dense evergreen mat. It’s ideal for covering large shaded areas under trees, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
12. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Wild Ginger is good for low-maintenance houseplants that thrive in the shade of the trees
Zones: 4–6
Height: 6–12 inches
Features: Heart-shaped leaves with unique, ground-level flowers. Prefers moist, shaded environments.
With its unique, ground-level flowers and heart-shaped leaves, Wild Ginger is a fascinating choice for moist, shaded gardens. It’s low-maintenance but may benefit from occasional watering in dry conditions.
13. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Zones: 3–9
Height: 6–12 inches
Features: Fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers in spring. Spreads readily in shaded areas.
Known for its fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers, Lily of the Valley spreads readily in shaded areas. While it’s a beautiful addition, it’s important to note that it’s also toxic if ingested, so caution is advised in gardens with pets or children.
14. Moss (Bryophyta spp.)
Zones: Varies
Height: 1–2 inches
Features: Forms a soft, green carpet in moist, shaded areas. Requires minimal maintenance.
For a truly low-maintenance option, consider adding moss to your shaded garden areas. It forms a soft, green carpet that requires little care beyond ensuring the area remains moist.
15. Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Hosta bring lush succulent leaves in various hues and shapes to the shadow landscape beneath the trees
Zones: 3–9
Height: Varies by variety
Features: Large, lush leaves in various shades of green. Tolerates deep shade and adds texture.
Hostas are a popular choice for shaded gardens, offering large, lush leaves in various shades of green. They’re remarkably shade-tolerant and add significant texture and variety to the garden.
Conclusion
Perennial ground covers offer an array of options for gardeners looking to enhance their outdoor spaces with low-maintenance, visually appealing plants. Whether your garden enjoys the full sun, dabbles in partial shade, or is nestled in a cool, shaded area, there’s a ground cover that can meet your needs.
By selecting the right plants for your specific conditions, you can enjoy a lush, vibrant garden with minimal effort for years to come.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.